Firefighter / EMT

Protecting the City of Poquoson and saving lives requires exceptional people.  Join our dedicated team of First Responders in this crucial role of Firefighter/EMT.  The Poquoson Fire/Rescue is actively seeking a qualified candidate who possesses Firefighter II and EMT-I or higher (preferred).  Applications will be accepted online (www.ci.poquoson.va.us/jobs) or with our Human Resources Director, located in the City Manager's office at 500 City Hall Avenue, Poquoson - 2nd floor.  This position is full-time, non-exempt.

Firefighter / EMT

General Definition of Work:

Performs difficult protective service work providing fire suppression, emergency medical care and hazardous materials handling usually under emergency conditions, and related work as apparent or assigned.   Work is performed under the limited supervision of the Fire Lieutenant.

Qualification Requirements:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function satisfactorily.  The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required.

Essential Functions:

• Serves to protect life and property by combating and extinguishing fires.

• Ensures equipment is in a constant state of readiness for response.

• Provides fire prevention training through education.

• Performs routine maintenance of fire apparatus and equipment.

• Provides fire training through continuing education of constantly changing techniques as fire service evolves.

• Maintains inventory records for all equipment and supplies including medical equipment.

• Cleans fire and medical apparatus; cleans and maintains buildings and grounds.

• Serves as paramedic; provides advanced life support including medical evaluation, treatment and stabilizing the critically ill.

• Responds to emergency rescue situations involving potential loss of life or bodily injury.

• Maintains control and manages and directs patient care at the scene.

• Maintains and provides training and instruction to personnel; mentors personnel.

• Other duties as assigned, required, requested.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Thorough knowledge of the principles and techniques of emergency care, including diagnosis, proper treatment and automobile extraction and transportation; thorough knowledge of fire suppression methods and techniques; thorough knowledge of dangers and proper handling of hazardous materials; thorough knowledge of the street system and geography of the City; ability to understand and follow oral and written instructions; ability to establish and maintain cooperative relationships with associates and the general public; ability to keep records and prepare reports.   Thorough knowledge of firefighting techniques and procedures as applied to fire suppression; thorough knowledge of emergency medical techniques and procedures; general knowledge of the street system and physical layout of the City; general knowledge of hazardous materials and accident extrication principles and techniques; general knowledge of basic life support principles and techniques; ability to learn technical firefighting principles and techniques and principles of hydraulics as applied to fire suppression; ability to work at heights and in confined spaces.

Education and Experience:

High school diploma or GED and moderate experience supplemented by required firefighting, emergency medical and HAZMAT training, or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Physical Requirements:

This work requires the regular exertion of up to 25 pounds of force, frequent exertion of up to 100 pounds of force and occasional exertion of over 100 pounds of force; work frequently standing and speaking or hearing and occasionally requires walking, sitting, using hands to handle or feel, climbing or balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching or crawling, reaching with hands and arms, tasting or smelling, pushing or pulling, lifting and repetitive motions; work requires close vision, distance vision, ability to adjust focus, depth perception, color perception, night vision and peripheral vision; vocal communication is required for expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word and conveying detailed or important instructions to others accurately, loudly or quickly; hearing is required to perceive information at normal spoken word levels and to receive detailed information through verbal communications and/or to make fine distinctions in sound; work requires preparing and analyzing written or computer data, visual inspection involving small defects and/or small parts, using of measuring devices, assembly or fabrication of parts within arms-length, operating machines, operating motor vehicles or equipment and observing general surroundings and activities; work occasionally requires wet, humid conditions (non-weather), working near moving mechanical parts, working in high, precarious places, exposure to fumes or airborne particles, exposure to toxic or caustic chemicals, exposure to outdoor weather conditions, exposure to extreme heat (non-weather), exposure to the risk of electrical shock, exposure to vibration, wearing a self-contained breathing apparatus and exposure to bloodborne pathogens and may be required to wear specialized personal protective equipment; work is generally in a loud noise location (e.g. grounds maintenance, heavy traffic).  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable an individual with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Special Requirements:

Valid driver's license in the Commonwealth of Virginia.

_ The City of Poquoson is an Equal Opportunity Employer and values diversity in the workplace _