Job Announcement:

City of West Haven Fire Department - Allingtown

20 Admiral Street
West Haven, CT

FIREFIGHTER / EMT-PARAMEDIC

This application process is open to candidates who hold a current Emergency Medical Technician certification or Paramedic License. Possession of a Nationally Registered Paramedic license is highly preferred.

Entry Level – Grade C-1 Firefighter/Paramedic

$56,325.00 plus an EMT stipend of $4000, or a Paramedic stipend of $7700.

Full Benefits package including;

• 401K retirement with an up to 8% match contribution
• Medical Health Insurance including Dental and Vision
• Life Insurance
• Other Educational Stipends
• Associates Degree -$300
• Bachelor’s Degree - $400
• Master’s Degree - $500
• Paid Vacation and Sick Leave Accrual

This application process will be open until December 25, 2024 and may be extended by the City of West Haven Fire Department - Allingtown, Board of Fire Commissioners, or the city as may be required.

The City of West Haven Fire Department is an Equal Opportunity Employer, Minorities, Veterans, Females, and the handicapped are encouraged to apply.

Qualifications:

Candidates must have/ adhere to the following qualifications.

• Hold a valid Driver’s License and be able to obtain a CT Class 2D with a Q endorsement or a CT CDL prior to the expiration of the Probationary Period and maintain that certification while employed by the City of West Haven Fire Department.
• High School Diploma or GED.
• Must be 21 years of age.
• Currently certified Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) or licensed Paramedic and be a Nationally Registered Certified Paramedic with the ability to attain New Haven Sponsor Hospital Medical Control within six months of hire date, as well as maintaining your EMT certification and Paramedic License and Medical Control while employed as a Firefighter /Paramedic for a period of 20 years.
• Capable of passing a medical / physical examination, Drug Screen, and Background Investigation.
• Must not use any tobacco products.
• Successfully pass an interview process with the Board of Fire Commissioners and Fire Chiefs.
• Candidates should understand that you will be required to function as both a EMT-Paramedic and a Firefighter and must be able to perform all requirements of the National Fire Protection Association Standard for Firefighter Professional Qualifications 1001.

Job Description:

This is skilled firefighting work in suppressing, extinguishing, and preventing fires; in rendering medical assistance at medical and other emergency scenes; hazardous materials mitigation; technical rescue; and operating and maintaining Fire Department equipment, apparatus, and quarters.

Work involves responsibility for the protection of life and property through performance of firefighting, rescue, Emergency Medical Service (EMS), and related duties. Work is performed as a team: including training and participation in the use of firefighting and emergency medical equipment, performance of which may be hazardous under emergency conditions. Work may require the firefighter to remain on duty for several consecutive shifts due to emergency situations. Work may require strenuous exertion under such environments as smoke, fire, heat, confined spaces, and infectious disease.

When not engaged in firefighting, rescue, or first responder activities, a significant portion of time is devoted to training and studying methods and techniques, inspecting premises for fire hazards, routine duties in the care of the station and equipment maintenance, and other departmental duties as assigned.

Specific orders and assignments are given by a superior officer, in both firefighting and at the fire station, and performed under close supervision in accordance with established policies and procedures. However, performance of the work requires initiative and thorough understanding of firefighting methods and emergency medical care as learned on the job and in training.

Responds to fire alarms with a company; drives apparatus; operates and uses pumps and ladders, uses chemical extinguishers, hand tools, hooks, hose lines and other equipment.

Ventilates burning buildings by opening windows and skylights or by cutting openings in roofs and floors; removes persons from danger; administers emergency medical care to ill or injured persons.

Performs salvage operations by placing salvage covers, sweeping water and removing debris.

Performs emergency medical assistance to fire victims and/or as first responders to medical and other emergency situations.

Participates in daily training sessions; reads and studies assigned materials regarding firefighting, emergency medical care, fire prevention and related subjects, studies the theory and techniques of firefighting, emergency medical care, hydraulics, fire chemistry, and related subjects; participates in a variety of drills and instructions.

