Job Summary
The Firemedic position reports to the Assistant Fire Chief, in the absence of a Lieutenant. The Village of Pleasant Prairie provides both Fire and Rescue (EMS) service to the community of Pleasant Prairie and those areas identified in the mutual aid system.
The Firemedic is a highly skilled and technical position within the Fire and Rescue Department. The primary responsibility of this position is to provide rapid, effective, and efficient fire suppression, prevention, rescue (EMS) emergency, Hazardous Materials, and Technical Rescue services within the areas served by the Fire and Rescue Department. The Firemedic is assigned to work shifts and stations. The Firemedic can be called to respond to stations, fire scenes, and emergency medical calls, as well as other emergencies while off duty.
Essential Job Duties & Responsibilities
- Performs multiple, complex, and high-risk procedures and techniques in responding to fire and non-fire emergencies within the Village and mutual aid districts and provides the necessary skills to mitigate danger to life and property, including but not limited to, driving fire apparatus; operating pumps and related equipment; laying hose; and performing fire combat, containment, and extinguishment tasks.
- Provides emergency medical care and transport as a licensed EMT – Paramedic to the standards established by the department, the department recognized EMS system, and the State of Wisconsin.
- Complies with all Department policies and procedures, writes reports, maintains records and daily logs.
- Participates in the inspection of buildings, hydrants, and other structures in fire prevention programs and is responsible for the enforcement of state, local fire codes and providing public fire education.
- Creates and maintains thorough and accurate records of patient care provided. Required documentation may be in written or digital format, as required by the department or other agencies.
- Maintains stations, equipment, and vehicles assigned to the Fire & Rescue Department. Performs household duties at fire station such as, but not limited to, sweeping, mopping, power washing, etc.
- Works as a team and acts and exercises initiative and independent judgment at emergency scenes while potentially under significant stress and/or in hazardous conditions.
- Maintains required certifications and attends assigned training sessions and continuing education classes as required by the Department.
- Assists in developing plans for special assignments such as emergency preparedness, hazardous communications, training programs, firefighting, hazardous materials, and emergency aid activities.
- Familiar with and operates all fire and rescue vehicles and equipment.
- Meets attendance requirements of the shift which requires work during fire or rescue emergencies, weekends, holidays, and callbacks. Remains at incident scenes for extended periods of time.
- Operates emergency vehicles with due regard of speed, both day and night, or weather conditions.
- Maintains a considerable knowledge of the response area.
- Performs equipment checks, repair and/or routine maintenance, and cleaning of fire and rescue vehicles, equipment, mechanical facilities of building(s), building interior, exterior, and grounds.
- Joins and maintains membership in the Kenosha County Specialized Response Teams – Hazardous Materials Team.
- Learns and utilizes current and new techniques, technologies of firefighting and emergency medicine; attends training classes to improve skills.
- Satisfactorily completes 100% of the Paramedic Continuing Education curriculum sponsored by the department or recognized EMS System.
- Connects and disconnects hose couplings easily and quickly.
- The job duties listed above are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position.
Days & Hours Weekly, Scheduled Breaks and Estimated Overtime
- 24-hour shift worked as follows: 7:00 a.m. – 7:00 a.m. 1-day on / 2-days off; 56-hours per week (average); additional time as the job dictates; Subject to emergency on-call; Subject to shift definitions described in the collective bargaining agreement.
Tools and Equipment Used
- Calculator; copy machine; computer; fax machine; telephone; measuring devices; camera; power tools; hand tools; chainsaws; shovels; brooms; ladders; exhaust fans; automobile; fire truck; ambulance; patient restraints; first aid equipment; oxygen; electronics test equipment; general medical equipment; patient lifting devices; breathing apparatus; specialized technical rescue equipment; steel-toe boots; hearing and eye protection; breathing apparatus; firefighting clothing; firefighting turnout clothing; and hazardous chemical clothing.
Environmental Conditions
The environmental conditions described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
- Fumes, chemicals, dust, odor: Exposed to extremely toxic and hot gases, fumes, and smoke; exposure to hazardous substances; odors from cleaning solvents, fuels, vehicle exhausts including diesel exhausts, and toxic materials.
- Exposure to extreme changes in temperature: Exposed to extremely high temperatures in enclosed spaces from fires; heat from hot/scorched items; normal Midwest seasonal changes and temperatures.
- Vibration: Vibration occurs when using power equipment such as chain saw, or riding in an engine, emergency vehicles, or truck.
- Light: Duties may be performed under natural and artificial light, at night, or inside buildings where visibility is extremely poor due to thick smoke or electricity outage.
- Noise: Exposed to loud and very loud noises from pumps, engines, trucks, sirens, and loud voices from commanders and fellow Firefighters / Paramedics.
- Ventilation: Exposed to extremely poor ventilation conditions at fire scenes; use of a breathing device often required.
- Hazards: Exposed to fall hazards from climbing ladders or stairs; exposed to burn and smoke/gas inhalation hazards from working around fires and/or combustible materials; exposed to electrical shot hazards, especially if working around electrical lines; exposed to fast moving traffic at MVA scenes; risk of being hit by falling objects, exposure to airborne and bloodborne pathogens; exposed to wet, icy, or muddy areas; contact with water or liquid.
