Firemedic - Lateral Entry

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 suppression, 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 Village and Department policies, standard operating procedures, rules, and regulations.
• 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.
• 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.
• Contributes to a positive work environment and works effectively as part of a team.
• Demonstrates initiative and independent judgement when responding to emergency scenes, including situations that may involve significant stress or hazardous conditions.
• Maintains required certifications and attends assigned training sessions and continuing education classes as required by the Department.
• Supports development efforts for special assignments such as emergency preparedness, hazardous communications, training programs, firefighting, hazardous materials, and emergency aid activities.
• Joins and maintains membership in the Kenosha County Specialized Response Teams – Hazardous Materials Team.
• Encourages and maintains culture of continuous improvement in the scope of new techniques, firefighting technologies, pre-hospital emergency medicine, and industry trends.
• Makes public presentations and positively interacts with the community at various social events and outreach gatherings.
• Performs each essential job task safely and effectively as defined in NFPA 1580: Chapter 10 – Essential Job Tasks - NFPA 1580 Document

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.

The described tools & equipment used, environmental conditions, language skill requirements, cognitive / psychosocial requirements, and physical demands 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.

Tools and Equipment Used

• Frequent operation of office equipment, including, but not limited to, computer, phone, copier, fax, and computer software programs.
• Frequent operation of motor vehicles, including any vehicles required for firefighting, ambulance, auxiliary vehicles, and boat.
• Frequent use of full turnout gear, self-contained breathing apparatus, and other personal protective equipment as needed.
• Frequent operation of fire apparatus, fire pumps, hoses, nozzles, ladders, axes, fire extinguishers, pry bars, electric and gas-powered fans, ropes, gas operated and hand saws, first aid equipment, portable radios, lights, and other equipment necessary to perform the job tasks.

Environmental Conditions

• 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

• Requires frequent public interaction and the ability to communicate information and ideas so others will understand.
• 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.

Cognitive / Psychosocial Requirements

• 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.
• Recall, process, and apply detailed and complex emergency response protocols and instructions.
• 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.
• 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.

Physical Demands

• Ability to performs each essential job task safely and effectively as defined in NFPA 1580: Chapter 10 – Essential Job Tasks - NFPA 1580 Document
• 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 165 pounds.

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 with an acceptable driving record.
• Valid State of Wisconsin or National Registry – Paramedic Certification. This includes supporting certifications in CPR, ACLS, and PALS.
• State of Wisconsin Certified Firefighter I or equivalent.
• Completed Candidate Physical Ability Test Certification (CPAT) within the past 3 years or prior to PFC interview.

Required Qualifications & Trainings Post-Hire

Per the required Post-Hire Training Course Policy, timeframe and scheduling is dependent on class availability and review by the Chief:

• State of Wisconsin Certified Firefighter II
• Wisconsin Fire Driver Operator – Pumper
• Pleasant Prairie Fire & Rescue Motor Pump Operator in-house curriculum
• Wisconsin Fire Driver Operator – Aerial
• Hazardous Materials Technician
• Rope Operations
• Confined Space Operations
• Trench Operations
• Structural Collapse Operations

LATERAL QUALIFICATIONS:
The Village accepts lateral transfers from qualified government recognized fire service agencies. “Qualified fire service agencies” refers to municipal, county, state, or federal fire agencies. Paid on-call, volunteer or similar experience does not fulfill the requirement for fire service experience as a lateral applicant. Qualified candidates shall be certified, licensed, or otherwise approved by the State of Wisconsin to practice EMS at the appropriate level for the position applied for at the date of hire. Out-of-state candidates shall have successfully completed the necessary reciprocity process as administered by the State of Wisconsin and considered certifiable to those standards.

LATERAL TRANSFERS
Years of Service Credit: Members hired under the lateral transfer agreement shall be credited for their years of previous full- time fire service up to a maximum of three (3) years. Years of service credit shall be awarded in one (1) year increments with no credit for partial years served.

Salary & Vacation Credit: Lateral transfer members shall receive hourly wage and vacation awards based on years of credited service.

Sick Time Credit: Lateral transfer members shall receive fifty-six (56) hours of sick time accrual upon date of hire and continue to accrue sick time in accordance with the current collective bargaining agreement.

Seniority: Members hired under the Lateral Transfer classification shall be given seniority as prescribed in Article VI of the Collective Bargaining Agreement. Qualified years of service shall not be considered for purposes of seniority.

Hiring Process: All lateral transfer candidates must successfully complete all steps and conditions of the Department’s hiring process and onboarding and training program. Successful lateral candidate’s seniority rights, including promotions, shift and vacation and longevity pay, are determined by their length of service with the Village of Pleasant Prairie Fire & Rescue Department.

The Village of Pleasant Prairie is an Equal Opportunity Employer.