Firefighter/Paramedic

Key Responsibilities

• The following duties are typical for this classification. Incumbents may not perform all of the listed duties and/or may be required to perform additional or different duties from those set forth below to address business needs and changing business practices. Responds to alarms involving fire, all types of accidents, gas leaks, flooded structures, hazardous substances, and life saving and rescue work. Places fire hoses, sets ladders, operates fire streams, ventilates and enters burning structures to extinguish fires and perform rescue services. Performs salvage and overhaul operations during and after fires to remove hazards and prevent water damage. Performs first aid and life saving duties. Operates pneumatic and auxiliary equipment such as generators and pumps. Stands fire watches. Drives fire apparatus and/or acts as Engineer as assigned, if properly certified. Provides definitive care and treatment in the field to persons in life threatening medical situations, under radio direction of a mobile intensive care unit physician or nurse. Supports and assists other fire and medical personnel as directed on medical calls. Operates a paramedic vehicle safely; treats and transports patients in accordance with San Diego County Emergency Medical Services protocol and department policy. Prepares and maintains a variety of records and reports such as controlled drug inventory, equipment and station logs, and EMS reports. Performs fire prevention and prefire planning inspections in commercial, industrial and municipal facilities. Inspects and performs maintenance on hydrants Performs decontamination procedures in compliance with CalOSHA regulations. Engages in drills and participates in self-directed exercise program to maintain physical fitness. Studies and keeps up to date on City geography, department rules, regulations, procedures and other training and job related materials. Washes, polishes, and performs preventive maintenance on fire apparatus and equipment. Cleans and maintains fire station and grounds. Updates station bulletin boards and maps. In the event of a major fire or emergency, may be called in from off duty to work an extended period of time. Presents programs and participates in the department’s public relations programs as assigned. Performs related work as required. QUALIFICATIONS Knowledge of: Firefighting and EMS procedures and equipment. Fire ground tactics and strategy; emergency incident management, specifically the Incident Command System (ICS); principles of incident safety; automatic and mutual aid agreements; hazardous materials procedures; and confined space and technical rescue techniques. Hazardous materials, fire prevention procedures and related codes. Rescue operations and procedures. California vehicular laws related to operation of various firefighting and rescue apparatus. Safety principles and practices related to the Fire Service. Policies, procedures, rules and regulations of the Escondido Fire Department and the City of Escondido. Geography and street layout of the City and surrounding area. Laws and regulations pertaining to fire and emergency medical services operations. Personal Protective Equipment. Pertinent federal, state, and local laws, codes, and regulations. Algebraic and arithmetic computations. English usage, spelling, grammar and punctuation. Principles and practices of customer service. Ability to: Perform competently under extreme pressure and in stressful situations. Make accurate observations and rapid judgments. Understand a variety of procedural instructions; written and oral, and convert to proper actions. Give oral instructions to others. Prepare clear, concise, accurate written reports. Deal tactfully and effectively with the general public. Work cooperatively with others and contribute to a successful team effort. Maintain physical endurance and agility. Demonstrate an awareness and appreciation of the cultural diversity of the community. Must be accredited as a Paramedic in the County of San Diego within 90 days of hire. Paramedic licensure and accreditation must be maintained as a condition of continued employment. Escondido Fire Department paramedics must comply with the San Diego County EMS Paramedic Guidelines. Must be a graduate of a California State Certified Firefighter I Academy or equivalent, or must currently be attending a California State Certified Firefighter I Academy and will have graduated by the time of appointment. Equivalency will be determined by the Escondido Fire Department Training Division. Must obtain a State Firefighter I Certification within one year of employment if not possessed at time of hire.
