Fire

The Firefighter Paramedic may be stationed at any Colerain Fire Station and will serve as a first responder to critical medical and fire related incidents .

The Firefighter Paramedic functions as a line-level employee responsible for emergency medical incidents, fire-related incidents, hazardous materials incidents, public education events, training, in-station activities, and any other activities/events typically assigned to firefighter and basic EMS operations.

May include, but not limited to the following:

• Under supervision, career firefighter paramedics respond to fire incidents with an assigned company and assist in extinguishing fires in the protection of lives and property.
• Assist in cleaning and caring for apparatus, equipment and quarters.
• Administer emergency victim care by means of advanced life support and or basic life support
• Assist in rescue work in various emergencies
• May inspect buildings for fire and life safety hazards and compliance with fire and life safety codes.
• Shall conduct a daily inventory of all EMS units.
• Shall assist with EMS training.
• Shall follow the established infection control program.
• Shall respond to, and render aid in the event of a natural disaster.
• Shall respond to fires, emergency medical scenes, and any other emergency scenes to render assistance and/or care where needed.
• Shall perform general maintenance work around fire department property and buildings, to include working from ladders, lifting heavy objects, climbing on fire apparatus to perform service to same, and performing various manual labors.
• General maintenance and repair on medical equipment and apparatus.
• Shall have the ability to properly perform the following medical functions:
• Use medical equipment associated with the emergency medical service.

o Evaluate vital signs.

o Perform a complete patient assessment.

o Properly manage a patient’s airway.

o Splint sprains and fractures.

o Provide psychological first aid.

o Obstetrics.

o Control bleeding.

o Perform CPR.

o Perform equipment checks.

o Initiate I.V.’s.

o Initiate intraosseous I.V.’s.

o Perform chest decompression.

o Administer medications.

o Establish an airway using an ET tube or other Supraglottic airway device (medic only).

o Efficiently operate an AED

o Defibrillate and perform cardioversion.

o Perform a cricothyrotomy.

o Maintain security and direct the distribution of medications and controlled substances as dictated by a physician or protocol.

o Any other procedure included within the current Hamilton County protocol for EMT-P’s and/or any procedure authorized by the department’s Medical Director.

• At various points in their careers, firefighters may also be assigned to work in support divisions such as, but not limited to, training and education, community risk reduction or fire administration.

• Shall be capable of operating both as a member of a team, and working independently at incidents of uncertain duration.
• Shall be capable of physically and emotionally coping with highly stressful situations.
• Shall be capable of using a variety of hand tools.
• Shall be capable of using a self-contained breathing apparatus.
• Shall be capable of working in a hazardous environment and being exposed to the many hazards encountered on a fire, medical, and any other emergency scene.
• Shall be capable of operating portable fire extinguishers.
• Shall be capable of working with ropes and tying certain knots used in the fire service.
• Shall be capable of handling highly pressurized fire hoses.
• Shall be capable of safely operating portable power equipment, such as a chain saw.
• Shall be capable of clearly communicating on a two-way radio, and on the telephone.
• Shall be capable of passing the department’s job-related physical performance evaluation.
• Shall have the ability to medically treat all patients without bias to sex, age, race, culture, religion etc.
• Detect the presence of fire and/or smoke using the senses of sight, smell, or touch.
• Visually inspect buildings and fire equipment and visually examine the physical conditions of accident victims.
• Possess sufficient visual acuity in order to function optimally in dense smoke and darkness.
• Sufficiently hear instructions and commands while wearing protective headgear at fire and emergency scenes.
• Shall have acute hearing in order to locate somebody during a search and rescue, when a verbal or electronic signal is emitted.
• Balance on ice, oil, and water slick surfaces as may be encountered in the course of firefighting and rescue operations, and fire safety inspections.
• Understand the theories of fire science, fire safety and prevention, and emergency medical training, and apply theoretical knowledge on a practical level.
• Work cooperatively with subordinates’ supervisors and the public under extremely stressful conditions, including situations of a life-threatening nature.
• Communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees, supervisors, other agencies, and the public.
• Utilize personal computers, including word processing software, calculator, copy and fax utilities, phone, mobile phone, mobile and portable radios, and automobiles.

• Must have a high school diploma or equivalent.
• Must have a minimum of a State of Ohio Firefighter Level I certification.
• Must have a current State of Ohio Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) – Paramedic certificate or currently be an EMT – Basic enrolled in an approved paramedic training program at the time of application.
• A successfully hired candidate possessing a State of Ohio Firefighter Level I certificate and or currently an EMT – Basic enrolled in an approved paramedic training program shall be a State of Ohio certified Firefighter Level II and or Paramedic by the end of the employee’s probation date.
• Candidates must be currently employed part-time with Colerain Fire amp; EMS at time of application or had been employed for at least two (2) years with the Department and separated in “good standing” within the past twelve (12) months.
• Must possess a valid State issued automobile driver’s license.
• Must have successfully completed the Colerain Fire amp; EMS Physical Performance Evaluation no more than twelve (12) months prior to the assessment process.
• State of Ohio EMT –Paramedic certification
• State of Ohio Fire or EMS Instructor certification

• The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an 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 frequently required to walk, sit and talk or hear. The employee will occasionally be required to manipulate, handle, feel, reach, push, and pull with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to stoop or crouch.
• Shall be capable of working in a very dark, hot, and dangerous environment.
• Shall be capable of climbing ladders ranging from 16-feet to 110-feet.
• Shall be capable of carrying ground ladders.
• Shall be capable of dragging, carrying, and connecting fire hose.
• Shall be capable of opening and closing a fire hydrant.
• Shall be capable of driving large fire department vehicles.
• Shall be capable of operating fire apparatus pumps and equipment.
• Bend, crouch, and stoop up to one-half hour at a time in order to tend to accident victims in tight spaces, such as those encountered in damaged automobiles and in other rescue settings.
• Walk, run, and jump as needed to respond to a fire, auto accident, home or industrial accident or other emergency situation.
• Step vertically three feet without assistance to enter a fire vehicle.
• The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 100 pounds. Specific vision abilities required of this position include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. This employee must successfully pass the department’s physical fitness and medical evaluations.

• 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 position, the employee occasionally works in hot, outside weather conditions and occasionally encounters dirt, dust, heat, fumes, and odors as well as mechanical, chemical, electrical and fire hazards.

· Exposure to extreme heat and toxic smoke.

· Exposure to potential building collapse.

· Exposure to cuts bruises sprains, fractures and any other injury that might occur on an emergency scene.

· Exposure to electrical hazards – electrocution hazard.

· Exposure to severe stress that could cause a fatal heart attack or stroke.

· Exposure to extreme weather conditions that could cause heat exhaustion, heat stroke, frostbite or any other weather-related injury or illness.

· Potential for exposure to contagious diseases including but not limited to hepatitis and aids.

· Exposure to dangerous and hazardous materials.

· Exposure to any and all such hazards that might be encountered while responding to, and working at a fire, EMS, rescue, hazardous materials disaster or any emergency scene.

· The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet while working in the office, or moderately noisy while working in the field.