Firefighter/Paramedic

PRIMARY PURPOSE:

Protects life and property by performing firefighting, emergency medical treatment and transport, hazardous materials mitigation, and fire prevention duties. Maintains fire equipment, apparatus, and facilities.

SUPERVISION:

Under direct supervision of a Fire Captain.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED:

May assist in coordinating, instructing, or supervising the work of new recruits or other departmental personnel, as assigned.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

1. Performs firefighting activities, including driving fire apparatus, operating pumps and related equipment, laying hose, and performing fire combat, containment, and extinguishment tasks.
2. Performs emergency medical aid activities, including treatment and transportation of the sick and injured, and provides other assistance as required.
3. Participates in fire drills and attends classes in firefighting, emergency medicine, hazardous materials, and related subjects.
4. Receives and relays fire calls and alarms. Operates the radio and other communication equipment.
5. Participates in the inspection of commercial occupancies as part of the department's fire prevention program.
6. Participates in the inspection of fire hydrants as directed.
7. Maintains fire equipment, apparatus, and facilities. Performs minor repairs to departmental equipment.
8. Performs general maintenance work in the upkeep of fire facilities and equipment; cleans and washes walls and floors; cares for grounds around the station; makes minor repairs; washes, hangs, and dries hose; and washes, cleans, polishes, maintains, and tests apparatus and equipment.
9. Assists in developing plans for special assignments, such as emergency preparedness, hazardous communications, training programs, firefighting, hazardous materials, and emergency first aid activities.
10. Presents programs to the community on safety, medical, and fire prevention topics.
11. Assists in department supervisory and administrative activities as assigned.
12. Presents public information classes or programs as directed.
13. Installs Child Passenger Safety Seats.

SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE, AND ABILITIES:

1. Working knowledge of driver safety.
2. Working knowledge of emergency medicine at the paramedic level as delivered in the field.
3. Knowledge of drug therapy, intravenous therapy, cardiac monitoring, advanced 12- and 15-lead EKG interpretation, cardiac pacing, advanced and surgical airway techniques, patient extraction, and trauma and medical assessment skills, as well as the ability to retain extensive knowledge of hospital-based treatment protocols.
4. Ability to learn the operation of fire suppression and other emergency equipment.
5. Ability to learn to apply standard firefighting, emergency medical, hazardous materials, and fire prevention techniques.
6. Ability to perform at peak physical effort during emergency, training, or station maintenance activities for prolonged periods of time under conditions of extreme heights, intense heat, cold, or smoke, and exposure to bodily fluids.
7. Ability to act effectively in emergency and stressful situations.
8. Ability to follow verbal and written instructions.
9. Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing.
10. Ability to establish effective working relationships with employees, other agencies, and the general public.
11. Working knowledge of fire suppression and prevention principles, procedures, techniques, and equipment.
12. Superior knowledge of advanced and basic life support skills and resuscitation techniques and their application.
13. Ability to meet the special requirements listed below, as applicable.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

• Must be 21 years of age or older at the time of employment.
• Possess a current State of Missouri Paramedic license OR National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians Paramedic certification.
• Current BLS Certification (CPR).
• Current ACLS (Advanced Cardiac Life Support) Certification.
• Current PALS (Pediatric Advanced Life Support) OR Handtevy Certification.
• St. Louis County Fire Academy Certification PREFERRED
  • Applicants without St. Louis County Fire Academy Certification will be considered.
• Current CPAT (Candidate Physical Ability Test) OR ability to obtain prior to hire date.
  • Candidate Physical Ability Test (C.P.A.T.) – St. Louis County Fire Academy.
• Certifications MUST be submitted with the application.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• Possess a current National Registry or State of Missouri Paramedic license without any history of suspension or revocation at the time of appointment; ACLS (Advanced Cardiac Life Support); PALS (Pediatric Advanced Life Support) or Handtevy Certification; PHTLS (Pre-Hospital Trauma Life Support) or ITLS (International Trauma Life Support) certifications; a valid Driver's License; and a High School diploma or GED. (EMS certifications of ACLS, PALS or Handtevy, and PHTLS or ITLS may change as a matter of medical control discretion.)
• National Child Passenger Safety Certification – Technician. This certification is required at the first available opportunity, as determined by Fire Department Administration. This certification shall be maintained in current status throughout employment. The ability to drop this certification shall be on a seniority basis at the discretion of the Fire Chief. (This requirement from 2015 forward.)
• Skill in the operation of the listed tools and equipment.

TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT USED

Emergency medical aid unit, fire apparatus, fire pumps, hoses, and other standard firefighting equipment, ladders, first aid equipment, radio, pager, personal computer, and phone.

Current Openings for Firefighter/Paramedic Jobs at City of Kirkwood