Firefighter/Paramedic

POSITION SUMMARY: Protects life and property by performing fire fighting, emergency medical care, rescue, hazardous materials, fire prevention, and other duties as assigned. All work that is carried out is done in the best interest of the OAFED, and in a way that places customer service as a priority of the OAFED. Essential Duties and Responsibilities: Performs firefighting activities including driving fire apparatus, operating pumps and related equipment, laying hose, and performing fire suppression tasks. Performs salvage operations such as throwing salvage covers, sweeping water, and removing debris. Performs emergency medical activities, including administering emergency medical care and providing other assistance as required. Participates in continuing education and attends classes in firefighting, emergency medical care, hazardous materials, and related subjects. Operates portable and mobile radios and other communication equipment per policy. Participates in the inspection of buildings, hydrants, and other structures in fire prevention programs. Maintains fire apparatus, ambulances, and associated equipment and supplies. Performs minor repairs to departmental equipment. Performs general maintenance work in the upkeep of fire facilities and equipment; cleans and washes walls and floors; cares for grounds around the station; makes minor repairs; washes hangs, and dries hose; washes, cleans, polishes, maintains, and tests apparatus and equipment. Assists in developing plans for special assignments such as emergency preparedness, hazardous communications, training programs, firefighting, hazardous materials, and emergency medical activities. Writes reports and completes all related paperwork relative to tasks assigned. Presents programs to the community on safety, medical, and fire prevention topics. Performs other duties as assigned by supervisors. Ability to climb ladders and work at considerable heights and/or below grade in confined spaces. PERIPHERAL DUTIES: Assists in department supervisory and administrative activities as assigned. Assists in the supervision of paid-on-call, paid-on-premise, and intern firefighters and EMTs as required as an extension of their assigned shift Captain. Assists in training new employees as assigned. Participates in department-sponsored community events, programs, fire prevention activities, etc. SUPERVISION RECEIVED: Works under the general supervision of a Fire Captain, and/or administration. SUPERVISION EXERCISED: May assist in coordinating, instructing, or supervising the work of paid-on-call and paid-on-premise firefighters and EMTs, and Interns as assigned. QUALIFICATIONS: Required Education, Certificates, and Licensures: High school diploma or GED equivalent State of Wisconsin Firefighter I & II Certification Wisconsin Advanced Emergency Medical Technician All staff in this position shall have a State of Wisconsin EMT-Paramedic license by July 1, 2022, and shall maintain this licensure for the duration of employment. State of Wisconsin Driver Operator - Pumper (obtain one year after hire date) Valid State of Wisconsin Drivers License Preferred Education, Certificates, and Licensures: Associate’s degree or higher in a related field ICS 100, 200, 300, 700, and 800 BLS Instructor State of Wisconsin Fire Inspector State of Wisconsin Emergency Services Instructor State of Wisconsin Fire Officer I Necessary Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: Working knowledge of driver safety; working knowledge of emergency medical care: Ability to learn the operation of fire suppression and other emergency equipment; Ability to learn to apply standard firefighting, emergency medical care, hazardous materials, and fire prevention techniques. Ability to perform strenuous or peak physical effort during emergency, training, or station maintenance activities for prolonged periods under conditions of extreme heights, intense heat, cold, or smoke. Ability to act effectively in emergency and stressful situations. Ability to follow verbal and written instructions. Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing. Ability to establish effective working relationships with employees, other agencies, and the general public. Ability to meet the special requirements listed below. SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS; Entry Level: Must be 21 years or older at the time of employment; Must possess, or be able to obtain by time of hire a valid State driver’s license without record suspension or revocation in any State; No felony convictions or disqualifying criminal histories within the past seven years; U.S. citizen; Must be able to read and write the English language; Must be of good moral character and temperate and industrious habits. Possess a current State of Wisconsin EMT-Paramedic certificate at the time of appointment and maintain it for the duration of employment with the OAFED. SELECTION GUIDELINES: Formal application; written examination; physical agility test; oral examination; medical examination; background verification and check; final selection. TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT USED: Emergency medical aid unit, fire apparatus, fire pumps, hoses, and other standard firefighting equipment, ladders, first aid equipment, radio, pager, personal computer, knowledge of computers and fire department software programs, and phone. PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle, or operate objects, tools, or controls; and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to sit; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl, talk or hear, and taste or smell. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 100 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. Specifically, this position shall adhere to the NFPA 1582 List of Essential Job Tasks. Wearing personal protective ensemble and SCBA, performing fire-fighting tasks (hoseline operations, extensive crawling, lifting and carrying heavy objects, ventilating roofs or walls using power or hand tools, forcible entry, etc.), rescue operations, and other emergency response actions under stressful conditions, including working in extremely hot or cold environments for prolonged time periods. Wearing an SCBA, which includes a demand valve–type positive-pressure facepiece or HEPA filter masks, which requires the ability to tolerate increased respiratory workloads. Exposure to toxic fumes, irritants, particulates, biological (infectious) and nonbiological hazards, and/or heated gases, despite the use of personal protective ensembles and SCBA. Depending on the local jurisdiction, climbing six or more flights of stairs while wearing fire protective ensemble weighing at least 50 lb. (22.6 kg) or more and carrying equipment/tools weighing an additional 20 to 40 lb. (9 to 18 kg). Wearing fire protective ensemble that is encapsulating and insulated, which will result in significant fluid loss that frequently progresses to clinical dehydration and can elevate core temperature to levels exceeding 102.2°F (39°C). Wearing personal protective ensemble and SCBA, searching, finding, and rescue dragging or carrying victims ranging from newborns to adults weighing over 200 lb. (90 kg) to safety despite hazardous conditions and low visibility. Wearing personal protective ensemble and SCBA, advancing water-filled hoselines up to 21⁄2 in. (65 mm) in diameter from fire apparatus to occupancy [approximately 150 ft. (50 m)], which can involve negotiating multiple flights of stairs, ladders, and other obstacles. Wearing personal protective ensemble and SCBA, climbing ladders, operating from heights, walking or crawling in the dark along narrow and uneven surfaces, and operating in proximity to electrical power lines and/or other hazards. Unpredictable emergency requirements for prolonged periods of extreme physical exertion without benefit of warm-up, scheduled rest periods, meals, access to medication(s), or hydration. Operating fire apparatus or other vehicles in an emergency mode with emergency lights and sirens. Critical, time-sensitive, complex problem-solving during physical exertion in stressful, hazardous environments, including hot, dark, tightly enclosed spaces, that is further aggravated by fatigue, flashing lights, sirens, and other distractions. Ability to communicate (give and comprehend verbal orders) while wearing personal protective ensembles and SCBA under conditions of high background noise, poor visibility, and drenching from hoselines and/or fixed protection systems (sprinklers). Functioning as an integral component of a team, where sudden incapacitation of a member can result in mission failure or in risk of injury or death to civilians or other team members WORK ENVIRONMENT: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee regularly works in outside weather conditions. The employee occasionally works near moving mechanical parts and in high, precarious places and is occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions, fumes or airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals, risk or electrical shock, and vibration. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate, except during certain firefighting or EMT activities when noise levels may be loud. The duties listed above are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position. The job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employees and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change. Non-Descrimination All positions and promotions within the rank of the Oregon Area Fire/EMS District will be filled according to the Equal Rights Act with no discrimination shown on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, age, national origin or disability. OAFED is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the district will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective employees and incumbents to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.