• The following duties are typical for this classification. Incumbents may not perform all of the listed duties and/or may be required to perform additional or different duties from those set forth below to address business needs and changing business practices.
• Responds to alarms involving fire, all types of accidents, gas leaks, flooded structures, hazardous substances, and life saving and rescue work.
• Places fire hoses, sets ladders, operates fire streams, ventilates and enters burning structures to extinguish fires and perform rescue services.
• Performs salvage and overhaul operations during and after fires to remove hazards and prevent water damage.
• Performs first aid and life saving duties.
• Operates pneumatic and auxiliary equipment such as generators and pumps.
• Stands fire watches.
• Drives fire apparatus and/or acts as Engineer as assigned, if properly certified.
• Provides definitive care and treatment in the field to persons in life threatening medical situations, under radio direction of a mobile intensive care unit physician or nurse.
• Supports and assists other fire and medical personnel as directed on medical calls.
• Operates a paramedic vehicle safely; treats and transports patients in accordance with San Diego County Emergency Medical Services protocol and department policy.
• Prepares and maintains a variety of records and reports such as controlled drug inventory, equipment and station logs, and EMS reports.
• Performs fire prevention and prefire planning inspections in commercial, industrial and municipal facilities.
• Inspects and performs maintenance on hydrants
• Performs decontamination procedures in compliance with CalOSHA regulations.
• Engages in drills and participates in self-directed exercise program to maintain physical fitness.
• Studies and keeps up to date on City geography, department rules, regulations, procedures and other training and job related materials.
• Washes, polishes, and performs preventive maintenance on fire apparatus and equipment.
• Cleans and maintains fire station and grounds.
• Updates station bulletin boards and maps.
• In the event of a major fire or emergency, may be called in from off duty to work an extended period of time.
• Presents programs and participates in the department’s public relations programs as assigned.
• Performs related work as required.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Knowledge of: Firefighting and EMS procedures and equipment. Fire ground tactics and strategy; emergency incident management, specifically the Incident Command System (ICS); principles of incident safety; automatic and mutual aid agreements; hazardous materials procedures; and confined space and technical rescue techniques. Hazardous materials, fire prevention procedures and related codes. Rescue operations and procedures. California vehicular laws related to operation of various firefighting and rescue apparatus. Safety principles and practices related to the Fire Service. Policies, procedures, rules and regulations of the Escondido Fire Department and the City of Escondido. Geography and street layout of the City and surrounding area. Laws and regulations pertaining to fire and emergency medical services operations. Personal Protective Equipment. Pertinent federal, state, and local laws, codes, and regulations. Algebraic and arithmetic computations. English usage, spelling, grammar and punctuation. Principles and practices of customer service.
• Ability to: Perform competently under extreme pressure and in stressful situations. Make accurate observations and rapid judgments. Understand a variety of procedural instructions; written and oral, and convert to proper actions. Give oral instructions to others. Prepare clear, concise, accurate written reports. Deal tactfully and effectively with the general public. Work cooperatively with others and contribute to a successful team effort. Maintain physical endurance and agility. Demonstrate an awareness and appreciation of the cultural diversity of the community. Must be accredited as a Paramedic in the County of San Diego within 90 days of hire. Paramedic licensure and accreditation must be maintained as a condition of continued employment. Escondido Fire Department paramedics must comply with the San Diego County EMS Paramedic Guidelines. Must be a graduate of a California State Certified Firefighter I Academy or equivalent, or must currently be attending a California State Certified Firefighter I Academy and will have graduated by the time of appointment. Equivalency will be determined by the Escondido Fire Department Training Division. Must obtain a State Firefighter I Certification within one year of employment if not possessed at time of hire.