Language Skill Requirements
- Ability to follow verbal and written instructions.
- Ability to effectively communicate verbally and in writing.
- Ability to understand and carry out orders and assignments in both emergency and non-emergency situations.
- Ability to make public presentations and interact with the community at various social events and outreach gatherings.
- Ability to interpret and understand body language and be able to locate people by the sound of their voice, movements, etc.
Cognitive / Psychosocial Requirements
- Ability to learn to apply standard firefighting, emergency aid, hazardous materials, and fire prevention techniques.
- Ability to determine the nature of emergency situations, maintain personal safety, and make critical decisions in a confused, chaotic, and potentially life-threatening environment throughout the duration of the operation.
- Cope with and perform under chaotic and emergency situations; guide and communicate with victims who may be distressed, incoherent, English-limited, or who may be children.
- Ability to maintain focus on task while integrating information from multiple, simultaneous sources such as, radio communications, and communications from fellow Firefighters / Paramedics.
- Recall, process, and apply detailed and complex emergency response protocols and instructions.
- Organize and prioritize time, decisions, and resources.
- Adapt quickly and efficiently to changing priorities, tasks, emergencies, and environmental circumstances.
- Respond to and execute orders from commanders.
- Ability to make independent judgements which have considerable impacts to the organization.
- Cope with heights; ability to ascend and descend ground and aerial ladders.
- Ability to perform duties professionally and satisfactorily in a full 24-hour shift.
- Ability to self-assess and report any diminishing physical and/or psychological capacities affecting job performance.
- Ability to maintain a positive attitude towards the job and demonstrates levels of empathy towards patients.
- Ability to work and cooperate with a close-knit team.
Physical Demands
The physical requirements described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
- While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand; walk; sit; use hands and fingers to feel, handle or operate objects, tools or controls; reach with hands and arms; and talk and hear. The employee is occasionally required to climb and balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, and crawl; and smell. push, pull, climb, stoop, crouch, crawl, reach, run, grapple, bend/twist, communicate, hear, and the ability to lift and drag a range of weight of at least 150 pounds.
- Frequently requires the ability to lift, push, pull, and/or move up to 100 pounds.
- Meets the vision requirements as outlined in NFPA 1582 Chapter 6, which includes, close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
- Requires the ability to occasionally make rapid transitions from rest to near maximal exertion without warm up periods.
- Required to wear personal protective equipment while performing various strenuous firefighting, rescue, and other related tasks, including wearing a respirator, SCBA and SABA.
- Requires the ability to frequently move adult patients in confined or tight spaces and at different elevations with assistance of another team member.
- Frequently requires the ability to skillfully perform repetitive tasks.
Qualifications on Date of Hire
- At least 18 years of age and able to work in the United States.
- High school diploma or equivalent.
- Valid Driver’s License
- Valid State of Wisconsin or National Registry – Paramedic Certification. This includes supporting certifications in CPR, ACLS, and PALS. Current students are encouraged to apply.
- State of Wisconsin Certified Firefighter I or equivalent.
- Completed Candidate Physical Ability Test Certification (CPAT) within the past 3 years or prior to hire.
- All Village of Pleasant Prairie Fire Department employees shall sign an agreement and remain completely tobacco free as a condition of employment.
Qualifications Post-Hire
- Must live within and maintain residency within residency boundaries as defined by the collective bargaining agreement.
- State of Wisconsin Certified Firefighter II within 12 months of hire date
- Wisconsin Fire Driver Operator – Pumper within 12 months of hire date
- Pleasant Prairie Fire & Rescue Motor Pump Operator in-house curriculum within 12 months of hire date
- Wisconsin Fire Driver Operator – Aerial within 24 months of hire date
Required Trainings Post-Hire
The following trainings are required to be successfully completed within the first 3-years of employment at a minimum; time frame and scheduling is dependent on class availability and review by the Chief:
- Hazardous Materials Technician
- Rope Operations
- Confined Space Operations
- Trench Operations
- Structural Collapse Operations
Application Process
- Complete online application at the Village of Pleasant Prairie’s website.
- Attach a copy of the following to the online application:
- High School Diploma or proof of highest degree earned.
- Professional Resume
- State of Wisconsin EMT-Paramedic License or proof of enrollment in a paramedic program.
- National Registry EMT-Paramedic License.
- State of Wisconsin Firefighter Level I Certification or proof of enrollment in this program.
- State of Wisconsin Firefighter Level II Certification (preferred, not required)
- State of Wisconsin Driver/Operator-Pumper Certification (preferred, not required)
- Form DD214, if applicable for Veterans
Selection & Pre-Hire Process
Candidates that meet the minimum requirements and submit all required supplemental documents will be eligible to participate in the selection process that will include the following steps:
- Department Interview
- Police & Fire Commission Interview
Post-Offer Process
- Pre-employment criminal background check, employment verification, motor vehicle record check, and US Department of Health & Human Services Office of Inspector General Exclusion List review.
- Pre-employment Psychological evaluation.
- Pre-employment medical exam consistent with NFPA 1582 requirements and drug screen.
Village of Pleasant Prairie is an Equal Opportunity Employer.