Firefighter / Paramedic

Firefighter / Paramedic

When you come work for the City of Coconut Creek, although you're assigned an employee number, you're not treated like one. With an average of 10 years of service (some as many as 30-plus!), our employees know they can transform their careers in Coconut Creek, the "Butterfly Capital of the World." Today you may be applying to our Firefighter / Paramedic position, but tomorrow that role could lead to Lieutenant, or even Chief! And in the days, months and years in between, you'll be treated like family and invited to participate in fun events like Public Service Recognition Week, Halloween costume contests, wellness fairs, meditation sessions, chair massages, charitable causes, and so much more! The City of Coconut Creek has been spotlighted as one of the "Best Cities to Live in America" by Money Magazine and a Top Ten Place to Live in Florida by Movoto and NerdWallet. We've been awarded the Honorable Culture of Well-Being by Cigna and ranked #7 Healthiest Employer to Work For in the medium-sized company category by South Florida Business Journal. Our City is home to the Seminole Casino Coconut Creek, Butterfly World, and the Coconut Creek Promenade. Every one of our business owners and 58,000 residents rely on our awesome 450+ employees. Are you ready to be one of us? If you are interested in making a difference in the lives of others and serving the public; if you are innovative, progressive, dedicated, and looking for a workplace where you belong, consider applying to join our Coconut Creek family.

Position Summary : Under general direction, performs technical work involving the prevention and suppression of fires, driving emergency units / engines, rescuing persons and highly skilled advanced life support and technical emergency medical services work in the field. The employee works within the scope of established Fire Rescue Department rules, regulations and procedures, however, is expected to exercise considerable judgment and initiative in emergency situations. Duties involve an element of personal danger and incumbents must be capable of functioning as an integral part of a work unit in order to ensure the safe and efficient performance of duties. Objective is to prevent and minimize injury and / or the loss of life and property in emergency medical and fire situations. Hours of work : Shift work; typical schedule includes 24 hours on / 48 hours off; 48-hour average work week Salary : $28.93 / hr; annualized to $72,209.28 Anticipated Timeline : This posting will be used to fill current vacancies and then to generate a list for future openings.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities : The list of essential functions, as outlined herein, is intended to be representative of the tasks performed within this classification. It is not necessarily descriptive of any one position in the classification. The omission of an essential function does not preclude management from assigning duties not listed herein if such functions are a logical assignment to the position.

• Responds to fire alarms in the City and mutual aid and emergency medical calls
• Suppresses and extinguishes fires
• Rescues and stabilizes patients as part of an engine company or rescue unit
• Controls emergency medical activities in the absence of a superior; aids in the mitigation of other emergencies as directed
• Recognizes, reports, and reacts to potential situations and adjusts plans or activities accordingly
• Maintains Florida Certification as Paramedic as provided for in State Rule 10D66FAC and follows EMS protocols for Paramedic level medical care as approved by the Medical Director
• Communicates with dispatch, emergency room physicians and staff, police, fire officers and related personnel for the accurate and efficient dissemination of information and medical orders
• Drives, operates and inspects Fire Rescue vehicles
• Operates, utilizes and maintains Fire Rescue equipment and gear, including but not limited to, connecting hoses to hydrants and pumps; joining hose sections and connecting nozzles to hose, operating nozzles and applying a stream of water on fires, operating hand fire extinguishers and similar equipment in extinguishing fires, and raising and climbing ladders
• Enters burning buildings with hose lines, and ventilates burning buildings to remove smoking gases
• May assume a commanding role in the medical division, branch or group under the Incident Management System until relieved of that responsibility
• Makes daily inspections of apparatus, equipment, and medical supplies; notifies supervisor of defects
• Extricates and rescues victims from vehicles, drowning, accidents, fire, and other harmful conditions
• Recognizes acute symptoms requiring immediate care and administers advanced level care to injured or afflicted persons or assists a team member with medical support; stabilizes patients for transport as a team member of an Advanced Life Support Emergency Medical Services unit; performs CPR; administers spinal and cervical immobilization; verifies vital signs; evaluates patient status
• Administers medication and IV fluids, intubation, interpretive cardiac ECG assessment, defibrillation and external pacemaker
• Provides airway maintenance, spinal and cervical immobilization
• Checks vital signs and conducts diagnostic patient assessment
• Recognizes various types of drugs, medications, and narcotics
• Performs custodial duties at the station; cleans and maintains Fire Station facilities and equipment; inspects fire equipment for necessary repairs
• Prepares EMS and department reports; completes patient reports, compiles billing information, and delivers all patient findings to the emergency room physicians; communicates appropriately via medcom radio channel; maintains records
• Participates in public education and community outreach programs
• Attends continuing education programs in firefighting, equipment operation, rescue procedures, hazardous materials mitigation, first aid and paramedic level medical response; conducts drills, training and continuing education programs on emergency medicine
• Works shifts, which include long hours, days, nights, weekends, and holidays
• Performs other related duties as assigned and / or required

Qualifications : Graduation from an accredited high school or possession of an acceptable equivalency diploma; must be at least 18 years of age. Possession / maintenance of the following certifications / training :

Tattoos are permitted; however, they must be non-offensive in nature and align with a professional workplace environment. Any tattoos that contain obscene, discriminatory, violent, or otherwise inappropriate imagery or language are strictly prohibited and if deemed so by the Fire Chief must remain covered at all times. Tattoos on the hands, face, head, or neck are not permitted, with the exception of a wedding ring tattoo.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities : Knowledge of current principles and practices of fire prevention / suppression / rescue and paramedic work, governing laws, ordinances, policies and procedures Knowledge of First Responder and CPR Knowledge of modern rescue, extrication, life support, and transportation techniques; movement of patients and psychological needs of patients Knowledge of emergency room procedures as related to EMS Skill in rendering effective emergency medical treatment at the advanced life support level Skill in performing detailed patient examinations and provide diagnostic assessment of patient's condition Skill in performing safe and efficient use of fire emergency service equipment Skill in the principles and techniques of customer relations skills; ability to deal diplomatically with irate, violent or frantic individuals under considerable stress; ability to react quickly and calmly in emergency situations Skill in swimming Skill in operating moderately heavy / heavy fire rescue vehicles and equipment even under adverse conditions Skill in operating basic office equipment Skill in accessing, operating and maintaining various software applications, including Microsoft Office products, with the ability to learn new software Ability to understand and follow written and oral instructions in English Ability to clearly communicate information both orally and in writing Ability to make decisions readily, render judgment, take action or commit oneself in life or death situations Ability to analytically observe, and objectively and clearly report routine and non-routine, emergency and non-emergency activities Ability to maintain composure under emergency situations; work effectively under stressful conditions Ability to demonstrate behaviors that support the City's mission and core values Ability to be ethical and fair while representing the City, including adherence to all workplace policies that support ethical business practices and standards of conduct Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with the