Firefighter Paramedic- Entry Level

The City of Riverside offers a competitive compensation package, retirement through CALPERS, and a generous benefit package. Firefighters may be eligible for a variety of additional compensation including specialty, bilingual, and education incentive pay.

The City of Riverside Fire Department is a progressive, all-risk department responsible for the protection of a diverse population of over 320,000 people, covering nearly 82 square miles. Under the direction of Fire Chief Steve McKinster, The City of Riverside Fire Department protects life, property, and the environment from 14 stations, responding to more than 45,000 calls for service. The department offers a variety of specialty programs, including Urban Search & Rescue, Hazardous Materials, and Arson Investigations.
  
Under the supervision of a Company Officer, Firefighters are responsible for performing a broad range of duties in the protection of life and property. Work involves suppressing, extinguishing, and preventing fires; rendering emergency medical care; and participating in training programs and fire prevention activities. Firefighters operate, inspect, and maintain firefighting apparatus, equipment, and facilities, and may be assigned to conduct fire inspections or related prevention activities. Employees in this classification are also required to participate in drills and evolutions with individual companies as well as multi-company operations. This position requires the consistent exercise of sound judgment, strict adherence to established policies and procedures, and the ability to maintain a state of operational readiness.

• Respond to fire alarms, rescue alarms, medical emergency, and other emergency calls to protect life and property endangered by fire; operate various communications equipment.
• Respond to requests for medical emergencies; provide immediate medical care to persons injured in automobile accidents, fires, industrial accidents, and victims of sudden serious illness such as heart attacks, drownings, and similar emergencies; observe and report vital signs; and administer medical treatment.
• Serve as a hose operator in firefighting situations; lay and connect hoses; hold nozzle and direct water streams in the control and extinguishing of fires in structures, brush, and grass; clean and test fire hoses; raise, lower, and climb aerial ladders; perform rescue work and remove persons from danger. 
• Ventilate structures using such techniques as opening windows and chopping holes through the roof; use forcible entry tools, bars, hooks, life lines, chemical extinguishers, and other auxiliary equipment; assist in overhaul and salvage operations; sweep water and remove debris.
• Perform preventive maintenance and daily inspections on fire apparatus; inspect fire apparatus after each operation to ensure proper and efficient operating condition; clean, wash, and service fire apparatus; test, wash, hang, and dry hoses; change hoses on fire apparatus; report worn, damaged, or lost parts and tools.
• Clean and maintain station quarters, grounds, and equipment; perform routine housekeeping chores such as sweeping, mopping, cooking, and washing; assist visitors at the station and conduct tours.
• Conduct fire prevention inspection and education programs; serve as a fire inspector, inspecting commercial and other properties for fire hazards and compliance with fire prevention codes and ordinances, and participating in or conducting investigations to determine fire causes.
• Participate in continuous training in fire prevention, inspection, and suppression through fire drills, training exercises, simulations, and on-the-job exercises to maintain occupational skills.
• Study technical material on Fire Department rules and regulations, fire hazards, and modern firefighting techniques, City layout, water systems, and related subjects. 
• Prepare reports on preventive maintenance and with respect to work operations.
• Work 24-hour shifts and overtime; may be recalled to duty in cases of emergency.
• Serve as a substitute fire engineer under special instructions and limited conditions on a relief or training basis; operate and maintain motorized firefighting equipment; operate and adjust pump controls and other mechanical equipment to maintain correct water pressure consistent with the type of fire; drive and operate the tiller position on a ladder truck; operate ladder mechanism on an aerial truck; place truck to best advantage to facilitate firefighting.

Minimum Qualifications: 
 
Successful completion of the Firefighter Candidate Testing Center (FCTC) and Candidate Physical Agility Test (CPAT).  Must be completed by time of application and taken within the last 12 months from date of application, with a passing score of 70% or above.

Education: Equivalent to the completion of the twelfth grade and successful completion of a State Fire Marshal approved Fire Academy.

Experience: None required.

Necessary Special Requirements:

Possession of a valid Class “C” California Motor Vehicle Operator’s License. 

Paramedic: Must possess a current California or National Registry Paramedic certificate.

Applicants must possess the following by time of appointment:

• ACLS/ALS or REMSA-approved equivalent: current and valid American Heart Association (AHA) Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) OR American Red Cross (ARC) Advanced Life Support (ALS) provider card. 

• PALS/ALS PEPP: current and valid American Heart Association (AHA) OR American Red Cross (ARC) Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) provider card OR proof of successful completion of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) Advanced Life Support (ALS) Pediatric Education for Prehospital Professionals (PEPP) course. 

• PHTLS/ITLS/TPATC: proof of successful completion of the National Association of EMTs (NAEMT) Prehospital Trauma Life Support (PHTLS) course OR the American College of Emergency Physicians’ (ACEP) International Trauma Life Support (ITLS) course OR Air and Surface Transport Nurse Association (ASTNA) Transport Professional Advanced Trauma Course (TPATC).