Firefighter/Paramedic Specialist

Job Description

This position reports to and receives general supervision from the Captains, Assistant Chief, and Emergency Services Director who reviews and evaluates work performance through conferences, reports, and overall results achieved. This is a nonexempt from standard overtime rules position. Employees in this role are eligible for overtime pay for any hours worked beyond 40 in a work week. The Fire Department operates on a structured shift schedule consisting of 12-hour shifts, ensuring continuous coverage and efficient team rotation. The schedule follows a two-week cycle, with Team A alternating between 48-hour and 36-hour work weeks, working either four or three 12-hour shifts. Teams B and D follow a similar pattern but adjust for overnight shifts, resulting in a consistent 42-hour work week. Team C rotates between 36-hour and 48-hour weeks, ensuring fair distribution of workload across the department. This structured schedule balances staffing needs with rest periods, promoting both efficiency and well-being for personnel.

Renders basic and advanced life support care to the sick and injured, rescues persons and property from danger, performs fire suppression activities, applies emergency rescue techniques, provides public education, and prevention duties. While emergency responses constitute the primary focus of a Fire Medic's responsibility, considerable time is spent in studying, training, inspecting, and maintaining equipment and apparatus. Duties involve an element of personal danger and incumbents must be capable of functioning as an integral part of a work unit to ensure the safe and efficient performance of duties. Work is performed in accordance with the rules, regulations, procedures, and other such authorities, which are applicable to the position. Work is reviewed through observation, verbally or through written reports for adherence to established policies and procedures. The Fire – Medic is the primary patient advocate while entrusted with their care and operates within the approved protocols of the Licensed Medical Director and Bondurant Emergency Services.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Performs complex medical procedures that are within the approved department protocols and within their scope of practice.
• Drives and operates ambulance or other apparatus as assigned.
• Accurately completes written and verbal reports on patient care to hospital emergency departments.
• Participates in firefighting duties as described in the minimum qualifications section and duties outlined in the job description.
• Lays hose lines, operates nozzles, pumps, and hydrants; utilizes fire extinguishers and performs other actions to suppress fire; operates hydraulic, pneumatic, manual, and power tools.
• Participates in salvage operation and post-fire operations; uses salvage covers, floor runners, and other related equipment to reduce property damage from heat, smoke, fire, gases, and water.
• Participates in drills and training evolutions as directed.
• Cleans and performs general maintenance of fire equipment and fire station.
• Responds to scenes of accidents or acute illness for which emergency medical care has been requested.
• Maintains regular and reliable attendance to fulfill daily operational requirements.

Required Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Certifications & Experience

• Minimum certifications of Firefighter 1, Hazmat Operations, and Emergency Medical Technician Advanced, Paramedic, Critical Care Paramedic, or Registered Nurse (requires EMT certification and Medical Director signoff).
• Knowledge of:
• The principles and practices of effective fire and life safety and public administration, with special reference and attention to policy, personnel, and fire and life safety services and operations planning and organization.
• All State and local rules pertaining to Emergency Medical Operations and Transporting agencies.
• The principles and practices of effective fire and life safety operations.
• The facilities, equipment, and personnel needed to provide fire department services.
• Incident Command including firefighting tactics and strategy, fire ground factors, tactical priorities, rescue operations, fire control considerations, apparatus placement, property conservation, fire stream management, communications, hazardous materials, fire ground safety, and medical operations.
• The chemistry and effects of fire on various types of building construction and materials.
• The learning process, and the theories, principles, techniques, and aids which may be used in fire and life safety training programs.
• Incident Command Structure (ICS300, ICS700)
• Fire apparatus, equipment, and building construction.
• Basic technical services requirements for hardware and software applications in the Fire Department.
• Skills required:
• Excellent organizational, verbal, written, and basic math skills.
• Mental capacity to exercise rational thinking and sound judgement under extreme pressure and in dangerous situations.
• Motivating, communicating with, and instructing/training others, using both technical and non-technical language to explain complex subjects and processes.
• Applying basic and advanced emergency medical assistance, including CPR and first aid.
• The safe and proper operation of equipment and tools.
• Remaining calm under adverse conditions and making sound judgments concerning life and property under pressure.
• Writing legal documentation of incidents and responding to questions before legal counsel.
• Oral communication in one-on-one and group situations.
• Utilizing public relations techniques in responding to inquiries and complaints.
• Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with State, Federal, and other local fire and emergency management officials, elected officials, and City residents.
• Ability to:
• Ability to learn a wide variety of firefighting and rescue duties.
• Ability to work from ladders and aerial devices at elevated heights.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with other employees and the public.
• Ability to react quickly and calmly in emergencies.
• Ability to keep records and make reports.
• Ability to lift, run, walk, crawl, stand, and sit for extended periods of time.
• Ability to maintain physical condition to perform essential duties needed for firefighting, rescue, and emergency medical services.

Supplemental Information

• Physical Requirements:
• Ability to perform physically demanding tasks, including lifting up to 100 pounds and working in extreme conditions (heat, cold, confined spaces, hazardous materials).
• Environmental Conditions:
• Regular exposure to fire hazards, toxic materials, adverse weather, and potentially dangerous situations.
• Work Schedule:
• Flexible, including evenings, weekends, and emergency call-ins.
• Unlike traditional 24 hours on duty fire service, with our 12 hour shift service it is not expected for employees to sleep during the work shift.
• Job Functions:
• As outlined by NFPA 1582 (National Fire Protection Association), which defines medical and physical requirements for fire service personnel.
• Physical Requirements:
• The above chart is an overview of our benefits program, which gives you the coverage you need for all types of things life brings your way. City of Bondurant’s benefit plans allow you to choose the options that work best for your own needs — and your pocketbook. The key to getting the most from our benefits program is to take an active role in understanding and using the plans so that you are getting the best value for the money you spend.