Firefighter/EMT/Paramedic

The firefighter/paramedic protects life and property by performing firefighting, emergency aid, hazardous materials and fire prevention duties. The position maintains fire equipment, apparatus and facilities.

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

• Performs duties as a certified EMT Basic or EMT Paramedic, according to criteria and standards set forth by the department and the State of Wisconsin; and providing other assistance as required.
• Performs firefighting and rescue activities, laying hose, and performing fire combat, containment and extinguishment tasks. Have knowledge of driving ambulances, fire apparatus, operating pumps and related equipment. 
  • If assigned duties of Heavy Equipment Operator, member must meet those qualifications and perform those duties. 
• Participates in EMS and fire trainings.  Attends classes in emergency medical, firefighting, rescue, hazardous materials and other related subjects.
• Receives and relays calls and alarms. Operates radio, computers and other communication/technology equipment.
• Participates in the inspection / pre-planning of buildings, hydrants and other structures in fire prevention programs.
• Maintains medical and fire equipment, apparatus and facilities. Performs minor repairs to departmental equipment as applicable.  
• Performs general maintenance work in the upkeep of facilities and equipment; floor upkeep; cares for grounds around station; makes minor repairs; washes, hangs and dries hose; washes, cleans, polishes, maintains and tests apparatus and equipment.
• Assists in developing plans for special assignments such as emergency preparedness, emergency management, hazardous communications, training programs, firefighting, hazardous materials and emergency medical activities.
• Presents programs to the community on safety, medical, fire prevention and community risk reduction topics.  
• Performs salvage operations such as throwing salvage covers, sweeping water and removing debris.
• May act as the fire Lieutenant, when necessary.
• Assists in department administrative activities and community risk reduction as assigned.
• Assists in training new employees as assigned.
• Conducts basic fire inspections and fire investigations as assigned.

Other Duties

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job.   Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Position Type and Expected Hours of Work

This position regularly requires long hours and frequent weekend work.  Work occurs in difficult physical and environmental conditions. Additionally, duties and conditions in work is conducted can cause stress.  

Required Education/Training and Experience

• Must be 18 or older
• Possess valid Wisconsin driver’s license
• High school graduation or GED equivalent
• Licensure or ability to be licensed as Wisconsin Emergency Medical Technician - Basic 
• Certified Wisconsin Firefighter I

Preferred Education/Training and Experience

• Licensure or ability to be licensed as Wisconsin Emergency Medical Technician – Paramedic including current NREMT certification
• Certified Wisconsin Firefighter II
• Associate or Bachelor’s Degree
• Other EMS and Fire related coursed, certifications 
• Experience working with the public

The City of Greenfield reserves the right to utilize equivalencies where deemed appropriate with regard to education and experience requirements and may consider combinations of education and experience likely to lead to success with essential duties and responsibilities.

Other Qualifications 

State EMT Basic or Paramedic license including National Registry of EMT’s.   Possession and maintenance of a valid Wisconsin Motor Vehicle operator’s license required.  Must meet requirements of fire apparatus driver’s operator when applicable. 

Physical Demands

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. 

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit; talk; hear; stand; walk; use hands and fingers to feel, handle, or operate objects, tools or controls; and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl and smell.  Must be able to be qualified to use Self Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) and other required respirators.  Must be able to work in confined spaces.

The employee must frequently lift or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift or move up to 130 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.

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 of this job. 

While performing the duties of this job, the employee regularly works in outside weather conditions, including temperature extremes, during day and night shifts. Work is often performed in emergency and stressful situations. Individual is exposed to hearing alarms and hazards associated with fighting fires and rendering emergency medical assistance, including but not limited to smoke, noxious odors, fumes, chemicals, liquid chemicals, solvents, oils and unknowns.

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

 The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate, except during certain firefighting or EMT activities when noise levels may be loud.

Tools and Equipment Used

Fire apparatus, fire pumps, hoses, and other standard firefighting equipment, ladders, first aid equipment, radio, pager, personal computer, phone, camera, drafting equipment, measuring devices, power tools, hand tools, chain saws, shovels, brooms, ladders, air tools, exhaust fans, and generators. 

Must be able to utilize computers, phones, tablets, apps and other technological equipment.   

Must be able to operate passenger vehicles, fire apparatus and ambulance.

Must be able to apply patient restraints, medical/first-aid equipment, oxygen, blood pressure equipment, defibrillators, test equipment, general medical equipment, patient lifting devices, breathing apparatus, respirators and all other patient centric equipment.  

Must wear hearing and eye protection, firefighting turnout clothing, personal protective equipment and hazardous materials protective clothing.

Competencies

• Ethical Conduct
• Stress Management/Composure
• Problem Solving/Analysis
• Communication Proficiency
• Strategic Thinking
• Teamwork Orientation
• Diversity and Inclusion

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Working knowledge of driver safety.
• Working knowledge of emergency medical services.
• Ability to learn the operation of fire suppression and other emergency equipment.
• Ability to learn to apply standard firefighting, emergency medical services, hazardous materials and fire prevention techniques.
• Ability to perform strenuous or peak physical activities during emergency, training or station maintenance activities for prolonged periods of time under conditions of extreme heights, intense heat, cold and/or smoke.
• Ability to act effectively in emergency and stressful situations.
• Ability to follow verbal and written instructions.
• Ability to effectively communicate in writing and verbally.
• Ability to establish effective working relationships with employees, other agencies and the general public.
• Ability to make independent judgments that have considerable impacts on the organization.

Mathematical Skills

• Ability to add, subtract, multiply and divide in all units of measure using whole numbers, common fractions and decimals.
• Ability to perform mathematical skills as required when assigned as Heavy Equipment Operator.

Travel

Travel is primarily local during the business day, although some out-of-area travel and overnight may be expected.

Pre-Employment Requirements

Applicants will be required to submit to a pre-employment medical examination consistent with the requirements of the position, after an offer of employment and prior to appointment.  This medical examination is designed to reveal any medical condition that might put the Firefighter at increased risk to self or others as a result of certain exposures or activities and to exhibit freedom from any physical, emotional or mental condition which adversely affects the performance of duties as a firefighter in the essential functions of employment, with reasonable accommodation.  Applicants may be fingerprinted and a record check made of local, state or federal authorities. A conviction is not an automatic bar to employment.

Salary and Benefits

Wages and benefits are determined by the existing Agreement between the City of Greenfield and the International Association of Firefighters.

AAP/EEO Statement

It is the policy of the City of Greenfield not to discriminate unlawfully against any employee or applicant for employment because of age, race, religion, color, handicap, sex, physical condition, disability, national origin, creed, marital status, citizenship status, veteran status, membership in the military or national guard, use of a lawful product while off duty, ancestry, sexual orientation, arrest, or conviction record or any other characteristic protected by state or federal law.  This policy shall include, but not be limited to, the following: employment, upgrading, demotion or transfer; recruitment or other compensation; and selection for training, including apprenticeship.  This City further agrees to take affirmative action to ensure equal employment opportunities.

Salary : $57,645