FIRE FIGHTER / EMERGENCY MEDICAL TECHNICIAN

 FIRE FIGHTER

 DEFINITION:

 During an assigned tour of duty extinguishes fires; performs rescue
 operations; aids in emergency situations involving hazardous or toxic
 materials; administers emergency medical treatment; maintains all
 related equipment, buildings and grounds; does related work.

 NOTE: The examples of work for this title are for 
 illustrative purposes only.  A particular position using this title may 
 not perform all duties listed in this job specification.  
 Conversely, all duties performed on the job may not be listed.

 EXAMPLES OF WORK:

 Attends daily roll call and briefing.

 Extricates victims from entrapment.

 Performs rescue operations such as searching for victims, 
 identifying searched areas, and guiding or carrying victims.

 Aids victims at scene of emergency by administering emergency 
 medical treatment such as first aid, CPR or EMT treatment.

 May request advice from hospital physician or emergency department.

 Radios the dispatcher for additional help if needed.

 Reports to the dispatcher the nature and extent of injuries to ensure
 prompt medical care on arrival.

 Prepares victims for transportation in an ambulance.

 May be required to transport victims to hospital or other 
 emergency treatment facility.

 Loads and unloads equipment.

 Selects best route to scene of emergency.

 Drives and maneuvers fire apparatus for optimal firefighting position.

 Maintains radio communications with emergency personnel 
 and relays information to facilitate firefighting and rescue operations.

 Identifies fire source and type and anticipates fire behavior.

 Searches for indications of fire cause and protects this evidence 
 for later scrutiny.

 Interviews persons at scene of fire and writes down responses.

 Shuts off utilities at fire scene.

 Lays and connects hose to hydrants, standpipes, and intake 
 and discharge valves.

 Directs water stream at or as near as possible to source of 
 fire or other target to extinguish fire or to cool given target, 
 and to prevent ignition.

 Transports tools, equipment, and/or people by specialized 
 rope harnesses.

 Performs preparatory operations for the delivery of water to 
 discharge lines and determines required pump pressure to 
 provide appropriate pressure.

 Replaces and/or makes temporary repairs to damaged hoses 
 and other apparatus.

 Locates and exposes hidden structural fires.

 Raises, lowers, positions and stabilizes straight ladders, 
 aerial ladders or basket trucks.

 Operates master stream appliance or deluge gun.

 Operates portable generating equipment.

 Identifies and removes or provides special protection from 
 flammable or hazardous materials.

 Removes or reinforces weakened structural parts.

 Secures or covers openings created by fire or firefighters.

 Removes and pumps out flooded buildings and structures 
 to prevent potential health and safety hazards and further 
 structural damage.

 Covers or removes petroleum products on roadway to reduce 
 fire hazard and slippery road conditions.

 Tours site and notes locations of firefighting resources, corridors,
 exits, and hazardous materials.

 Makes periodic inspections and issues citations to ensures 
 compliance with safety regulations.

 Maintains records and files.

 Processes telephone and box alarms and determines nature 
 of emergency, alarm box nearest the scene, company 
 responsibilities, and records information.

 Monitors radio frequencies and relays relevant information.

 Maintains daily log of all house activities such as time and 
 nature of alarms, units responding, arrival and departure times, 
 names of visitors, time and nature of phone calls, and time and 
 nature of any unusual events.

 Inspects and inventories equipment such as first aid supplies, 
 foam supply, batteries, and hand tools and prepares replacement 
 or repair lists.

 Promotes community fire prevention activities such as conducting 
 and timing school fire drills, demonstrating apparatus at schools,
 parades, and other community events and serves as resource person.

 Explains firefighting activities and fire prevention practices.

 Maintains and makes minor repairs to firehouse and grounds 
 and performs typical household tasks.

 Maintains apparatus, tools, equipment, and protective gear in 
 proper working order and satisfactory condition.

 Maintains and performs minor repairs on fire vehicles.

 Checks all tools and equipment on fire apparatus at start of 
 shift and on return to quarters from emergency.

 Inspects and maintains air pack, hoses and other fire apparatus.

