Fire Apparatus Operator / EMT

SALARY:

$58,284.55 - $78,282.91

Annually SUMMARY :

This is skilled firefighting work involving the operation of mechanical apparatus and equipment in the protection of life and property through the extinguishing of fires. It is distinguished from the Firefighter classification in that it also includes driving a fire engine, aerial apparatus, or snorkel and requires an understanding of firefighting methods and the operation of the equipment or apparatus used. Includes providing care to the sick and injured, and participating in community risk reduction initiatives. Includes knowledge and skills of Firefighter I, Firefighter II . This is skilled work in responding to emergency and non-emergency calls in Douglas County to provide basic emergency life support and to transport patients to the appropriate medical facility. No supervisory responsibilities are assigned to this classification.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Duties include but are not limited to:

• Participates in community risk reduction initiatives, including public safety education and community safety campaigns.
• Engages with community, promoting a culture of safety and inclusivity.
• Follows department and county ordinances, policies, guidelines.
• Responding to various types of emergencies such as fires, accidents, medical emergencies, hazardous materials incidents, and natural catastrophes; may drive emergency medical vehicles to the scene of an emergency based on certification.
• Administering aid to injured or sick persons; based on EMS licensure; provides hospital personnel with information concerning the nature of the emergency and the steps necessary to provide immediate medical assistance.

Cares, inspects, cleans, and maintains firefighting equipment, firefighter personnel protective equipment, apparatus, and fire station. Performs custodial and grounds maintenance work on assigned shift at designated fire station. Inspects fire hydrants and performs hydrant duties as assigned.

• Maintains familiarity with territory, hospital receiving facilities, and large high hazard. Conducts pre-incident planning for commercial properties and businesses. Participates in in-service training activities, physical fitness exercises, drills and demonstrations to learn fire service skills. Attend classes to maintain certification as a certified firefighter.
• Preparing, completing, maintaining, and submitting reports pertaining to shift activities.
• Performing other duties as assigned.

INCLUDES FIREFIGHTER I ESSENTIAL DUTIES

Respond to fire alarms; participates in fire extinguishment, search and rescue, and salvage/overhaul. Performs medical emergency care to licensed scope of practice.

INCLUDES FIREFIGHTER II ESSENTIAL DUTIES

:

• Advancing knowledge and techniques for fire extinguishment, search and rescue, and salvage/overhaul. Includes gas cylinder and ignitable liquid fire.
• Advancing knowledge and techniques of proper fire and EMS reporting; includes fire and EMS coding.

EMERGENCY MEDICAL TECHNICIAN

• Maintaining an adequate inventory supply aboard emergency medical vehicles through regular checks
• Functions within EMS Scope of Practice as defined by the Georgia State Office of EMS
• Operate within a mobile integrated health platform
• Attending classes to maintain certification as an Emergency Medical Technician

FIRE APPARATUS OPERATOR

• Ability to function independently without specific instruction or supervision.
• Operates a fire apparatus in responding to fire or other emergencies such as natural disasters, hazardous material incidents, medical emergencies or motor vehicle accidents .

FIRE APPARATUS OPERATOR - AERIAL

• Operates aerial apparatus in responding to fire or other emergencies such as natural disasters, hazardous material incidents, medical emergencies or motor vehicle accidents.

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. MINIMUM EDUCATION and/or

EXPERIENCE

High school diploma or general education degree (GED).

• State of Georgia Firefighter II certification.
• One year of experience as Firefighter

II. ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

: Must be eighteen (18) years of age or older. Must have no felony convictions within the past ten (10) years. Must have the ability to pass a physical examination Must have the ability to pass the minimum physical fitness requirements as set forth by Firefighter Professional Qualification. Must be able to pass all entry requirements and background processes. Must met currently transfer requirements / successfully pass promotional testing when open positions are available.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS

:

• Career Matrix Certifications Possession of a valid Georgia driver's license (Class C) and a satisfactory motor vehicle record (MVR). Must successfully obtain Georgia Class F driver's license within twelve (12) months of employment. Certified as State of Georgia firefighter II, maintain certification. Certified as Hazmat Awareness and Operations level; maintain certification.
• Licensed as an Emergency Medical Technician Emergency Medical Technician by the State of Georgia; maintain licensure.

