FIREFIGHTER/PARAMEDIC (LATERAL)

Closing date: Open until filled. Hiring quarterly to fill vacancies in October 2026, January 2027, and April 2027.

Pay

Average annual salary including FLSA pay and holiday pay:

• Step 1 = $70,743
• Step 2 = $73,219
• Step 3 = $75,782
• Step 4 = $78,434

Starting pay will be at Step 2 to 4 of the full pay scale and will include FLSA overtime and holiday pay.

Schedule

Requires non-standard, rotating shift work to include days, nights, weekends, and holidays. The primary work schedule is continuous shift work at 48 hours on, 96 hours off.

Requirements

• Firefighter I & II Certification issued by a recognized State or Federal Certifying agency.
• Arizona Paramedic Certification OR National Registry Paramedic Certification. (Other State, County, or Local certifications will not be accepted.)
• Candidate Physical Abilities Test (CPAT) certification at hire.
• National Incident Management (NIMS) Training 100, 200, & 700 at the time of hire.
• Valid Driver's License of appropriate class.
• Must meet requirements of NFPA 1582 standards with or without accommodation.
• Must obtain and maintain medical control issued by the medical director.
• Must meet and maintain all training and education requirements for the position.

Qualifications

• At least 3 years of full-time firefighting experience with a municipal, fire district, or military fire department.
• A minimum of 2 years of full-time paramedic experience responding to 911 calls; experience with ambulance transport is preferred.
• Lateral applicants must come from organizations of similar or larger size. Candidates from smaller organizations may be considered if their education, training, experience, and annual call volume meet LHCFD’s lateral recruitment standards.
• Candidates with prior Engineer or Acting Engineer experience through a qualified NFPA program, or an equivalent, are preferred but not required.

Responsibilities

• Respond to emergency medical incidents; analyze patient needs and establish priorities for treatment; administer lifesaving procedures immediately.
• Respond to fire alarms, rescue calls, and other emergency incidents; perform the full range of fire suppression duties including laying and connecting hose, maintaining fire apparatus, directing water and chemical streams to suppress fire, raising and climbing ladders, ventilating burning structures, and entering buildings to evacuate occupants.
• Provide Advanced Life Support and Basic Life Support treatment as required by standing protocol or E.R. orders; may administer EKG monitoring, IV fluids, defibrillation, intubation, extrication, bleeding control, oxygen, splinting, and other treatment as required.
• Perform general maintenance and repair duties including cleaning and maintaining the facility and grounds, testing and performing maintenance and minor repairs on firefighting apparatus and equipment.
• Participate in training classes to enhance firefighting, first aid, and emergency response techniques.
• Respond to a variety of general emergency rescue calls including auto accidents, gas system leaks, and trapped or injured persons.
• Generate reports, charts, and documentation on all emergency and non-emergency responses.
• Check and inspect equipment to ensure proper functionality daily, weekly, monthly, and annually, when assigned.
• Operate and maintain motor vehicles or other work-related equipment requiring a valid Driver License.

Benefits

• Employer-provided Medical/Rx (EPO or HSP)
• Dental/Vision
• Wellness Program
• Employee Assistance Program
• Flexible Spending Account/Health Savings Account
• Employer-provided Basic Life Insurance
• Optional Additional Life Insurance
• Optional Insurance: Critical Illness, Hospitalization, Indemnity
• 11 Paid Holidays Annually
• Bereavement Leave
• Paid Vacation
• Short Term Disability
• Long Term Disability
• Opportunities for advancement
• Applicable state retirement system
• Optional Deferred Compensation
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Service Awards

Skills

• Thorough knowledge of modern principles and techniques of emergency medical services and fire suppression operations.
• General knowledge of City geography (streets, hydrants, building locations, etc.).
• General knowledge of City Fire Department rules, regulations, policies, and procedures.
• General knowledge of fire suppression theories, methods, and procedures; fire tactics and strategies; ventilation procedures; salvage and overhaul procedures; rescue and extrication procedures; fire causes and hazards; fire pump operations and hydraulics; hazardous materials; and radio communication procedures.
• General knowledge of water supply and hydrant locations.
• General knowledge of building and National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) codes.
• Skill in using firefighting equipment, tools, vehicles, EMS equipment, and communications equipment.
• Skill in life support techniques including CPR, patient assessment, and treatment techniques.
• Skill in fire and EMS report writing procedures.
• Ability to analyze problems quickly and take appropriate action under stress.
• Ability to perform basic mathematical functions.
• Ability to deliver lectures, talks, and demonstrations to the public.
• Ability to prepare routine reports.
• Ability to receive and follow directions.
• Ability to attend in-service trainings as provided by the department and other training necessary to maintain fire and CEP certifications.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with associates, supervisors, other departments, other governmental and regulatory agencies, community organizations, and the general public.

Working Conditions

This work requires:

• The occasional exertion of over 100 pounds of force.
• Frequent standing, walking, sitting, speaking or hearing, using hands to finger, handle or feel, climbing or balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching or crawling, reaching with hands and arms, pushing or pulling, and repetitive motions.
• Standard vision requirements.
• Vocal communication for expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word.
• Hearing to perceive information at normal spoken word levels.
• Preparing and analyzing written or computer data, visual inspection involving small defects and/or small parts, operating machines, operating motor vehicles or equipment, and observing general surroundings and activities.
• Regular exposure to extreme heat (non-weather).
• Frequent exposure to moving mechanical parts, fumes or airborne particles, outdoor weather conditions, wearing a self-contained breathing apparatus, and bloodborne pathogens.
• Occasional exposure to wet, humid conditions (non-weather), working in high, precarious places, toxic or caustic chemicals, risk of electrical shock, working with explosives, and vibration.
• Work is generally in a moderately noisy location (e.g., business office, light traffic).