 Will be required to learn to utilize various types of electronic
 and/or manual recording and information systems used by 
 the agency, office, or related units.

REQUIREMENTS:

 EDUCATION:

 Graduation from high school, vocational high school, or 
 possession of an approved high school equivalency certificate.

 AGE:

 Not less than 18 or more than 35 years of age at the announced
 closing date for filing applications for the position.  In determining 
 maximum age eligibility of veterans, time spent in active military 
 service during periods specified in the Department of Personnel 
 laws and rules will be deducted from the attained age.  

 NOTE:  When applicants have reached their 35th 
 birthday, they are considered to be over 35 years old.  
 Age limits are based on the announced closing date for filing 
 Department of Personnel applications.

 NOTE:  In accordance with NJSA 40A:14-45, 
 following is an exception to the 35 year age limit.

 Applicants who are qualified firefighters having served in a 
 volunteer fire company or force of the municipality for at least 
 two (2) years preceding appointment may be not less than
 twenty-one (21) years of age, nor more than 40 years of age.

 CITIZENSHIP

 Must be a citizen of the United States.

 LICENSE:

 Appointees must complete a firefighting training program 
 approved by the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs, 
 Division of Fire Safety, within the time frame specified by the 
 Appointing Authority.  Appointees are not permitted to participate 
 in firefighting activities prior to completion of this training.

 For some jurisdictions, once appointed, employees may be required
 to successfully complete an approved Emergency Medical Technician
 Program and maintain certification while employed as a Fire Fighter.

 For some jurisdictions, once appointed, employees may be required
 to successfully complete CPR training and maintain a certification from 
 the American Red Cross or the American Heart Association while 
 employed as a Fire Fighter.

 Appointees will be required to possess a driver's license valid in 
 New Jersey only if the operation of a vehicle, rather than employee 
 mobility, is necessary to perform the essential duties of the position.

 MEDICAL EXAMINATION

 As a prerequisite for appointment, appointees may be required 
 to pass a thorough medical and psychiatric examination to be 
 administered by the appointing authority. Any psychological, 
 medical, or physical condition or defect which would prevent 
 efficient performance of the duties of the position, cause the 
 appointee to be a hazard to himself/herself or others, or 
 become aggravated as a result of performance of these 
 duties will be cause for rejection.

 KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES:

 Ability to use and maintain firefighting equipment and to learn 
 the theory necessary for effective firefighting and equipment 
 operation after a period of training.

 Ability to apply basic techniques of fighting fires after a period 
 of training.

 Ability to perform strenuous physical activities such as 
 lifting heavy firefighting equipment, climbing standard and 
 aerial ladders, lifting, and carrying people and equipment 
 for rescue and salvage.

 Ability to work under conditions of heavy physical exertion in 
 extreme heat and dust in high and confined areas and smoke 
 filled spaces, and in all kinds of weather and to maintain physical 
 activity for prolonged periods of time.

 Ability to understand and apply principles of emergency medical 
 and first aid treatment after a period of training.

 Ability to administer first aid, CPR and other emergency medical 
 care after a period of training.

 Ability to prioritize emergency medical treatment needs after 
 a period of training.

 Ability to understand and apply techniques used to administer
 pulmonary and cardiac resuscitation after a period of training.

 Ability to understand and apply techniques used to administer 
 oxygen after a period of training.

 Ability to apply appropriate emergency treatment depending 
 on the patient's condition after a period of training.

 Ability to think clearly and to apply knowledge under stressful 
 conditions and to handle more than one task at a time.

 Ability to remain calm in an emergency situation.

 Ability to establish rapport with the patient.

 Ability to understand and carry out instructions.

 Ability to record information in written form.

 Ability to function independently and without direct 
 supervision.

 Ability to work closely with people including functioning 
 as a team member and to exercise tact or diplomacy and 
 display compassion, understanding, and patience.

 Ability to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or 
 manual recording and information systems used by the 
 agency, office, or related units.
 
 Ability to read, write, speak, understand, or communicate 
 in English sufficiently to perform the duties of this position. 
 American Sign Language or Braille may also be considered 
 as acceptable forms of communication.

