Firefighter Paramedic

Skilled technical work in the County Public Safety Department in the field of fire suppression, prevention, and emergency medical services. Work is performed under the general direction of a superior officer.

1. Inspects or causes to be inspected existing occupancies to ensure compliance with Fire and Safety Codes, observes any violations of the fire and safety codes, or with respect to storage and use of hazardous materials.
2. Informs owners of inspection findings and issues notices for corrections when necessary, confers with owner or contractors regarding changes needed to bring the permitted project or existing occupancies deficiencies into compliance. 
3. Schedules and ensures annual inspections are completed, prepares detailed discrepancy re-ports, maintains records of inspections and building conditions, follow-up inspections and actions taken in regards to complaints.
4. Receives inspection request from citizens and Local/State agencies, assures these inspections are completed in a timely manner.
5. Reviews plans for new construction and existing buildings for compliance of State and Local laws or ordinances.
6. Schedules and oversees annual inspection of existing occupancies.
7. Assist State and Local agencies when needed with investigation of suspicious fires.
8. Assists an emergency situation as needed, within scope of licensure as deemed necessary per the Officer in Charge.
9. Responsible for the maintaining and reporting of Hazards Analysis and/or 302 Facilities to the Department of Community Affairs. Ensures all records are accurate and up to date as required.
10. Responsible for the maintaining and reporting of Small Quantity Generators of Hazards to the Department of Environmental Protection. Ensures all records are accurate and up to date as required.
11. Shall be responsible for departmental records, activity reports and coordination of shift inspections that apply and billing as necessary.
12. Supervises fire safety inspections and activities assigned to other personnel.
13. Assists Building Officials on specified case-by-case issues, with the ability to prepare and present violations to Code Enforcement and present cases to the special master when necessary.

• Knowledge of the positions of firefighter and driver engineer and the skills to perform the duties of each. 
• Knowledge of the geography of the County with respect to streets, hydrants and building access information 
• Knowledge of the location and layout of all high risk and special hazard occupancies, and the problems encountered with each. 
• Knowledge of the strategy and tactics of handling fire, rescue, and medical emergencies and the ability to analyze and respond effectively under stress to each. 
• Knowledge of the record keeping system in use, the components of the system, and the functions of each. 
• Knowledge of paramedic principles, practices, and techniques and how they are used in rescue operations. 
• Ability to carry out orders and to see that Department and County policies are adhered to. 
• Ability to perform Firefighter and ALS duties effectively and work rotating shift assignments.

High school diploma or equivalent. 

A comparable amount of training, education or experience may be substituted for the minimum qualifications required.)

LICENSES, CERTIFICATIONS, OR REGISTRATIONS:

-State of Florida Paramedic Certification.
-State of Florida Firefighter Certification as authorized by F.S.S. 633. 
-Advanced Cardiac Life Support.
-Must possess a valid Class "E" Florida Driver’s License
-Will accept EMT/Firefighter that will be Paramedic certified within six months from date of hire.

HIRING PROCESS FOR PARAMEDIC/FIREFIGHTER

 DeSoto County Fire Rescue is currently accepting applications for Paramedic/Firefighter. Applicants must possess a valid Certificate of Compliance for Firefighter in the State of Florida, a valid Paramedic Certification for the State of Florida, and Coaching the Emergency Vehicle Operator completion certificate plus a valid Florida State Drivers License. If hired, you will also be required to take and pass a physical examination, a urinalysis and blood test and submit to a background check. This Department is a drug free work place.

• Applicants will have to take a written exam consisting of Fire & EMS questions from Essentials of Fire Fighting 5^th ed. and Brady; Paramedic Care, Principles & Practice (7 volume series).
• Applicants must take and pass a firefighter oriented skills assessment relating to minimal fire ground operations such as a hydrant hook-up, placing a ground ladder, working with ropes and knots, minimal Haz-Mat scenarios, general fire ground knowledge and EMS based scenarios.
• Applicants must complete and pass a paramedic skills assessment (NREMT Skills Sheets) https://www.nremt.org/nremt/about/psychomotor_exam_advanced.asp
• Upon successfully completing these portions of the evaluation, you will participate in an oral review board which is comprised of members from DeSoto County Fire Rescue.

There are three steps in the testing process for DeSoto County Fire Rescue. Each one of the steps must be completed before moving on to the next step. If, at any time, you fail to complete a step, you will be dismissed from the testing process and will not be eligible for employment.

1. The candidate must pass the written paramedic examination with a minimum of 80% correct and on the written fire examination with a minimum of 70% in order to advance to Step 2.
2. The candidate must pass the practical exam by completing each task presented with a passing score of 80% on the paramedic and 70% on the fire in order to advance to Step 3. The practical exam will include fire related tasks such as, but not limited to, knots, hoisting, hose work, forcible entry & hazmat, and EMS based scenarios.
3. The candidate must complete an oral assessment where the candidate will be asked a series of questions by a panel and will be graded upon how well you respond.

INSTRUCTIONS FOR ASSEMBLING YOUR DOCUMENTS

The application packet must be completed prior to the candidate being eligible for the application employment process to begin. Along with the application-required paperwork, the candidate must also provide one (1) copy of each of the following documents:

1. Photocopy of your High School Diploma or GED certification.
2. Photocopy of DD-214 or other military record, if any.
3. Photocopy of your State Minimum Standards Fire Certificate.
4. Photocopy of your State EMS Certificate, CPR, and ACLS.
5. Photocopy of 16 hour EVOC or CEVO, if available.
6. Certified copy of the last three years of your motor vehicle/driving record.
7. At this time DO NOT include a copy of your driver’s license or social security card.

THIS IS A DISASTER ESSENTIAL POSITION.

DeSoto County is an Equal Opportunity Employer. It is the policy of the County to administer its employment practices without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, ethnicity, age, gender, pregnancy, marital status, veteran status or disability. The County complies with all applicable federal, state and local laws mandating equal employment opportunity practices and prohibiting impermissible discrimination. The County will not tolerate any discrimination based upon an individual’s race, color, creed, religion, national origin, ethnicity, age, gender, pregnancy, marital status, veteran status or disability. Preference shall be given to certain veterans and spouses of veterans as provided by Chapter 295, Laws of Florida