Inspects buildings and premises for familiarization, checks for fire hazards, participates in the inspection and maintenance of fire hydrants, cleaning away snow, ice and grass for accessibility.

Operates fire apparatus and may assume command of a fire company on an as needed basis.

Participates in pre-planning survey of commercial, industrial and institutional structures.

Performs general maintenance work in the upkeep of Fire Department property; cleans and maintains fire stations and equipment; performs other maintenance duties.

Performs fire prevention and public fire education work.

Requirements:

• Graduation from high school or possess State Equivalency Diploma (GED); and the following knowledge, skills and abilities:
• Ability to learn a wide variety of firefighting duties, evolutions, and methods.
• Ability to function in a confined space atmosphere.
• Ability to wear and function using a Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus.
• Ability to climb ladders and work at considerable heights.
• Ability to learn locations of streets, hydrants, principal buildings and other physical features of West Haven.
• Ability to act quickly and calmly in emergency situations.
• Ability to follow oral and written instructions.
• Ability to establish and maintain an effective working relationship with other employees and the public.
• Ability to learn emergency medical care techniques.
• Ability to maintain Medical Control and Paramedic certification, for the length of time specified in the City of West Haven Fire Department Allingtown / Local 1198 Collective Bargaining Agreement.
• Mechanical aptitude and manual dexterity.
• Physical strength and agility and the ability to perform arduous tasks under strenuous and adverse conditions.
• Works under the direct or indirect supervision of an officer or other designated superior within the chain of command.

Requirements of Employment;

• Must be a citizen of the United States
• Must be a minimum of 21 years of age (on date applications are due)
• Must be a non-tobacco user for his/her entire career as a CWHFD Firefighter
• Must live within a 25-mile radius of the West Haven border in any city or town that falls within that circle in the State of Connecticut on the date of appointment
• Must have and maintain State of CT EMT certification and or Paramedic License and New Haven Sponsor Hospital Center medical control for not less than 20 years from the date of hire.
• Out of state National Registry certified EMT or Paramedics may apply with the requirement that they obtain Yale New Haven Hospital Center for EMS and DPH medical control within the first 6 months of employment. Written New Haven Sponsor Hospital.
• Must have passed and been certified by the Candidates Physical Ability Test (CPAT) not more than one (1) year prior to filing an application or have certification from the Candidates Physical Ability Test (CPAT) on the date of appointment.
• Be in general good health and have sufficient strength, stamina and agility to perform the duties required by the position.
• Must pass an oral interview, background check, drug testing, and physical examination.
• Possess excellent moral character
• High School Diploma, OR a General Equivalency Certificate – GED
• Have normal hearing, normal depth perception, with no marked muscle imbalance.
• Visual acuity 20/20 20/40, corrected to 20/20
• Have a Connecticut motor vehicle operator’s license at the time of appointment.

Regarding Criminal Record: Have no criminal record revealing the conviction of a felony under state or federal law; have no criminal record revealing the conviction of a Class A or Class B misdemeanor under State of Connecticut law or of a crime in any other jurisdiction that, if committed in this state, would constitute a Class A or Class B misdemeanor; or have no criminal record revealing a conviction of perjury or false statement.

Undergo a criminal record check by name and date of birth. Said record check will be made in Connecticut and any other state in which the applicant has lived.

Undergo a background investigation, including a check of motor vehicle law convictions for operating a motor vehicle under the influence of intoxicating beverages or narcotics or controlled substance or for evasion of responsibility.

Upon a preliminary job offer, undergo a controlled substance /alcohol screen. That the result of such screen indicates no presence of any controlled substance, not prescribed by a licensed physician for the candidate.

Candidates will be subject to other screening phases, including a comprehensive medical examination. The examination will be conducted in accordance with applicable law.

The City of West Haven Board of Fire Commissioners reserves the right to waive certain requirements for employment with the Fire District.

Please direct questions regarding this position to mterenzio@cityofwesthavenfd.org