(

NOTE:

EMT is a grandfathered licensure level for Fire Apparatus Operator. EMT-Advanced or higher is required)

• Certification in Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR); maintain certification.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

: Ability to use problem solving skills that will allow navigation through issues and problems. Ability to establish facts and to draw valid conclusions. Ability to understand and follow detailed oral and written instructions. Ability to organize and time manage different responsibilities and tasks. Ability to communicate effectively and clearly with internal and external stakeholders. Ability to maintain a friendly attitude under all circumstances toward the public. Ability to be empathetic toward the general public while dealing with issues and problems. Ability to connect with and relay safety information through community risk reduction initiatives. Knowledge of basic hydrant inspection techniques and principles. Ability to conduct basic hydrant inspection, provide routine care, and reporting. Knowledge of pre-incident planning. Ability to pre-incident plan commercial businesses. Knowledge of the core values and beliefs of the Douglas County Fire/EMS Department and the ability to share those principles with the public.

• Ability to follow established safety rules and departmental policies and procedures.

Show a willingness to do more than what is expected to meet customer service needs from the public. Ability to communicate and interact effectively with co-workers, other county employees and the general public. Ability to react quickly, remain calm in all situations including dealing with the public. Knowledge of state traffic laws for emergency vehicles. Knowledge of the geography of the County and the ability to become familiar with all County roads and highways.

• Ability to mechanically inspect and check assigned vehicle.
• Ability to conduct routine inspection, care, and/or basic maintenance on fire equipment, personnel protective equipment, apparatus, and fire station. Knowledge of basic life support and CPR.
• Ability to prepare and maintain accurate reports and records.
• Ability to successfully complete an Emergency Vehicle Operations Course.
• Ability to retain valid certification as a Certified Firefighter and Emergency Medical Technician on an annual basis.
• Firefighter I knowledge, skills, and abilities
• Firefighter II knowledge, skills, and abilities

EMERGENCY MEDICAL TECHNICIAN

• Applies knowledge of the EMS system, safety/well-being of the EMT, medical/legal and ethical issues to the provision of emergency care.
• Applies knowledge of the anatomy and function of all human systems to the practice of EMS.
• Uses anatomical and medical terms and abbreviations in written and oral communication with colleagues and other health care professionals.
• Applies knowledge of the pathophysiology of respiration and perfusion to patient assessment and management
• Applies knowledge of life span development to patient assessment and management.
• Applies knowledge of the principles of public health epidemiology including public health emergencies, public health monitoring, health promotion and illness and injury prevention.
• Applies knowledge of the medications the EMT may administer to a patient during an emergency and chronic or maintenance medications the patient may be taking.
• Applies knowledge of anatomy and physiology to patient assessment and management in order to assure a patent airway, adequate mechanical ventilation and respiration for patients of all ages.
• Applies scene information and patient assessment findings (scene size up, primary and secondary assessment, patient history and reassessment) to guide emergency management.
• Applies knowledge to provide emergency care and transportation based on assessment findings for an acutely ill patient.
• Applies knowledge of the causes, pathophysiology and management of shock, respiratory failure or arrest, cardiac failure or arrest, termination of resuscitative efforts and post resuscitation management.
• Applies knowledge to provide emergency care and transportation based on assessment findings for an acutely injured patient.
• Applies knowledge of growth, development and aging and assessment findings to provide emergency care and transportation for a patient with special needs.
• Knowledge of operational roles and responsibilities to ensure patient, public and personnel safety
• Perform a basic history and physical examination to identify acute complaints and monitor changes.
• Formulate a field diagnosis based upon an actual and/or potential illness or injury.
• Effectively communicates in a non-discriminatory manner that addresses inherent or unconscious bias, is culturally aware and sensitive, and intended to improve patient outcome.
• Safely and effectively perform all psychomotor skills within the National EMS Scope of Practice Model
• Initiates interventions based on assessment findings intended to provide symptom relief (within the provider's scope of practice) while providing access to definitive care
• Evaluates the effectiveness of interventions and modifies treatment plan accordingly.
• Ensure the safety of the rescuer, other public safety personnel, civilians and the patient.
• Ability to retain valid certification as an Emergency Medical Technician.

(

Note:

EMT is a grandfathered licensure level for fire apparatus operator)

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by any employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; and talk or hear. The employee is required to reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl The employee must occasionally lift and/or move more than 100 pounds Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus Some tasks require the ability to perceive and discriminate colors or shades of colors, sounds, taste, odor, depth, texture, and visual cues or signals

WORK ENVIRONMENT

: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee regularly works in outside weather conditions and is regularly exposed to extreme heat.
• The employee frequently works near moving mechanical parts and in high, precarious places and is frequently exposed to fumes or airborne particles and toxic or caustic chemicals.
• The employee occasionally works with explosives and is occasionally exposed to risk of electrical shock.
• The noise level in the work environment is often very loud when fighting a fire.
• Work involves an exposure to personal danger and psychological stress