Fire Engineer/Paramedic

The mission of our department is to ensure the safety and welfare of the public we serve through the services we provide. As a Fire Engineer, you will continue demonstrating the organization's values and responding to emergencies. You will also drive, maintain, and operate fire department apparatus and emergency vehicles with particular awareness of city geography and water systems. You will remain an essential member of the fire company.

•  Show interest and understand internal and external customers' needs, expectations, and circumstances and respond accordingly.

•  Establish rapport and relate well to all levels in the organization.

• Respond to fire alarms as the fire apparatus driver; place equipment in the most efficient position; make hose connections at the pump; operate the pump and ensure proper pressure and water flow; and other equipment as required.

• Respond to requests for emergency medical care and participate in rescue and medical care activities; operate and maintain rescue and emergency medical care equipment.

• Drive and operate fire apparatus safely, efficiently, and defensively in emergency and non-emergency situations, and be constantly aware of the safety of self and passengers.

• Participate in training exercises, classes in firefighting techniques, equipment operation and care, and related activities.

• Clean, service, and maintain assigned apparatus, reserve apparatus, and equipment to ensure proper working condition; report and document mechanical failures or difficulties.

• Perform regular apparatus check-outs/inspections.

• Perform general maintenance and cleaning to upkeep departmental equipment, furnishings, and structures.

• Act as a company officer in the absence of the Fire Captain, e.g., establish command posts, make assignments, etc.

• Maintain familiarity with response area/district (e.g., reviews maps, pre-fire plans, etc.).

• Communicate with Company Officer and other crew members to inform them of changes in equipment status or readiness during emergencies and non-emergencies.

• Keep current with the requirements of the California Vehicle Code and maintain a good driving record both on and off duty. Obey traffic laws and departmental policies and procedures while driving.

• Complete written/electronic forms and logs to document and keep track of apparatus and equipment records.

• Maintain a thorough knowledge of City geography, topography, and water systems.

• Perform the duties and responsibilities of a Firefighter as required.

• Perform related duties and responsibilities as required.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities

Demonstrate knowledge of modern firefighting, rescue, and emergency services techniques, methods, and practices; inspection, operation, and maintenance of all fire apparatus; fireground hydraulics; Sierra Madre topography and water systems; firefighting tools and equipment; applicable sections of the vehicle code, departmental rules and regulations, and federal, state and local laws and statutes governing the operation of emergency vehicles and fire department apparatus; requirements for water supplies during fires (e.g., g.p.m., fire flow, etc.); apparatus types, uses, and operating procedures; departmental safety regulations, and policies and procedures.

The ability to understand and adequately execute oral and written instructions; drive and operate fire department apparatus in both emergency and non-emergency situations; respond quickly to changing situations and remain calm under emergency conditions; make rapid and accurate mathematical calculations; supervise and participate in training activities; assume command of a fire company; identity, troubleshoot, and make minor repairs to firefighting equipment/apparatus; prepare clear, concise, and accurate reports; communicate in writing with others (e.g., with paper-and-pencil/pen, City computers and computer system, e-mail, etc.); establish and maintain effective working relationships with supervisors, other city employees, and the public; implement proactive techniques that improve safety of self and others; speak in front of groups during station tours, public demonstrations, inspections, etc.

Qualifications

• Have at least four (4) full-time, verified years of service with a recognized fire agency in California.
  • Eligible candidates can also qualify with a combined total of full-time paid and volunteer or part-time paid experience, equivalent to three (3) years of full-time paid experience as a Firefighter performing suppression duties in a recognized fire agency in California. The equivalency ratio is set at 2:1 (e.g., two months of volunteer or part-time paid experience is equivalent to one month of full-time paid experience).
• Non-Probationary in the rank of Engineer
• Must possess and maintain as a minimum, a valid Class C California Driver’s License with Firefighter Endorsement 
• Possession of valid California State EMT Basic Certification (EMT-B) or
• California State Paramedic License (EMT-P), with local accreditation at time of appointment (highly desired)
• AHA BLS Healthcare Provider Certificate

IMPORTANT APPLICATION INFORMATION AND INSTRUCTIONS

The Examination Process will consist of a Written Exam and a Practical Examination. The dates and descriptions are provided below:

The Written Exam is set to be administered on March 10, 2025 (Tentative).

 It will consist of a multiple-choice component and a timed hydraulic calculation component. Candidates must pass each component to be invited to the Practical Examination. Multiple Choice Written Examination is 25%, and Practical Examination is 75% of the total score.

The Practical Examination is tentatively scheduled for March 17, 2025. 

For candidates passing the written exam and assessment center, records of performance and seniority will be factored in as determined by Human Resources and the Fire Chief to determine placement on a ranked list.

Candidates must be specific and complete in describing their qualifications for this position. Stating "See Resume'" is not an acceptable substitute for a completed application. Please state all pertinent information to avoid elimination from consideration.

The following are resources for the written exam:

• IFSTA Essentials of Firefighting and Fire Department Operations 6th Ed. ISBN-13: 978-0133140804
• California Commercial Driver Handbook Version: 2017-2018

The physical and mental demands described here are representative of those that must be met by employees to successfully perform the essential functions of this class. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

 Physical Demands:

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand; walk; use hands and fingers to feel, handle, or operate objects, tools, or controls; and reach with hands and arms. The employee is required to sit, climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl, talk, hear, taste and smell. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move more than 150 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.

While performing the duties of this class, the employee is regularly required to use oral and communication skills; analyze and solve problem; observe and interpret situations; read and interpret data, interact with the general public, City staff (including supervision of fire fighters and subordinate staff), and other organizations.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Work is predominantly performed in an office setting. Not infrequently, work is performed in emergency and stressful situations and the employee may be exposed to hearing alarms and hazards associated with fighting fires, rescues, and rendering emergency medical assistance, including smoke, noxious odors, fumes, and chemicals. During these emergency situations and others, the employee works in outside weather conditions, including temperature extremes, during day and night.

The employee occasionally works near moving mechanical parts, in high, precarious places and is occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions, fumes or airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals, risk of electrical shock, and vibration. It is reasonably anticipated that the individual may be exposed to blood-borne pathogens and other infectious materials in the course of his/her duties.

The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet, except during certain firefighting, rescue, hazardous materials, or EMS activities when noise levels may be loud.

Disaster Service Workers

All City of Sierra Madre employees are designated Disaster Service Workers through state law (California Government Code Section 3100-3109). Employees are required to complete all Disaster Service Worker-related training as assigned, and to return to work as ordered in the event of an emergency.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The City of Sierra Madre is an Equal Opportunity Employer.  In compliance with the Americans With Disabilities Act, the City of Sierra Madre will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective employees and incumbents to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.

Salary : $91,571 - $122,465