Become A Firefighter/Paramedic

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Working As A Firefighter/Paramedic

Assisting and Caring for Others
Documenting/Recording Information
Performing for or Working Directly with the Public
Making Decisions and Solving Problems
Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material

Deal with People
Unpleasant/Angry People
Outdoors/walking/standing
Unpleasant/Hazardous Environment
Stressful
Make Decisions
$31,980
Average Salary

What Does A Firefighter/Paramedic Do At City of Cathedral City

* Responds to calls for medical aid, including traffic collisions and rescue situations; provides pre-hospital care, including examining patients and monitoring vital signs; establishes I
* V. lines, administers medications, inserts airways, defibrillates hearts and takes other basic and advanced first aid and life support actions;
* Communicates with hospital and/or health care professions in person or by radio;
* Completes required reports, restocks supplies and cleans ambulance,
* In a fire emergency, connects supply lines, controls and extinguishes fires using various size hand-lines; ladders and portable water monitors, connects foam educators and applies foam and chemicals for fire suppression and control;
* Searches buildings and rescues victims from buildings and motor vehicles, sometimes using specialized power and hand tools to obtain entry to buildings, free trapped accident victims, and provides ventilation.
* Participates in specialized rescue operations, including aerial and underground situations, including the use of rigging and shoring; participates in clean-up, salvage and overhaul operations,
* Maintains physical fitness to the required level of job performance
* Cleans, services and ensures operational readiness of vehicles, apparatus, hoses and equipment; maintains physical fitness to the required level of job performance,
* Participates in various staff support assignments including but not limited to: fire prevention, inspection, maintenance of inventory records, scheduled inspection of departmental equipment, station and apparatus maintenance, fire inspections and investigations;
* Contains, removes, and decontaminates hazardous material spills; employs appropriate fire fighting and chemical safety apparel and equipment, including turnout gear, helmets, hoods, and self-contained breathing apparatus; assists with the maintenance of station and facilities;
* Works with the community in a variety of educational, public relations and service programs;
* May serve in higher level classifications on a relief basis if certified and/or licensed to do so; may give training classes in CPR and medical support to the public and fire staff; may direct the work of others, particularly in a medical emergency.
* Qualifications

What Does A Firefighter/Paramedic Do At National Testing Network

* The South Pasadena Fire Department is a small, single station fire department providing Fire and EMS service to the City of South Pasadena, Florida, and surrounding areas.
* South Pasadena is about 0
* square miles, and contains one hospital, three nursing homes, and several high rise residential buildings.
* The population of the city is approximately 5,200 and the average age is just over 70 years.
* South Pasadena is bordered on the north by St.
* Petersburg, to the east by Gulfport, to the south by St.
* Pete Beach, and to the west by Treasure Island.
* The fire department consists of 15 line personnel: 12 firefighters, who are also EMTs or paramedics, and 3 Lieutenants, all presently certified paramedics; and three administrative staff: the Fire Chief, Deputy Chief of Operations and an Administrative Secretary.
* Normal schedule for line personnel is 24 hours on duty followed by 48 hours off duty, but subject to mandatory recall to duty for minimum staffing needs in 12 hour increments.
* Being a small department, all personnel must be capable of performing most firefighting functions, including apparatus operator.
* Our shift personnel rotate assignments on a regular basis to maintain skills in all areas.
* Cross-training and multi-function capabilities are essential in our personnel.
* In fiscal 2013, the department responded to 2684 emergency service calls, approximately 75% of them for EMS.
* Our general trend over the last two years has been a stable number of calls around 2700.
* Located in Pinellas County, the South Pasadena Fire Department, like all Fire Departments in the County, is dispatched from one central location for both fire and EMS, and has automatic aid agreements with all other fire agencies in Pinellas County.
* With a standard set of basic SOGs known as the Pinellas County 600 Series, all the fire agencies work together in a functionally consolidated fashion.
* We regularly train with four closely adjacent and similarly sized fire departments since we routinely respond to fires with them

What Does A Firefighter/Paramedic Do At Confidential

Respond to fires and emergency medical calls. ? Determine the nature and extent of the emergency and provide for response and deployment of adequate resources to properly handle the emergency. ? Drive and operate fire pamper, or other specialized department vehicle. ? Operate and maintain various power tools such as, saws, ventilation fans, extrication devices and others. ? Lay hose lines, adjust water and pressure streams, place and climb ladders, ventilate buildings, rescue persons, places salvage covers and perform clean-up operations. ? Prepare and maintain records and reports regarding fire alarms, emergency medical calls, fire prevention inspection, and public education activities and supplies. ? Provide assistance and administer appropriate basic, or advanced, levels of first aid treatment to ill or injured persons according to accepted medical protocols and

