Job Description

GENERAL DESCRIPTION:

A professional position responsible for preventing and extinguishing fires, protecting and saving life and property, the enforcement of County and State fire prevention codes and any laws pertaining to the prevention and control of fires, for rendering pre-hospital emergency response, basic life support, emergency care, and rescue services including the operation of fire trucks and ambulances.  

  ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

The following statements describe the principal functions of the job and its scope of responsibility but should not be considered an all-inclusive list of work requirements.  Individuals may perform other duties as assigned.  
• Responds to fire and EMS calls with a fire company and performs fire suppression, EMS, and rescue related duties as assigned or assumed. 
• Rescues and removes persons from danger. 
• Operates various pieces of fire apparatus and equipment to extinguish fires. 
• Ventilates burning buildings to eject smoke, heat, and gases. 
• Performs salvage and overhaul operations at fire scenes. 
• Performs cleaning and maintenance tasks on department buildings and equipment. 
• Performs fire hydrant maintenance 
• Performs annual testing and inspection of fire hose. 
• Attends trainings pertinent to firefighting, fire inspections, equipment operation, emergency medical treatment, and other related areas. 
• Promotes and conducts public education programs as directed. 
• Makes periodic visits to building to conduct pre-fire planning.
• Administers pre-hospital emergency medical and fire services authorized within the scope of practice and training.  
• Assists paramedics in providing Advanced Life Support care as assigned.  
• Handles emergency and non-emergency patient transfers as assigned, including both in-county and out-of-county. 
• Performs necessary firefighting and inspection duties.
• Completes necessary written reports, including patient & fire reports, patient bills, and daily team and unit reports in a timely, accurate fashion.
• Cleans and maintains apparatus and equipment on a daily basis, including maintaining required inventory supplies, and equipment.  Keeps assigned station clean.
• Maintains a professional and safe area adhering to established safety policies and the image desired for the organization.
• Consistently follows Board policies and procedures.
• Responds productively to change and performs all other related tasks as directed.
• Works productively with all personnel throughout the chain of command.

  KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Knowledge of cardiopulmonary resuscitation, the use of basic life support skills, and life sustaining equipment and practices.  
• Knowledge of safety and comfort measures and methods in the handling and treatment of patients.
* Knowledge of all basic and advanced Firefighting skills
• Knowledge and skill in defensive driving methods.  
• Ability to become familiar with the roadway/highway systems within Highlands County.  
• Knowledge of Florida safety requirements and privileges when responding to non-emergency and emergency situations.  
• Knowledge of Florida traffic and driving regulations.
• Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.  
• Ability to make sound judgments.  
• Ability to work as part of a team.  
• Ability to adhere to physician instructions, protocols and standing orders.  
• Ability to continually learn and update techniques and procedures in firefighting and emergency medical care. 
• Ability to understand and carry out oral and written instructions.  
• Ability to climb and skill to perform minor maintenance on an apparatus.  
• Must have legible handwriting.
• Ability to maintain effective working relationships with co-workers, managers, supervisors, directors, elected officials, vendors, and the 
general public.

This work requires the regular exertion of up to 10 pounds of force and frequent exertion of over 100 pounds of force; work regularly requires speaking or hearing, frequently requires standing, sitting, using hands to finger, handle or feel, lifting independently in excess of 125 pounds (or combined weight of 250 pounds) and repetitive motions and occasionally requires walking, climbing or balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching or crawling, pushing or pulling and lifting and occasionally requires tasting or smelling and repetitive motions; work requires close vision, distance vision, ability to adjust focus, depth  perception, color perception, night vision and peripheral vision; vocal communication is required for expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word and conveying detailed or important instructions to others accurately, loudly or quickly; hearing is required to perceive information at normal spoken word levels and to receive detailed information through oral communications and/or to make fine distinctions in sound; work requires preparing and analyzing written or computer data, visual inspection involving small defects and/or small parts, using of measuring devices, assembly or fabrication of parts within arm’s length, operating machines, operating motor vehicles or equipment and observing general surroundings and activities.

  EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:
Graduation from high school or possession of an acceptable equivalence diploma. Maintain a current Florida Firefighter 2, B.L.S./C.P.R. certification.  Certification of completion of a Florida approved E.V.O.C.16 hr. defensive driving course. No comparable amount of training or experience may be substituted for the minimum qualifications.

LICENSES, CERTIFICATIONS, OR REGISTRATIONS:

Must possess a valid Florida Driver License.  Valid Florida Firefighter 2. Must obtain Florida Paramedic certification within Three (3) years. BLS CPR certification. 

OTHER JOB-RELATED REQUIREMENTS:

Disaster Essential. 

THE HIGHLANDS COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
Does not Discriminate on the basis of age, race, sex, religious belief, color, national origin, disability/handicap, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, genetics or any other legally protected group/class. We are proud to be a drug free workplace. Screening tests for illegal drug use may be required as a condition of employment

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