On-Call Firefighter Emergency Medical Responder

Position Summary:

Provide on-call fire and emergency services and respond to emergency dispatch calls for combating and extinguishing fire. While standing watch in quarters, perform housekeeping/yard work, equipment and truck maintenance duties and daily check list, dispatch duties, respond to alarms and other tasks assisting in the operation of the department, as directed by the Lieutenant, Captain, Deputy Chief, Assistant Chief or Fire Chief. Residency in the Town of Oxford preferred. This is a casual, intermittent, part-time non-benefit position subject to appointment by the Town Manager.

Essential Functions:

In providing Emergency Medical Responder Services, drives emergency vehicles, interviews patients, lifts, balances and carries patients and performs other established life saving measures as part of pre-hospital care.

In combating and extinguishing fire, spreads salvage covers, removes excess water and debris. Secures building against rekindle. As well as non-emergency type service calls and wildland fires.

Performs rescue and extrication of persons from confined spaces such as elevators, machinery, and motor vehicles, operating hydraulic rescue tools, chainsaws, ropes. Pulls drowning victims from water or ice-covered water, rescues persons from heights such as poles and trees and other rescue operations as required.  Applies first aid and life saving measures as indicated.

While standing watch performs maintenance duties including cleaning and washing the ambulance vehicles and the equipment on the ambulances, as well as replenishing supplies.  At the beginning of each shift perform a daily check list on ambulance vehicles to make sure that all the necessary supplies are on board and all the equipment is properly working and ready to be used; clean and wash apparatus and equipment, hanging and testing hose. While on watch dispatching receives and transmits alarms and pertinent instruction and information; answers telephone, receives station visitors and supervises their visits, and performs record keeping.  Perform necessary housekeeping and yard work on a daily basis.

Attends Department drills and training classes in firefighting and emergency medical services.  Participates in fire prevention programs.

 SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED:

Under the direct supervision of the company Lieutenant or Captain, supervision follows a clearly established chain of command through the Deputy Fire Chief to the Chief of Department. Decisions involve choice of action within limits defined by standard practice, departmental rules, and professional standards but in emergency situations requires judgment in evaluation of course of action to apply.

 KNOWLEDGE, ABILITY AND SKILL:

Knowledge of firefighting and emergency medical responder techniques.  Ability to work well in a team environment, ability to communicate effectively, skill in the operation of fire and emergency equipment and tools. Must be able to quickly respond to a given situation and remain calm in crisis situations.

 EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

• Graduation from High School and equivalent.
• Certified Emergency Medical Responder.
• Current AED Certification.
• Valid Massachusetts Class D driver’s License.
• Fire Fighter I & II certification required within 2 years of appointment as a regular firefighter.
  

 JOB ENVIRONMENT:

Work is performed in office, vehicles and frequent strenuous physical outdoor activities in awkward and adverse weather conditions  or other stressful and dangerous conditions including heights, cramped surroundings, temperature extremes; heavy lifting, manual labor plus intermittent office and maintenance shop environment;  incumbent is exposed to hearing alarms and hazards associated with fighting fires and rendering emergency medical assistance, including smoke, noxious odors, fumes, chemicals, solvents and oils.  The noise level is usually moderate in office settings and can be very loud at emergency scenes.

Future working schedule could change to best fit the requirements for our ambulance license.

TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT USED:

Uses medical equipment and supplies such as syringes, tubes, wears protective gloves and face mask where indicated, carries emergency medical equipment into residence, etc.

Drives fire trucks, emergency vehicles including ambulance, operates fire apparatus including pump trucks, pumps, hose trucks, hose, hydrants, hose nozzle, fire extinguisher, uses hand and forcible entry tools such as saw, hammer, ax, pry bar, shovels, rakes, etc., may use ropes and ladders, wears protective clothes including helmet, coat, pants, boots and gloves, or specialized equipment such as S.C.B.A., cold water suit; may use special rescue instruments such as rescue sled. 

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

Must pass Massachusetts medical and physical fitness test standards as condition of employment.  Exam will be performed at time of hire and periodically thereafter.

Employee must be able to drive, operate and use all equipment and tools as listed above.  Must be physically able to climb, lift, balance, carry more than 150 pounds, push, pull, stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl, reach, handle, feel, smell, talk, hear.

The description above represents the most significant duties of the position but does not exclude other occasional work assignments not mentioned.