What Does A Firefighter/Paramedic Do At Vinnell Arabia

* Performs aircraft rescue and firefighting duties at airfields, which handle primarily military and commercial rotary wing aircraft and are characterized by large volumes of fuel, highly flammable cargo and/or ammunition, and passengers.
* Controls and extinguishes aircraft fires and performs overhaul and salvage operations.
* Performs hose, vehicle relay, pump and possible ladder operations.
* Effects entry into the aircraft by normal and emergency means.
* Operates or deactivates specialized mechanisms and systems such as hatch release mechanisms, oxygen supply systems, engines, and ejection systems.
* Enters wrecked or burning aircraft or structures to rescue personnel or passengers and administer emergency first aid/cardiopulmonary resuscitation.
* Is in standby duty status during aircraft fueling and defueling, engine maintenance and testing, welding and burning on fueled aircraft, and explosive/ammunition handling.
* Maintains awareness of the changes that are made to aircraft using the airfields (military and commercial) as these changes affect the difficulty of rescue and firefighting.
* Controls and extinguishes airfield structural fires.
* Shuts off building utilities, evacuates personnel from buildings, protects personnel and equipment from fire exposures, and operates tools/equipment.
* Performs airfield patrol, surveillance operations and fuel spill containment.
* Performs inspections and operator maintenance on firefighting vehicles, tools, equipment, specialized protective clothing, and fire hydrants.
* Inspects, maintains, services, repairs, and tests portable fire extinguisher systems and parts.
* Responds to medical emergencies and administers basic life support.
* Responds to hazardous materials incidents and performs containment operations to the level certified.
* Participates in practice drills and training for the crew.
* Conducts crew fire protection inspection functions.
* Assigns crew members to station maintenance work, such as cleaning equipment.
* In the absence of the Crew Chief, takes charge of all firefighting and rescue activities at the scene of a fire or accident.
* Conducts internal training and participates in customer training events under the direction of the Aviation Safety Manager and the Flight Operations Manager.
* B. Independence:
* Works under the supervision of the Aircraft Fire and Rescue Crew Chief.
* C. Supervisory Responsibilities:
* None

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How To Become A Firefighter/Paramedic

Emergency medical technicians (EMTs) and paramedics must complete a postsecondary educational program. All states require EMTs and paramedics to be licensed; requirements vary by state.

Education

Both a high school diploma or equivalent and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) certification typically are required for entry into postsecondary educational programs in emergency medical technology. Most of these programs are nondegree award programs that can be completed in less than 1 year; others last up to 2 years. Paramedics, however, may need an associate’s degree. Programs in emergency medical technology are offered by technical institutes, community colleges, and facilities that specialize in emergency care training.

The Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs offers a list of accredited programs for EMTs and paramedics, by state.

Programs at the EMT level include instruction in assessing patients’ conditions, dealing with trauma and cardiac emergencies, clearing obstructed airways, using field equipment, and handling emergencies. Formal courses include about 150 hours of specialized instruction, and some instruction may take place in a hospital or ambulance setting.

Programs at the Advanced EMT level typically require about 400 hours of instruction. At this level, candidates learn EMT-level skills as well as more advanced ones, such as using complex airway devices, intravenous fluids, and some medications.

Paramedics have the most advanced level of education. They must complete EMT and Advanced EMT levels of instruction, along with courses in advanced medical skills. Community colleges and technical schools may offer these programs, which require about 1,200 hours of instruction and may lead to an associate’s degree. Paramedics’ broader scope of practice may include stitching wounds or administering intravenous medications.

High school students interested in becoming EMTs or paramedics should take courses in anatomy and physiology.

Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations

The National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT) certifies EMTs and paramedics. All levels of NREMT certification require completing a certified education program and passing the national exam. The national exam has both written and practical parts.

All states require EMTs and paramedics to be licensed; requirements vary by state. In most states, an individual who has NREMT certification qualifies for licensure; in others, passing an equivalent state exam is required. Usually, an applicant must be over the age of 18. Many states require background checks and may not give a license to an applicant who has a criminal history.