 Persons with mental or physical disabilities are eligible as long
 as they can perform essential functions of the job with or without
 reasonable accommodation.  If the accommodation cannot be 
 made because it would cause the employer undue hardship, 
 such persons may not be eligible.

 CODES:    LG - 01839     MER     11/02/07

 This job specification is for local government use only.

 EMERGENCY MEDICAL TECHNICIAN
  
 DEFINITION:

 Under direction, drives or rides an ambulance to a specific
 location to provide emergency medical treatment, provides
 treatment both at the scene and on the return trip to the
 hospital; does related duties.

 NOTE:  The definition and examples of work for this title 
 are for illustrative purposes only.  A particular position using this
 title may not perform all duties listed in this job specification. 
 Conversely, all duties performed on the job may not be listed.
 
 EXAMPLES OF WORK:
 
 Answers all calls for emergency medical treatment.

 Drives ambulance to required location, parks ambulance in 
 a safe location, and creates a safe traffic environment by 
 placement of road flares, removal of debris, and redirection 
 of traffic.

 Determines the nature and extent of injury and establishes
 priorities for emergency care.

 Administers emergency care such as opening and 
 maintaining an airway, giving positive pressure ventilation, 
 and cardio-resuscitation.

 Stops bleeding by bandaging or tourniquets, treats shock,
 immobilizes fractures, and provides initial care of poisoned
 and burn patients.

 Searches for medical identification emblem as a clue for
 providing emergency care.

 Extricates patients from entrapment.

 Radios the dispatcher for additional help if needed

 Prepares victims for transportation in an ambulance.

 Cares for patient on return trip to hospital.

 Reports to the dispatcher the nature and extent of injuries
 to ensure prompt medical care on arrival.

 May request advice from hospital physician or emergency
 department.

 May deliver newborn infants.

 On arrival, transfers patient to stretcher, carries or wheels
 into hospital, and provides nurse or doctor evaluation of the
 patient's condition.

 Prepares reports of trips made and enters information into
 a chronological log.

 May also act as dispatcher determining priorities in calls
 for ambulance and dispatching the ambulance.

 Will be required to learn to utilize various types of electronic
 and/or manual recording and information systems used by
 the agency, office, or related units.
 
 REQUIREMENTS:
  
 CERTIFICATION

 Applicants are required to possess a current and valid 
 Emergency  Medical Technician (EMT) Certification issued 
 by the New Jersey Department of Health.  

 NOTE:  Applicants who possess the higher level 
 certification as a Mobile Intensive Care Paramedic, or Mobile
 Intensive Care Registered Nurse Certification, issued by the
 New Jersey Department of Health, are considered to have 
 met the above certification requirement. 

 LICENSE:

 Appointees will be required to possess a driver's license 
 valid in New Jersey only if the operation of a vehicle, rather 
 than employee mobility, is necessary to perform the essential 
 duties of the position.
 
 KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES:
 
 Knowledge of principles of emergency medical and first aid
 treatment.

 Knowledge of the techniques used to administer pulmonary
 and cardiac resuscitation.

 Knowledge of the techniques used to administer oxygen.

 Knowledge of appropriate emergency treatment depending
 on the patient's condition.

 Ability to remain calm in an emergency situation.

 Ability to establish rapport with the patient.

 Ability to drive an ambulance with caution.

 Ability to work harmoniously with others.

 Ability to determine the nature and extent of injury and 
 provide emergency medical treatment.

 Ability to administer first aid, CPR and other emergency 
 medical care.

 Ability to prioritize emergency medical treatment needs.

 Ability to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or
 manual recording and information systems used by the
 agency, office, or related units.

 Ability to read, write, speak, understand, or communicate
 in English sufficiently to perform the duties of this position.
 American Sign Language or Braille may also be considered
 as acceptable forms of communication.

 Persons with mental or physical disabilities are eligible as 
 long as they can perform essential functions of the job with 
 or without reasonable accommodation.  If the accommodation 
 cannot be made because it would cause the employer undue 
 hardship, such persons may not be eligible.

 CODE:  01724   8/02/2016
 
 This job specification is for local government use only.

 DUAL TITLE CODE:  07909   

 This dual title job specification is for local government use only.