Firefighter / Medic (Firefighter / Paramedic)

Job Announcement

One of the most Dynamic Counties in the Nation

$10,000 Sign-on BONUS

Fairfax County is a diverse urban county with over 1.1 million residents which boasts a nationally recognized school system, safe neighborhoods, extensive parklands, and bustling town centers. This urban county has a history of stable political leadership, effective citizen engagement, and outstanding service delivery .

About the Department

The Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department (FCFRD) received a Class 1 rating from the Insurance Services Office (ISO) in 2014 and was accredited through the Commission on Fire Accreditation International (CFAI) in 2018. The FCFRD is a premier all-hazards fire and rescue department providing basic and advanced life support (BLS and ALS) emergency medical services (EMS), fire suppression, technical rescue, hazardous materials response, water rescue, life safety education, fire prevention, and arson investigation services. Approximately 1,400 highly trained uniformed personnel work in 39 strategically placed fire and rescue stations. FCFRD field personnel work one of three 24-hour rotating shifts. The FCFRD staffs 38 ALS engines, 14 ALS trucks / towers, eight ALS rescue squads, five tankers, a hazardous materials unit, a hazardous materials support unit, and 42 emergency medical transport units. Several other types of apparatus, such as brush trucks, boats, and support vehicles supplement the needs of the FCFRD. Additionally, the FCFRD is home to VATF-1 / USA-1, part of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) response system, and one of two internationally deployable Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) Teams in the United States .

Duties include :

• Conducts patient assessment (e.g., evaluates the respiratory, cardiovascular, and central nervous systems)

Provides basic and advanced emergency medical care to stabilize the condition of the critically ill or injured prior to transport to a medical facility

Administers medication via intravenous, subcutaneous, intramuscular, intraosseous, or sublingual routes

Administers advanced emergency medical procedures (e.g., inserting airways, interpreting, and treating cardiac arrhythmias, performing defibrillation, electronic pacing)

Participates in multi-disciplinary cutting-edge training to prepare for tasks such as tactical emergency casualty care (TECC) and Field-Available Component Transfusion Response (FACT

Responds to emergency calls to protect life and property

Combats, extinguishes, and prevents fires

Participates in rescue extrication operations and provides emergency medical care to the sick and injured

Drives emergency apparatus, including, but not limited to transport units, engines, trucks, rescue squads, and tankers

Performs related work as required under direct supervision

Participate in Community Risk Reduction and Community Outreach activities

Work as part of a team and embody the department's Core Values

Note : Following the successful completion of the recruit school, incumbents will serve a 12-month probationary period. During their probationary period, they shall complete an ALS internship to become FCFRD-authorized ALS providers. The FCFRD also provides continuing education to personnel with paramedic certification during and following the probationary period. Following successful completion of ALS internship, paramedics are eligible for ALS incentive pay ($6,740) and additional ALS riding pay of $2-3 / hour depending on apparatus assigned.

If unsuccessful in completing the ALS internship, candidates will be moved to a firefighter position and their pay will be reduced by two steps.

Learn more about the Fire and Rescue Department by visiting our website, and by following us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and our YouTube channel.

Illustrative Duties

Fire Suppression

Connects hose to hydrant, and pulls and deploys pre-connected hose lines

Wearing self-contained breathing apparatus and protective clothing, enters burning buildings with hose lines

Operates a nozzle and places a stream of water on a fire

Mounts and operates master stream appliances from an aerial ladder or elevating platform

Ventilates burning buildings by opening windows / skylights or by opening holes in roofs / floors

Positions ventilation fans to safely inject fresh air and exhaust heat, smoke, and gases

Performs salvage operations (e.g., removes fire debris and water, locates hidden fires, and operates shut-off valves for gas, electricity, oil and water)

Operates chemical and hand extinguishers

Raises, lowers, and climbs ladders

Uses radio and computer-aided dispatch equipment

Drives motorized apparatus in emergency and non-emergency conditions

Operates fire pumps at proper pressures and flows

Searches for victims in burning, smoke-filled buildings or other hazardous environments

Removes persons from danger

Performs heavy rescue operations

Administers first aid to injured persons

Takes vital signs and stabilizes patient

Collects pertinent information for patient assessment, including the patient's medical history

Conducts assessment for treatment of a patient with trauma-induced injuries

Performs water rescues from land and boats

Assists in the search and recovery of drowned victims

Operates emergency lighting appliances

Operates self-contained breathing apparatus in hazardous environments and confined spaces

Identifies and protects flammable or hazardous materials at fire scene

Restores apparatus and equipment to service after use

Refills self-contained breathing cylinders

Maintains specialized fire equipment and protective gear

Studies area geography, street names and locations, target hazards, pre-plans, water supply, and other firefighting resources