Although some emergency medical services hire separate drivers, most EMTs and paramedics take a course requiring about 8 hours of instruction before they can drive an ambulance.

Important Qualities

Compassion. EMTs and paramedics must be able to provide emotional support to patients in an emergency, especially patients who are in life-threatening situations or extreme mental distress.

Interpersonal skills. EMTs and paramedics usually work on teams and must be able to coordinate their activities closely with others in stressful situations.

Listening skills. EMTs and paramedics need to listen to patients to determine the extent of their injuries or illnesses.

Physical strength. EMTs and paramedics need to be physically fit. Their job requires a lot of bending, lifting, and kneeling.

Problem-solving skills. EMTs and paramedics must evaluate patients’ symptoms and administer appropriate treatments.

Speaking skills. EMTs and paramedics need to clearly explain procedures to patients, give orders, and relay information to others.

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Firefighter/Paramedic jobs

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Firefighter/Paramedic Career Paths

Firefighter/Paramedic

Registered Nurse Staff Nurse Nurse Manager

Emergency Services Director

8 Yearsyrs

Medical Assistant Medic Combat Medic

Medical Supervisor

5 Yearsyrs

Registered Nurse Nurse

Nurse Educator

10 Yearsyrs

Average Length of Employment

Fire Captain 9.8 years
Firefighter/Paramedic 8.0 years
Paramedic 6.1 years
Firefighter/Medic 5.9 years
Fire Department Lieutenant 4.5 years
Fire Fighter 4.2 years
Flight Paramedic 4.2 years

Top Careers Before Firefighter/Paramedic

Top Careers After Firefighter/Paramedic

Firefighter/Paramedic Demographics

Gender

Male
82.9%
Female
15.8%
Unknown
1.3%

Ethnicity

White
83.3%
Hispanic or Latino
9.0%
Asian
5.6%
Unknown
1.6%
Black or African American
0.4%

Languages Spoken

Spanish
63.4%
Portuguese
7.3%
German
7.3%
Dutch
4.9%
French
4.9%
Japanese
2.4%
Persian
2.4%
Thai
2.4%
Navajo
2.4%
Italian
2.4%

Firefighter/Paramedic

Unfortunately we don’t have enough data for this section.

Firefighter/Paramedic Education

Schools

Columbia Southern University
16.5%
Eastern Kentucky University
6.9%
Excelsior College
6.9%
University of Phoenix
6.9%
College of DuPage
5.8%
Grand Canyon University
5.8%
Palm Beach State College
5.0%
Sinclair Community College
5.0%
Kaplan University
5.0%
The Academy
4.2%
Pima Community College
4.2%
Valencia College
3.8%
Liberty University
3.5%
Saint Petersburg College
3.5%
University of Cincinnati
3.1%
Clark State Community College
3.1%
University of Central Florida
2.7%
Indian River State College
2.7%
Utah Valley University
2.7%
Palomar College
2.7%

Majors

Medical Technician 23.8%
Fire Science And Protection 20.5%
Nursing 10.3%
Business 10.3%
Criminal Justice 4.4%
Management 4.2%
Homeland Security 4.1%
Public Administration 2.8%
General Studies 2.5%
Health Care Administration 2.5%
Education 2.1%
Occupational Safety And Health 1.9%
Medicine 1.8%
Biology 1.8%
Health Sciences And Services 1.5%
Psychology 1.4%
Military Applied Sciences 1.3%
Physician Assistant 1.1%
Health/Medical Preparatory Programs 0.9%
Communication 0.9%

Degrees

Other
33.9%
Associate
21.6%
Bachelors
21.4%
Masters
11.1%
Certificate
9.1%
Doctorate
1.4%
Diploma
0.8%
License
0.6%

Firefighter/Paramedic

Unfortunately we don’t have enough data for this section.

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Top Skills for A Firefighter/Paramedic

Top Firefighter/Paramedic Skills

Medical Emergencies
Fire/Ems
Fire Suppression

You can check out examples of real life uses of top skills on resumes here:

Respond to Medical Emergencies to treat and transport ill or injured patient(s) to definitive care.
Trained Fire/EMS Department personnel in Basic/Advanced Life Support functions as well as fire suppression and prevention training.
Provide advanced life support, fire suppression and rescue operations.
Assist with building inspections for evidence of fire hazards and to ensure compliance with fire safety codes.
Deliver basic and advanced life support care during medical emergencies on scene and en route to hospital.