Minimum Requirements

• Education: Must be at least 18 years of age at the time of appointment. Must be a high school graduate or have passed the G.E.D. test with overall minimum score of 45 and minimum score of 35 on any test. Licenses / Certificates and Other Requirements: Must possess a valid Class C California Driver’s License at the time of appointment. Must obtain a Firefighter endorsement to accompany the Class C California Driver’s License within two years of employment. To apply for this position, applicant must: Be currently licensed as a paramedic in the State of California, in the process of becoming licensed or currently attending paramedic school; and Be accredited in San Diego County, have San Diego County EMS provisional accreditation or be capable of becoming accredited in San Diego County. Must be a graduate of a California State Certified Firefighter I Academy or equivalent, or must currently be attending a California State Certified Firefighter I Academy and will have graduated by the time of appointment. Equivalency will be determined by the Escondido Fire Department Training Division. At the time of appointment, individuals must: Be currently licensed as a paramedic in the State of California. Must be accredited as a Paramedic in the County of San Diego within 90 days of hire. Paramedic licensure and accreditation must be maintained as a condition of continued employment. Escondido Fire Department paramedics must comply with the San Diego County EMS Paramedic Guidelines. Must be a graduate of a California State Certified Firefighter I Academy or equivalent, or must currently be attending a California State Certified Firefighter I Academy and will have graduated by the time of appointment. Equivalency will be determined by the Escondido Fire Department Training Division. Must obtain a State Firefighter I Certification within one year of employment if not possessed at time of hire. Must not have been convicted by a state or by the federal government of a crime, the punishment for which could have been imprisonment in a federal or state prison. Residency Requirement: Must reside within a one-hour normal driving time of Fire Station #1, or must comply with the following requirement: Employees shall not be allowed to reside in Mexico. Employees unable to meet departmental requirements for filling overtime on short notice may be ineligible for certain categories of overtime (i.e., sick leave relief, etc.) and Modification of an employee’s work schedule in order to mitigate the personal impacts of long-distance commuting will not be permitted.
• Education: Must be at least 18 years of age at the time of appointment. Must be a high school graduate or have passed the G.E.D. test with overall minimum score of 45 and minimum score of 35 on any test.
• Licenses / Certificates and Other Requirements: Must possess a valid Class C California Driver’s License at the time of appointment. Must obtain a Firefighter endorsement to accompany the Class C California Driver’s License within two years of employment.
• To apply for this position, applicant must: Be currently licensed as a paramedic in the State of California, in the process of becoming licensed or currently attending paramedic school; and Be accredited in San Diego County, have San Diego County EMS provisional accreditation or be capable of becoming accredited in San Diego County. Must be a graduate of a California State Certified Firefighter I Academy or equivalent, or must currently be attending a California State Certified Firefighter I Academy and will have graduated by the time of appointment. Equivalency will be determined by the Escondido Fire Department Training Division.
• At the time of appointment, individuals must: Be currently licensed as a paramedic in the State of California. Must be accredited as a Paramedic in the County of San Diego within 90 days of hire. Paramedic licensure and accreditation must be maintained as a condition of continued employment. Escondido Fire Department paramedics must comply with the San Diego County EMS Paramedic Guidelines. Must be a graduate of a California State Certified Firefighter I Academy or equivalent, or must currently be attending a California State Certified Firefighter I Academy and will have graduated by the time of appointment. Equivalency will be determined by the Escondido Fire Department Training Division. Must obtain a State Firefighter I Certification within one year of employment if not possessed at time of hire. Must not have been convicted by a state or by the federal government of a crime, the punishment for which could have been imprisonment in a federal or state prison.
• Residency Requirement: Must reside within a one-hour normal driving time of Fire Station #1, or must comply with the following requirement: Employees shall not be allowed to reside in Mexico. Employees unable to meet departmental requirements for filling overtime on short notice may be ineligible for certain categories of overtime (i.e., sick leave relief, etc.) and
• Modification of an employee’s work schedule in order to mitigate the personal impacts of long-distance commuting will not be permitted.

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Benefits

• The City of Escondido offers a comprehensive benefit package including vacation, holiday, and sick leave as well as medical, dental, vision, and life insurance. The Benefits of Choice program offers you a range of benefits. You choose the coverage that is right for you, your family and your budget. Read this e-Guide for an overview of your options, with links to additional details and forms. For a more detailed overview of this benefits package, please visit the Fire Safety Benefit Summary and the Memorandum of Understanding.

Supplemental Questions