Firefighter/medic (firefighter/paramedic) at Fairfax County Government

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

• Confers with the supervising physician or hospital via radio or telephone, providing the patient's medical history and condition .
• 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*R)
• 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.

* Effective 7/1/2023, this position includes a signing bonus for fully qualified new county employees in the amount of $10,000.

Illustrative Duties

Fire Suppression

• Responds to fire alarms and a variety of emergency calls
• 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

• Serves as the ALS provider on an Engine, Advanced Life Support Unit (ALSU), Paramedic Training Unit (PTU) or other apparatus as assigned
• 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

• Attends training sessions, participates in drills, and participates in the physical fitness program
• 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:

• Possession of a valid motor vehicle driver's license at the time of application, and at all times during employment in the uniformed service.
• 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:

• Certification in Hazardous Materials Operations-Mission specific in accordance with Fairfax County training standards;
• Certification in the Emergency Vehicle Operations Course (EVOC) in accordance with Fairfax County training standards;
• Certification in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) Basic Life Support Provider;
• Certification as a full Advanced Life Support provider in Fairfax County and in full accordance with all current County training standards;
• Successful Completion of Incident Command System (ICS) 100;
• Successful Completion of Incident Command System (ICS) 700.

NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Regardless of area of assignment, all uniformed fire and rescue personnel that are medically qualified for field duties as a firefighter must maintain a level of fitness sufficient to enable them to participate in fire suppression and rescue activities when the need arises, as demonstrated by successful completion of the Fitness Measurement and Assessment Program (unless granted light duty due to illness or injury);
• Must successfully complete a criminal background investigation, a polygraph examination, and a physical ability test prior to appointment;
• Must be 18 years old at the time of application;
• Must be tobacco-free and nicotine-free at the time of appointment, and be willing to sign a Conditions of Employment Agreement to not use tobacco or tobacco products on- or off-duty;
• Personnel must maintain a Class "A" medical rating in the assigned medical group prior to starting work;
• For Class "B" and "C" medical ratings, an accommodation will be considered on a case-by-case basis;
• A Class "D" medical rating will not be considered.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
The employee must be able to:

• Reach above shoulder;
• Work with body, bend over at the waist, kneel, crawl, climb stairs & ladders
• Work with arms extended, work with arms above shoulder level, stand, sit, push, and stoop;
• All duties are performed with or without reasonable accommodation.

SELECTION PROCESS:
Successfully pass the following evaluation steps:

• Application review
• 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. Contact 703-324-4900 for assistance. TTY 703-222-7314. DHREmployment@fairfaxcounty.gov EEO/AA/TTY.