FF/Paramedic

Job Summary

The Firefighter/Paramedic is responsible for performing 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.

Essential Job Functions

• Performs all duties in the Firefighter/EMT job description.
• Responds with necessary equipment to requests for medical assistance, where life is endangered by illness or injury.
• Administers basic and advanced life support at the scene of an emergency.
• Transports victims to the closest appropriate medical facility according to protocol, unless turned over to a licensed transport agency with equal or higher medical authority.
• Maintains basic and advanced life support apparatus and equipment.
• Writes reports on patients’ conditions and treatments administered; inputs these reports onto the county report writing system; and documents NIFRS reports into the county report writing system.

Education And Qualifications

• Requires a High School Diploma or equivalent;
• Preferred two (2) years of experience as a Paramedic;
• Or any equivalent combination of education, training, and experience which provides the requisite knowledge, skills, and abilities for this job.

Work Environment

• Work is primarily performed in an environmentally controlled environment without exposure to harmful chemicals, personal danger, or other workplace hazards; however, a portion of time can be performed in an outside environment in a variety of weather conditions.
• The employee is exposed to stressful situations, flames, fire, chemicals, smoke, heat, gases, moving vehicles, falling structures and debris, electricity, poor ventilation, poor lighting and related hazardous situations.
• Must endure sustained acts of physical exhaustion and endure periods of duty under unfavorable and life-threatening situations.
• Work requires the use of protective devices such as masks, goggles, gloves, etc.

Employment Highlights

• Probationary Period – All new employees serve a one hundred eighty (180) day probationary period from the date of hire.
• Fire Rescue personnel serve a one (1) year probationary period from the date of hire.
• Working Hours – Most full-time employees work forty (40) hours per week unless otherwise indicated. Work schedules may vary by location.
• Paychecks – Employees are paid on a bi-weekly basis, for a total of twenty-six (26) pay periods annually.
• Insurance Coverage – Florida Blue and United Health Care provides medical, dental, and vision coverage.
• Medical Coverage – Individual employee medical coverage is partially covered by the county. Dependent coverage is available at a reduced cost to the employee.
• Dental & Vision Coverage – Fully paid by the employer.
• Effective Date: Coverage begins on the first day of the month following thirty (30) days of employment (e.g., hire date of November 1st, benefits begin December 1st).
• Life Insurance – The Board of County Commissioners provides a $10,000 life insurance policy and a $10,000 accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D) policy. Additional life insurance options, including dependent coverage, are available at an additional cost to the employee.
• Retirement – Florida Retirement System (FRS).
• Holidays – The County observes eleven (11) paid holidays per year, as declared by the Board of County Commissioners.
• Personal Day – All full-time employees earn one (1) personal day per calendar year. This day may be used only after successful completion of the probationary period and does not carry over from year to year.
• Vacation Leave – All full-time employees accrue vacation leave in accordance with the Employee Handbook.
• Sick Leave – Full-time employees accrue eight (8) hours of sick leave per month. Part-time employees accrue four (4) hours per month.
• Fire Rescue employees accrue eleven and two-tenths (11.2) hours per month. Accrued sick leave rolls over into subsequent years if unused. A Medical Leave Bank and Compassionate Leave program are also available.