The Bella Vista Fire Department is looking for candidates to fill experienced Firefighter EMT and Firefighter Paramedic positions and for candidates to fill entry level Firefighter/EMT positions. Our Firefighter EMTs/Paramedics work a 48/96 schedule.

The responsibilities consist of specialized work in the handling and treatment of patients in emergency medical situations as well as in the area of firefighting. This is a front-line position, providing excellent customer service to members of the general public and other city employees. Close interaction with representatives from environmental regulatory agencies of the State and Federal governments may at times be necessary.

The City of Bella Vista will typically test entry level candidates in the Spring or Fall (or both) each year, depending on the current needs of the department. All applicants must pass a written exam and a physical fitness test. Anyone who qualifies for such a position with the City of Bella Vista will be required to also pass a background check, a drug screen, and a medical fitness for duty physical following any offer of employment.

By completing this application, you are applying for a Firefighter EMT/Paramedic position with the City of Bella Vista Fire Department and will be certifying that all information you provide on your application is true and accurate to the best of your knowledge.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Responds to a variety of emergency situations including, but not limited to fires, accidents, medical and rescue emergencies, and hazardous materials incidents.
• May perform search and rescue, ventilation, fire suppression, and hazardous materials clean-up duties at the scene of a fire or accident, or other emergency situation.
• Drives, attends, and/or accompanies another Emergency Medical Technician/Paramedic to and from locations when called to provide service.
• Operate all emergency equipment and troubleshoot if necessary.
• Conducts systematized assessment of injuries to victims for determination of prioritizing the transportation of medical patients and methods of controlling all injuries.
• Utilizes medical equipment and procedures.
• Effectively communicates with patients and bystanders and relays information from the field to the hospital. Provides emotional support when needed.
• Acts as a team leader and takes responsibility for scene management as needed.
• Maintains vehicles in efficient operating condition and maintains a clean and well-stocked ambulance.
• Operates vehicle radio in compliance with accepted policies and procedures of the Bella Vista Fire and EMS and the Bella Vista Police Communication Center and adheres to all Federal Communication Commission (FCC) guidelines.
• Inspects, cleans, and restocks equipment, tools, and supplies on vehicles and in the fire station.
• Completes necessary and accurate documentation following emergency events.
• Performs routine building and equipment maintenance and repair work at the fire station.
• Participates in training activities and programs to maintain required certifications and to learn new equipment and techniques.
• Respects the confidentiality of clients and meet all Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) requirements.

• High School graduate or equivalent
• Must be at least 18 years of age
• Valid driver's license with passenger endorsement
• Emergency Vehicle Operation Course (EVOC) required before operating any service owned vehicles.
• Current certification in the State of Arkansas as a Certified Emergency Medical Technician-Paramedic (National Registry Preferred), 16-hour EVOC certified course.
• Currently updated in CPR, ACLS discipline, PALS, PHTLS within 5years, and AMLS within 5years.

Must be able to pass drug screen, background check, and physical test.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, & ABILITIES:

• Ability to collect, assess and record data.
• Ability to work in a constant state of alertness and in a safe manner.
• Ability to exercise discretion in identifying and selecting from alternative courses of action. Ability to communicate effectively with superiors and co-workers and members of the public.
• Ability to perform tasks in changing and stressful circumstances; includes the ability to maintain control of emotions and actions and to make rapid decisions.
• Ability to calm and comfort individuals who are distraught, ill, or injured.
• Ability to utilize a variety of tools (some complex), equipment, and supplies associated with firefighting, EMS, and rescue activities. Some, but not all examples include equipment such as, defibrillator, EKG monitor, oxygen and suction devices, intravenous fluids, CPR, and other procedures and medications as required to provide advanced medical care.
• Ability to exert heavy to extremely heavy, though not constant, physical effort, typically involving some combination of climbing and balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching and crawling, and the lifting, carrying, pushing, and/or pulling of objects and materials weighing 21-50 pounds; may occasionally involve objects and materials up to and exceeding 100 pounds.
• Vision abilities required include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus day and night and in all types of conditions.
• Ability to operate a motor vehicle to conduct work activities.
• Ability to work a 24-hour shift.
• Ability to perform addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division, and to calculate decimals and percentages; ability to calculate surface areas, volumes, weights, and measures.
• Ability to operate a personal computer, utilizing word processing, spreadsheet, database management, mapping, incident reporting, and other software applications as may be necessary to perform essential job functions; ability to operate a mobile data computer.
• Ability to apply knowledge of Standing Orders and their interpretation is a requirement for this position. Must adhere and understand the Bella Vista Fire and EMS Departments Suggested Operating Procedures (SOPs) at all times.
• Be able to learn the geographic territory.
• Performance of essential functions may require exposure to adverse environmental conditions, such as difficult terrain, fire, smoke, moisture, dirt, dust, snow, rain, severe weather, temperature and noise extremes, machinery, vibrations, electric currents, traffic hazards, violence, fumes, toxic agents, disease or pathogenic substances.
• Performance of essential functions may require life-or-death decisions based on circumstances beyond the incumbent's control; decisions may affect the general public.
• Perform other related and unrelated duties as assigned.
• To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed here are representative but are not all-inclusive of the knowledge, skills, and abilities required.

IMMUNIZATIONS:

Tetanus & diphtheria (Td) toxoid or tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis (Tdap.) Receipt of primary series and booster within the last 10 years, if not, series or booster will be provided by the Bella Vista Fire and EMS. Documentation of Hepatitis B vaccination series and documentation of a positive titer (antibody to HBsAg) OR completion of a waiver of liability should be presented at the time of employment.