Village of University Park
Fire Department
Class Specification

Firefighter/Paramedic

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF WORK
Under general supervision performs duties in the containment, suppression, and extinguishment of fires; rescue of persons trapped either by fire or other emergency situation; administers medical care to the appropriate level; responds to, and takes appropriate actions for hazardous materials, confined space, trench rescue, and other emergencies according to their level of training; participates in the provision of public education and fire prevention programs, receives ongoing training to advance fire fighting and emergency medical skills; provides instruction to peers and subordinates; performs fire and code enforcement inspections. In the absence of a superior officer according to the posted chain of command, directs, supervises and performs the duties necessary at emergency situations.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED
Works under the general supervision of the Fire Chief and other officers as listed on the current posted Chain of Command.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED
Exercises supervision over subordinate firefighter/paramedics and paid-on-call personnel as listed on the latest revised-posted chain of command.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
1. Performs inspections, public education & prevention, fire suppression, hazardous materials, rescue, and emergency medical responses during shift.
2. Participates in training and maintenance programs during shift.
3. Performs individual, group, or shift tasks as assigned by the shift Lieutenant.
4. Assists in the preparation and performs duties related to the training of the department’s paid-on-call personnel.
5. As directed, purchases materials, supplies, services, and equipment.

ILLUSTRATIVE EXAMPLES OF WORK
1. Conducts inspections in a variety of functions including fire prevention, property maintenance, new construction, alarm systems, and other inspections as assigned. Issues warning notices and other written notices as needed. May be requested to issue citations.
2. Performs duties in the containment and extinguishing of fires; responds to fire alarms, rescues trapped individuals, uses forcible entry as the situation warrants; lays, drags and positions hoses and directs water streams, hoists and climbs ladders, ventilates buildings, and otherwise participates in fire containment, control, and extinguishment as directed; participates in salvage and overhaul operations, assists in cleaning and returning equipment and vehicles to service upon return to the fire station.
3. Recognizes the signs of a potential arson fire and reports these findings to the shift Lieutenant.
4. Performs in the provision of emergency basic and advanced life support services; responds to calls for assistance; establishes contact with hospitals; examines the scene for potential hazards and mechanisms of injury; performs primary survey and treats life threatening situations by establishing and maintaining and airway, administering CPR, and/or controlling hemorrhage; performs secondary survey to include the taking of vital signs and the head-to-toe examination of the patients; treats injuries and relays pertinent information to the hospital via radio communication, administers drugs and other treatment as authorized and directed; transports the patients to the hospital.
5. Performs emergency rescue services such as extricating persons from automobile following accidents, unearthing persons trapped by cave-ins, removing persons from roofs, trees, or buildings and similar activities.
6. Participates in fire drills, attends classes in firefighting, emergency .medical, hazardous materials, rescue, and related subjects. Instructs classes in assigned subject areas.
7. Participates in the inspection of buildings, hydrants, and other structures in fire prevention programs.
8. Performs general maintenance work in the up-keep of fire facilities and equipment; cleans and washes walls and floors; cares for grounds around the stations; makes minor repairs; washes and dries hose; washes, cleans, polishes, maintains and tests apparatus and equipment.
9. Assists in developing plans for special assignments such as emergency preparedness, hazard communication, training programs, firefighting, hazardous materials, rescue, and emergency medical aid activities.
10. Assists in Inspectional Services including point of sale, property maintenance, rental unit and complaint generated inspections.
11. Presents programs to the community on safety, medical, and fire prevention topics.
12. Performs other duties not listed as assigned by superior officers.

EDUCATION and EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS
1. Requires a high school diploma or a general education degree (GED).
2. Office of the Illinois State Fire Marshall certifications
A. Firefighter II
B. Fire Apparatus Engineer *
C. Instructor I *
D. Hazardous Materials First Responder **
E. Confined Space/Trench Rescue Awareness **
F. Hazardous Materials Technician A ***

* Within one year of appointment
** Within 18 months of appointment
*** Within two years of appointment

3. Licensed as a paramedic through the Illinois Department of Public Health with the ability to work in the South Cook County Emergency Medical System.

NECESSARY KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES
(A) Considerable knowledge of modern fire prevention, suppression, hazardous materials, and emergency medical principles, procedures, techniques, and equipment; of building, electrical, mechanical and fire codes; of inspection techniques.
(B) Skill in the operation of the tools and equipment listed below;
(C) Ability to apply standard firefighting, emergency medical aid, hazardous materials, emergency rescue, and fire prevention techniques; to perform strenuous or peak physical effort during emergencies, training, or station maintenance activities for prolonged periods of time under conditions of extreme heights, intense heat, cold or smoke; to act effectively in emergency and stressful situations; to follow verbal and written instructions; to communicate effectively orally and in writing; to establish effective working relationships with employees, other agencies, and the general public; to meet special requirements.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS
(A) Must be 21 years of age or older.
(B) Must possess, or be able to obtain by time of hire, a valid State of Illinois non-CDL Class B driver’s license without record of suspension or revocation in any State.
(C) No felony convictions or disqualifying criminal histories within the past seven years.
(D) Must be able to read and write the English language.
(E) Must comply with Village residency requirements at the time of appointment.

TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT USED
Emergency medical ambulance, fire apparatus, fire pumps, hoses, and other standard firefighting equipment including hand tools, ladders, medical equipment, radio, pager, personal computer, and phone.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle, or operate objects, tools, or controls; and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to sit; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; talk or hear; and taste or smell.

The employee must routinely lift and/or move up to 100 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 200 plus pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee regularly works in outside weather conditions. The employee occasionally works near moving mechanical parts and in high, precarious places and is occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions, fumes or airborne particles, extreme heat, toxic or caustic chemicals, risk of electrical shock and vibration.

The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet in office settings and loud at an emergency scene.

SELECTION GUIDELINES
See the Fire and Police Commission Rules and Regulations as adopted by Village Ordinance.

DISCLAIMER
The 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 is a logical assignment to the position.

The job description does not constitute an employee agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change.

Approval: ________________________ Approval: ___________________________
Supervisor Appointing Authority

Effective Date: __________________

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