Hybrid Firefighter-EMT / Firefighter-Paramedic bei City of Steamboat Springs, CO

About the Department

When joining the City of Steamboat Springs, you can expect to work for an organization with:

• A team that strives to make this the best place you’ve ever worked!
• A focus on supporting our employees’ mental, physical, and financial well-being
• A commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion that creates a welcoming city 
• A highly engaged workforce proudly serving our community with excellence and distinction
• A passion for strategically providing outstanding municipal services
• A promise to each other to support the work we all do for the city, community & Yampa Valley

SUPERVISION RECEIVED Works under the direct supervision of the Fire Captain, Fire Lieutenant, or the Firefighter/Paramedic.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED The firefighter/EMT may be asked to assist in supervising the work of another crew member, new recruits, or other part-time department personnel, as assigned.

GENERAL PURPOSE:Firefighter/Paramedic The Firefighter/Paramedic is a dual-role member of Steamboat Springs Fire Rescue (SSFR) having advanced emergency medical care responsibilities in addition to firefighter duties.  Depending on the nature of the emergency the Firefighter/Paramedic will provide basic and advanced life support, perform extrication and rescue, act as a firefighter in fire suppression activities or perform hazard control activities. This position is technical and skilled in nature and requires the ability to interact with patients, independently assess and treat medical emergencies, follow established advanced treatment protocols, supervise patient care, and document findings and events for the patient’s medical record.  Work is often carried out under stressful conditions in the presences of contagious disease, environmental, chemical, and physical hazards.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED:

Works under the general supervision of the Fire Captain or Fire Lieutenant.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED

On emergency scenes the Firefighter/Paramedic supervises those who are involved in patient care. In daily operations the Firefighter/Paramedic supervises Firefighter/EMTs working in the ambulance as assigned. May assist in the supervision of another crew, new recruits, or other part-time department personnel, as assigned.

Position Duties

Serves as an ambassador of the City of Steamboat Springs and upholds City values of Service, Teamwork, Integrity, Well-being, Respect and Compassion, while espousing safety at all times.

• Provides outstanding service and performs duties as necessary to best serve the needs of the community in the SSFR response area.
• Responds to emergency calls, including structure fires, medicals, fire alarms, vehicle accidents and fires, wildland fires, rescues, hazardous materials incidents and other emergencies.
• Advances and position hose lines, hold nozzles and direct water streams; raise, climb, and work from ladders and work from high or precarious places; use fire extinguishers, power and hand tools, ropes and other equipment.
• Creates building openings to release heat and smoke or provide means for ingress or egress, place salvage covers to prevent water damage and prevent fire from rekindling.
• Performs necessary medical care of sick, injured, or convalescent persons at the sites of emergencies and in route to hospitals or other medical facilities. Patient care may include hemorrhage control and treatment for shock, automated external defibrillation, cardiopulmonary resuscitation, airway maintenance, intravenous access, and fracture stabilization.
• Perform necessary basic and advanced life support for sick, injured, or convalescent persons at the sites of emergencies and in route to hospitals or other medical facilities.  Patient care may include hemorrhage control and treatment for shock, intravenous therapy, medication administration, electrocardiogram interpretation, manual external defibrillation or synchronized cardioversion, cardiopulmonary resuscitation, advanced airway management and fracture stabilization.
• Observes established standard operational guidelines and medical protocols.
• Records event information including patient condition, patient history, treatments, vital signs and scene observations.
• Communicates with supervisor or other firefighters and supplies patient information to physicians via radio, telephone, or other electronic transmission, direct contact and written report.
• Operates emergency vehicles and firefighting apparatus in route to emergencies and during patient transport to hospital or other facilities.
• Utilizes computers to enter reports into department data base for billing and statistical purposes, reports, research, and electronic mail communication.
• Participates in drills, courses, and training for firefighting and medical techniques, hydraulics, pump operation, and equipment maintenance, and related topics.
• Maintains inventories of equipment and supplies.
• Performs various maintenance tasks on apparatus and equipment.
• Participates in public education programs and building safety inspections.
• Assists in supervising firefighters and conduct training for employees as assigned.
• Performs general maintenance work in the upkeep of fire facilities and equipment; maintain station and grounds; make minor repairs; wash, hang and dry hose; wash, clean, polish, maintain, and test apparatus and equipment.

Minimum Qualifications

Education, Experience, and Special Requirements: Firefighter/EMT

1. A high school diploma or GED.
2. Successful completion of a Firefighter Academy (may be post hire) and must obtain Colorado Firefighter I certification within one year of hire date and Firefighter II Certification within two years of hire date.
3. Must be 21 years of age at time of hire.
4. Must be of good moral character and of temperate and industrious habits.
5. Must be a U.S. citizen or legally eligible to work in the USA.
6. Must possess a valid State driver's license without record of suspension or revocation in any State.
7. No felony convictions or disqualifying criminal histories.
8. Must be able to read and write the English language.
9. Must possess a current healthcare provider level CPR card, Colorado EMT certificate, and appropriate certifications for level of credentials at time of appointment.
10. ICS 100 and NIMS 700 Certification.

