Job Announcement

One of the most Dynamic Counties in the Nation

The Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department (FRD) is accepting applications for full-time career firefighter/paramedics or equivalent who meet one or more of the following criteria: currently employed as a Firefighter/Paramedic, or employed as a Firefighter/Paramedic with at least 2 years of experience and separated in good standing within 5 years at time of application, or currently certified Fairfax County Volunteer Firefighter/Paramedic, or currently certified volunteer Firefighter/Paramedic with at least 5 years of experience for an abbreviated recruit school (up to 10 weeks in duration).

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 types of apparatus, such as brush trucks, boats, and support vehicles supplement the needs of the FRD. Additionally, the FRD is home to VATF-1, 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 recruit training, 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 ($6,329) and additional ALS riding pay of $2-3/hour depending on the 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.

To get to know us better, visit the Fire and Rescue Department's website, and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and our YouTube channel.

Required Knowledge Skills and Abilities

(The knowledge, skills and abilities listed in this specification are representative of the class but are not an all-inclusive list.)

In All Functional Areas

• Knowledge of laws, rules, regulations, departmental policies and procedures, standard operating procedures, manuals and safety bulletins covering the area to which assigned;
• Knowledge of the Personnel Regulations;
• Knowledge of streets and target hazards in an assigned area;
• Knowledge of the principles and practices of fire suppression;
• Knowledge of the Department's Exposure Control Plan;
• Knowledge of blood borne and airborne pathophysiology;
• Knowledge of equipment used to provide protection from bloodborne/airborne pathogens;
• Knowledge of the purpose and operating characteristics of various nozzles, hose connections, and master stream devices;
• Knowledge of the friction loss/carrying capacity characteristics of various fire hose sizes/types;
• Knowledge of the chemistry and physics of fire, fire hazards, fire causes, and fire suppression;
• Knowledge of fire behavior, especially involving the likelihood of extension;
• Knowledge of emergency medical procedures and department protocols, techniques, drugs, and equipment, and the ability to apply them appropriately;
• Knowledge of medical terminology;
• Knowledge of Advanced Life Support techniques;
• Knowledge of the anatomy and physiology of major systems of the body;
• Knowledge of the causes, signs, and symptoms of shock;
• Basic knowledge of mechanics and hydraulics;
• Basic knowledge of the chemical and physical properties of fire, smoke and heat;
• If assigned as Lead, ability to direct other providers (ALS and BLS) in patient care;
• Ability to accurately assess and monitor a patient's condition;
• Ability to use oxygen therapy equipment, airway management equipment, fracture immobilization devices, and various types of equipment and techniques used to move patients;
• Ability to effectively rescue injured persons from hazardous situations;
• Ability to use a computer-aided dispatch system, two-way radio, and mobile display terminal;
• Ability to understand and use a variety of modern firefighting and emergency medical techniques;
• Ability to understand and follow oral and written directions;
• Ability to apply judgment and deductive reasoning to information about fire situations or emergency medical calls, recognize the relevancy of each item of information, reach logical conclusions, and adopt an effective course of action using accepted techniques;
• Ability to use sound judgment in making independent decisions;
• Ability to define operational problems and devise appropriate solutions;
• Ability to remain composed in difficult or stressful situations requiring emergency action, and to make sound decisions promptly under emergency conditions;
• Ability to communicate clearly and accurately, both orally and in writing;
• Ability to organize ideas and present them effectively;
• Ability to read, understand and apply job-related, written material;
• Ability to learn streets, hydrant locations, location of target hazards, geography, and similar information concerning the response area to which assigned;
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others;
• Ability to accept constructive criticism;
• Sufficient hand-eye coordination and dexterity to operate and regulate Fire Department pumps and perform physical firefighting tasks which involve tying knots, raising and climbing ladders, and connecting and disconnecting hose couplings and other hose appliances;
• Ability to drive pumping apparatus and perform firefighting tasks that involve pulling, lifting and carrying;
• Ability to do strenuous firefighting work for occasional extended periods of time, and to change from a state of rest to a state of strenuous activity in a short period of time;
• Ability to effectively use the Electronic Patient Care Report (ePCR) handheld device.

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.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
The successful candidate(s) possesses one of the following:

• Currently employed as a Firefighter/Paramedic, or
• Formerly employed as a Firefighter/Paramedic with at least 2 years of full-time experience and separated in good standing within 5 years at time of application, or
• Currently certified Fairfax County volunteer Firefighter/Paramedic, or
• Currently certified Volunteer Firefighter/Paramedic with 5 years of experience

PLUS

The successful candidate(s) possesses all of the following certifications:

• Firefighter I & II NFPA Pro Board, VDFP, or IFSAC validated.
• Virginia Paramedic, or
• National Registry Paramedic
• Incident Command System (ICS) 100
• Incident Command System (ICS) 700
• Hazardous Materials First Responder-Operations

LICENSES AND CERTIFICATES REQUIRED:
Possession of a valid motor vehicle driver's license and Certified as a Virginia Office of Emergency Medical Services EMT-P at the time of application, and at all times during employment in the uniformed service. Following successful completion of Fire and Rescue recruit training:

• Certification as a Hazardous Materials First Responder in accordance with Fairfax County training standards;
• Certification in the Emergency Vehicle Operations Course (EVOC);
• Certification in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and automatic electronic defibrillation (AED);
• Certification as a full Advanced Life Support provider in Fairfax County and in full accordance with all current County training standards;
• Certification in Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS);
• Certification in International Trauma Life Support (ITLS);
• Certification in Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS);
• Certification in Basic Trauma Life Support;
• 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, accommodations will be considered on a case-by-case basis. A Class "D" medical rating will not be considered.
• All newly hired employees are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 (two weeks after the last required dose) as a condition of employment or obtain approval of a medical or religious exemption prior to their start date. Proof of an exemption or vaccination status will be required during the pre-employment onboarding process. New employees who obtain an exemption from the vaccine mandate for medical or sincerely held religious beliefs may be subject to a weekly testing requirement. Vaccinated employees and employees with a medical or religious exemption will complete the attestation online on their first day of employment or shortly thereafter.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Reach above shoulder,
• Work with body, bent over at waist, kneel, crawl, climb stairs & ladders,
• Work with arms extended, work with arms above shoulder level,
• Stand, sit, push and stoop
• Work in tight and/or within closed spaces.
• All duties may be performed with or without reasonable accommodations.

SELECTION PROCESS:
Successfully pass the following evaluation steps:

• Application review
• Personal history statement and documents review
• Written exam
• Candidate Physical Abilities Test (CPAT) Preparation
• Polygraph evaluation
• Medical examination
• Psychological profile evaluation
• Eligible for Virginia Emergency Services certification

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. EEO/AA/TTY.