Studies building construction to identify structural weaknesses and fire behavior

Instructs citizens in fire prevention and life safety techniques

Examines building plans for pre-fire planning purposes

Pre-plans for fires in residential areas to provide information regarding hydrant locations, exposures, types of occupancy, and areas of high life or monetary loss risk

Pre-plans for fires in industrial and commercial buildings to provide information regarding location of hydrants and standpipes, building layout, hazardous material storage, occupancy patterns, and structural information

Participates in the inspection of businesses and public places for fire and life safety hazards

Inspects wiring and heating systems, basements, and attics of residences, and recommends ways to eliminate fire hazards

Inspects storage of hazardous and flammable materials and refers unsafe practices to the Fire Prevention Division

Inspects heating, cooling, ventilating, and electrical systems in commercial buildings and refers unsafe practices to the Fire Prevention Division

Inspects exits at public assemblies to ensure they are clearly marked, operate properly, and are clear of obstructions

Prepares inspection reports

Recognizes and preserves evidence on the causes of fires

Performs public relations duties (e.g., teaching school children about fire safety)

Advanced Life Support

May serve as crew leader (Lead) on a Basic Life Support Unit (BLSU) or Advanced Life Support Unit (ALSU) in providing patient care

Provides advanced emergency medical care to stabilize the condition of the critically ill or injured prior to transport to a medical facility

Conducts patient assessment (e.g., evaluates the respiratory, cardiovascular, and central nervous systems)

Confers with the supervising physician or hospital via radio or telephone, providing the patient's medical history and condition

Performs differential diagnosis, initiates treatment, and determines subsequent treatment based on patient reactions, responses, and condition

Administers medication intravenously, subcutaneously, intramuscularly, endotracheally, interosseously, or sublingually

Administers advanced emergency medical procedures (e.g., creating airways, interpreting, and treating cardiac arrhythmias, performing defibrillation, electronic pacing,

cardioversion, and / or electro-

cartographic

monitoring)

Treats general medical emergencies (e.g., drug overdoses, seizures, diabetic reactions) and trauma-induced wounds

Performs cardiopulmonary resuscitation

Carries out emergency childbirth procedures

Notifies authorities of suspicion of child abuse

Sets priorities in a multiple casualty situation

Participates in multiple casualty and other types of drills within the station and battalion

Ensures that the ALSU is maintained ready to respond to emergency calls

Participates in the inventory of medications with another ALS or BLS provider

Keeps abreast of changes in techniques, procedures, equipment, and regulations

Operates the mobile display terminal (MDT) to mark the status of the unit, review premise history,

etc.

Completes the Electronic Patient Care Report (ePCR) utilizing the ePCR handheld device

Assists in the extrication of entrapped victims, using prescribed techniques

In Each Functional Area

Participates in firefighting, rescue, and EMS duties

Performs housekeeping tasks in fire stations and on the grounds of fire stations

Utilizing computers and other related equipment, maintains records as necessary and completes incident reports

Employment Standards

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS :

Any combination of education, experience, and training equivalent to the following :

(Click on the aforementioned link to learn how Fairfax County interprets equivalencies for "Any combination, experience, and training equivalent to")

High school graduation or possession of a GED issued by a state department of education.

LICENSES AND CERTIFICATES REQUIRED :

Certified as a Virginia Office of Emergency Medical Services EMT-P and / or a National Registry Paramedic at the time of application.

Following successful completion of Fire and Rescue recruit training :

Successful Completion of Incident Command System (ICS) 700.

NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS :

A Class "D" medical rating will not be considered.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS :

The employee must be able to :

Work with body, bend over at the waist, kneel, crawl, climb stairs & ladders

All duties are performed with or without reasonable accommodation.

SELECTION PROCESS :

Successfully pass the following evaluation steps :

Personal History Statement

Written exam

FCFRD Physical Abilities Test (PAT) Preparation

PAT exam

Polygraph evaluation

Medical examination

Psychological profile evaluation

Must complete fingerprints or background check with VA OEMS for eligibility to hold an EMS certification

The population of Fairfax County is very diverse where 39.8% of residents speak a language other than English at home (Spanish, Asian / Pacific Islander, Indo-European, and others) and we encourage candidates bilingual in English and a foreign language to apply to this opportunity.

Fairfax County Government prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, age, marital status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetics, political affiliation, or military status in the recruitment, selection, and hiring of its workforce.

Reasonable accommodations are available to persons with disabilities during application and / or interview processes per the Americans with Disabilities Act. TTY 703-222-7314. DHREmployment@fairfaxcounty.gov EEO / AA / TTY.