Education and Experience: Firefighter/Paramedic

1. A high school diploma or GED.
2. Colorado Paramedic Certification.
3. ACLS Certification.
4. Successful completion of a Firefighter Academy (may be post hire) and must obtain Colorado Firefighter I certification within one year of hire date and Firefighter II Certification within two years of hire date.
5. Must be 21 years of age at time of hire.
6. Must be of good moral character and of temperate and industrious habits.
7. Must be a U.S. citizen or legally eligible to work in the USA.
8. Must possess a valid State driver’s license without record of suspension or revocation in any State.
9. No felony convictions or disqualifying criminal histories.
10. Must be able to read and write the English language.
11. Must Possess a current healthcare provider CPR card, and appropriate certifications for level of credentials at time of appointment.
12. ICS 100 and NIMS 700 Certification.

Necessary Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: Firefighter/EMT

1. Training in multiple firefighting disciplines.
2. Training in various rescue methodologies.
3. Training in basic emergency medical procedures.
4. Training in patient assessment techniques.
5. Knowledge of symptoms of medical emergencies and appropriate treatments for such conditions.
6. Mechanical aptitude with ability to operate a variety of apparatus, tools, and equipment.
7. Agility and strength to do prolonged and arduous work under adverse conditions.
8. Ability to react quickly and remain calm under duress and strain.
9. Ability to understand and follow oral and written instructions.
10. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with superiors, coworkers, cooperators, other employees, the medical director, and the public.

Necessary Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: Firefighter/Paramedic

1. Training in advanced emergency medical procedures.
2. Training in patient assessment techniques.
3. Knowledge of symptoms of medical emergencies and appropriate treatments for such conditions.
4. Training in multiple firefighting disciplines.
5. Training in various rescue methodologies.
6. Knowledge of the operation and maintenance of fire apparatus and equipment.
7. Thorough knowledge of Steamboat Springs Fire Rescue’s Standard Operating Guidelines.
8. Thorough knowledge of adopted Emergency Medical Protocols.
9. Knowledge of the personnel rules and regulations of the City of Steamboat Springs.
10. Knowledge of the proper methods for maintenance of equipment.
11. Knowledge of building construction, fire codes, and related codes.
12. Knowledge of the geographic layout of the SSFR response area including roads and location of hazardous occupancies.
13. Knowledge of hydraulics as applied to fire fighting.
14. Mechanical aptitude with ability to operate a variety of apparatus, tools, and equipment.
15. Knowledge of water systems and water mains.
16. Agility and strength to do prolonged and arduous work under adverse conditions.
17. Ability to react quickly and remain calm under duress and strain.
18. Ability to understand and follow oral and written instructions.
19. Skill in the operation of all fire fighting and rescue equipment including motor vehicles.
20. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with medical directors, superiors, coworkers, cooperators, other employees, and the public.

Other Qualifications

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

SSFR firefighters are required to work a 48-hour rotating schedule, including weekends and holidays, and overtime and emergency call-back on an as needed basis. Firefighters may, at times, be assigned to a traditional work week schedule.

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. All firefighters must pass the annual physical requirements as outlined by SSFR policy. This includes a physical ability evaluation, an arduous duty pack test, and a medical evaluation. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

Firefighters must occasionally lift more than 100 pounds while wearing protective clothing and self-contained breathing apparatus, operating in super-heated atmospheres, and performing an assortment of firefighting duties. These duties may include, but are not limited to, dragging hose weighing up to 150 pounds, carrying and operating equipment weighing 80 pounds, performing rescues of any victims, operate on ladders roofs, and high places, maneuver over unseen terrain or in and through confined spaces.

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.

Specific required perception includes the ability to hear, feel, talk, smell, and vision capabilities for close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. Additionally, the firefighter must be able to operate in an environment deprived of the use of any of the aforementioned.

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 the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee regularly works in a variety of indoor building environments and 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 of electrical shock, and vibration. In addition, the employee may be exposed to communicable diseases, such as hepatitis and AIDS, as well as to violence from mentally unstable or combative patients. The work is not only physically strenuous but can be stressful, sometimes involving life-or-death situations and suffering patients.

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate, except during certain firefighting or EMS activities when noise levels may be loud.

SELECTION GUIDELINES

Formal application; review of education and experience; written examination (optional); physical agility test; oral examination, and interview by appointing authority.

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 employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change.