We are recruiting !!!!!

The Palominas Fire District currently has open intern-firefighter positions. We are seeking anyone that is interested in a career in Fire & EMS to join our team.

JOB DESCRIPTION

Position Title: Student Intern Firefighter

Reports To: Shift Supervisor (Captain) or Assistant Fire Chief

Status: Volunteer – College Stipend/Scholarships

FLSA Status: Exempt

POSITION SUMMARY

An Intern Firefighter program consists of unpaid ‘volunteers’, who are individuals interested in being part of a Fire Protection or EMS protection program. These individuals may be interested in seeking a career or those who just want to be involved in their community protection. The intent of our Intern program is to life experiences in the Fire/EMS service, in which they can build experience to help with obtaining a career position in any Fire/EMS organization after graduation.  The interns may receive a scholarship, paid directly to the college, to help offset tuition costs.  There is no guarantee of employment after completion of the internship.

The Volunteer Firefighter/Emergency Medical Technician (Volunteer FF/EMT) serves the community by responding to a wide variety of situations, ranging from emergencies that immediately threaten life or property to routine citizen requests for information or assistance. They perform within the scope of the policies and procedures of Palominas Fire District and they perform duties in the following general categories: fire suppression, emergency medical aid or rescue, hazardous material responses, training, water rescue, technical rescue, public education, prevention and other duties. The Volunteer FF/EMT normally works under the supervision of a company officer and is expected to function effectively as part of a highly trained team. They are also expected to perform their duties under adverse conditions and physical conditions that may pose a high risk of personal injury or exposure to hazardous conditions or infectious diseases.

The Volunteer FF/EMT is required to attend regularly scheduled training in order to maintain the high level of knowledge, skill and ability necessary to function safely and effectively as a firefighter and EMS provider in accordance with state law, county protocols, and standard operating procedures.

The work performance of a Volunteer firefighter/EMT is continuously evaluated for general knowledge, skill proficiency, and ability to work as part of a team. Any deficiencies are corrected through remedial training.

This is an ‘At Will’, volunteer position.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED

An Intern Firefighter works under the general direction and supervision of Shift Supervisor/Captain or the Assistant Fire Chief, and under the direction of the Incident Commander or Division Supervisor at emergency scenes.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES  

• Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing; ability to understand and carry out verbal and written instructions using the English language.

• Obtain or possesses and maintain certification as an EMT-Basic or IV Tech, or Paramedic, when eligible per State standards.
• Maintain physical conditioning necessary to perform efficiently in emergency situations; meet medical and physical agility standards as established.
• Learn the geography of the District, the location of important buildings and the street system.
• Participate in training drills; attend school and classes on fire fighting, hydraulics, first aid and emergency medicine, fire equipment, and apparatus, and other classes associated with recognized fire fighter and EMT standards.
• Learn and apply technical information pertaining to fire fighting.
• Assist career staff in performing protective inspections of structures and businesses in the community for fire hazards and pre-incident surveys for tactical planning.
• Assist career staff in conducting fire-safety education classes.
• Analyze and cope with a variety of emergency situations calmly but effectively and to react quickly to secure accurate and precise information on the location, extent, and nature of fires and emergency aid requests.
• Sustain heavy physical labor during periods of intense activity in emergency situations; to work at varying heights above grade.
• Work within a para-military organization and respond readily to directives.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with co-workers, supervisors, and the general public; to work effectively as a team member.
• Assist career staff in updating map book for new additions, streets, and complexes for use in emergencies.
• Service and operate all District equipment and apparatus.
• Perform necessary maintenance, testing and care of fire hoses, trucks, ladders, and auxiliary equipment and apparatus.
• Prevent waste and damage of materials, supplies, and equipment.
• Perform general maintenance and minor repairs to station facilities; perform assigned janitorial activities and minor maintenance and painting.
• Perform community service activities.
• Maintain necessary records and reports, incident forms, and daily shift operation logs, to accommodate needs of the district including computer data entry.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Interns must be 18 years of age or older

·         Must be a high school graduate or passed GED requirements

·         Possess and maintain a valid Arizona Driver’s License

·         Proof of eligibility to work within the United States as per I-9 form requirements

·         Successful background and driving record check

·         Must be insurable by the Palominas Fire District insurance carrier

·         Successfully pass a UA drug screen

·         Physical ability to climb into and out of apparatus cabs; deploy water supply hoselines; operate fire pumps; and set-up portable water tanks working with another firefighter or Water Tender Driver/Operator

·         Ability to hear and communicate via radio communications and face to face communications with substantial background noise as experienced in emergency situations

