Duties

***THIS IS NOT A VIRTUAL POSITION, YOU MUST LIVE WITHIN OR BE WILLING TO RELOCATE WITHIN A COMMUTABLE DISTANCE OF THE DUTY LOCATION***

Major Duties:

The Firefighter receives immediate supervision from the Lead Firefighter. Completes all assigned duties, whether under normal or emergency conditions. This includes the duties of Driver/Operator who also functions as Hazardous Materials Operations and EMT.

As a crew member, he/she is assigned to various positions on either the pumper or rescue/hazmat truck. As assigned, the Firefighter shall complete the daily vehicle and equipment check of all VA fire service emergency response vehicles. The Firefighter attends and conducts training for personnel as directed by the Fire Chief in all phases of firefighting and protection within the structural series, and takes charge of all firefighting activities at the scene of a fire in the absence of the senior fire officer. During emergency situations, must be able to execute all firefighting and/or rescue operations without hesitation.

The Firefighter responds to all Medical Center emergencies, performs firefighting duties such as determining the nature and extent of the fire and the appropriate action required, laying and disconnecting hoses, directing fire streams, operating firefighting equipment, ensuring ventilation of burning buildings, performing evacuations and rescues, administering appropriate emergency treatments, etc.

The Firefighter performs noninvasive medical procedures. In performing these Basic Life Support (BLS) procedures, the Firefighter will:

• Perform initial and on-going focused patient assessment and physical examination.
• Determine priority of patient care based on assessment findings.
• Take, record, and monitor patient's baseline vital signs, including temperature, blood pressure, and pulse.
• Manage respiratory and cardiac emergencies, to include performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), bag-valve-mask resuscitation, and automatic external defibrillation (AED).
• Control external bleeding with direct pressure and treat shock with pneumatic anti-shock garments.
• Splint and immobilize fractures and dislocations for transport.
• Attempt to ascertain whether the patient has preexisting medical problems and obtain a comprehensive drug history from the patient that includes the names, strength, and dosage of drugs taken by the patient.
• Assist patients in taking emergency medications for certain complaints, e.g., Nitroglycerin tablets for chest pain, Epinephrine auto-injections for allergic reactions, or Albuterol inhalers for asthma patients, under the direction of standing orders or of a physician.
• Establish communication with the receiving facility and provide all patient information, including estimated time of arrival.
• Employ a variety of established emergency medical techniques, methods, and equipment to stabilize the patient for transport, as soon as possible, to the receiving facility.

Performs other related duties as assigned.

DESIGNATED DRUG-TESTING POSITION: Applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA. Applicants will not be appointed to the position if a verified positive drug test result is received.

Work Schedule: Rotating shift work - 72 hours per week. The Fire Department operates 24 hours per day, 7 days per week in which employees are assigned to alternating shifts of 24 hours.
Recruitment & Relocation Incentives: Not authorized
Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Approved
Financial Disclosure Report: Not Required