·         Speak, read, and write the English language

·         Ability to safely drive an emergency vehicle during either day or night  in situations that my include congested traffic, unimproved roadways, and in unfavorable weather conditions

• Maximum of 6 Firefighter Interns at any given time
• Interns must be 18 years of age or older
• Interns must be enrolled (or accepted) into a Firefighting or EMS program at either Cochise College or U of A South, and have
  • Current CPR Card
  • High School Diploma or GED
  • Valid Driver’s License
  • Overall GPA of 2.0 or better (and maintain GPA to remain in program)

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

·         Ability to…

§  work independently or as a member of a team

§  follow directions and establish and maintain harmonious relations with others, both inside and outside the organization

§  The ability to maintain composure in emergency situations

§  effectively communicate, both verbally and in writing

§  follow verbal and written instructions

§  take effective decisive actions under stressful and adverse conditions

§  wear appropriate protective gear such as hardhat, gloves, reflective vests

PHYSICAL AND MENTAL DEMANDS

The physical and mental demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Physical Demands

Work is performed primarily in the fire station, then on emergency medical scenes, mass casualty, fire scenes and extra ordinary events as they occur. Performing tasks under emergency conditions may require strenuous exertion. The exposure to death, emotional stress, patients with contagious diseases and terminal illnesses can be expected.

Mental Demands

While performing the duties of this position, the employee will be regularly required to use written and oral communication skills; read and interpret data, information and documents; analyze and solve problems; use math and mathematical reasoning; observe and interpret situations; learn and apply new information or skills; and interact with fire district members, other organizations and the public.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those personnel encounter while performing the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.  Work is performed in a vehicle or outdoor setting in all weather conditions, including temperature extremes.  Work is often performed in emergency and stressful situations.  Personnel are exposed to sirens and hazards associated with fighting fires and rendering emergency medical assistance, including infectious substances, smoke noxious odors, fumes, chemicals, liquid chemicals, solvents and oils.  The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate, except during certain firefighting or EMS activities when noise levels may be loud.  Training sessions are usually held in a classroom setting or on a training drill ground.

Definition

A Volunteer Firefighter program consists of unpaid ‘volunteers’, who are individuals interested in being part of a Fire Protection or EMS protection program. These individuals may be interested in seeking a career or those who just want to be involved in their community protection. The intent of our volunteer program is to life experiences in the Fire/EMS service, in which they can build experience to help with obtaining a career position in any Fire/EMS organization after graduation.  The interns may receive a scholarship, paid directly to the college, to help offset tuition costs.  There is no guarantee of employment after completion of the internship.

Palominas Firefighter Intern Program Overview

• Maximum of 6 Firefighter Interns at any given time
• Interns must be 18 years of age or older
• Interns must be enrolled (or accepted) into a Firefighting or EMS program at either Cochise College or U of A South, and have
  • Current CPR Card
  • High School Diploma or GED
  • Valid Driver’s License
  • Overall GPA of 2.0 or better (and maintain GPA to remain in program)
• Interns will be assigned to one of our three 24-hour duty shifts, and will ‘work’ with their assigned shift unless at school or on school breaks/holidays
• Student Interns will participate in shift activities and experience the duties of a career firefighter.

The program is designed to mesh with the Fire and/or EMS curriculum at either of the colleges by providing practical experience in the Fire/EMS profession.  Student Interns will get hands on experience in firefighting, EMS, and apparatus operation.  In addition, Student Interns will participate in our training programs and will have specific training goals each semester.

Student Interns will be evaluated by their assigned Fire Captain each semester, and with a satisfactory evaluation, may be invited to participate in the program for the next semester.

Compensation

This is an unpaid volunteer intern position.   However, Student Interns may be eligible for a scholarship stipend for each month of satisfactory performance.  It is intended that a $200 a month scholarship stipend be awarded.  The scholarship would be paid directly to the college to offset costs of the Student Intern’s education.  Uniforms and protective gear will be issued at no cost to the Student Intern.

Duties

A Student Intern is expected to be on duty with his/her assigned shift when not attending classes or during school recognized holidays and breaks.  These are 24-hour shifts, averaging 10-shifts per month.  While on a duty status, Student Interns will participate in daily duties such as housekeeping, apparatus checks, and other tasks that are assigned to an on-duty shift.   This can include hose testing, fire hydrant checks, facility maintenance, training, etc.  On emergency calls, the Student Intern will participate to the level of his/her training.  The Student Intern may be assigned to provide patient care, firefighting, or apparatus driving and operation activities under the direction of the on-duty Fire Captain or other assigned crew member.

As we develop the specifics of the program, we will be following the narrow guidelines from the US Department of Labor as it relates to intern programs.