Firefighter (Firefighter/EMT)

Fairfax County is a diverse urban county with over 1.1 million residents which boasts a nationally recognized school system, safe neighborhoods, extensive parklands, and bustling town centers. This urban county has a history of stable political leadership, effective citizen engagement, and outstanding service delivery.

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 other types of apparatus, such as brush trucks, boats, and support vehicles supplement the needs of the FCFRD. Additionally, the FCFRD is home to VATF-1/USA-1, part of the Federal Emergency Management

Agency (FEMA) response system, and one of two internationally deployable Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) Teams in the United States.

Duties include:

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

Provides basic and advanced emergency medical care to stabilize the condition Firefighter (Firefighter/EMT) description imageof the critically ill or injured prior to transport to a medical facility

Drives emergency apparatus, including, but not limited to transport units, engines, trucks, rescue squads, and tankers

Conducts patient assessment

Performs related work as required under direct supervision

Participates in Community Risk Reduction and community outreach activities

Works as part of a team and embodies the FRD's Core Values

Note: Following successful completion of recruit school, incumbents will serve a 12-month probationary period.

Learn more about the Fire and Rescue Department by visiting our website, and by following us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and our YouTube channel.

Illustrative Duties

Fire Suppression

Responds to fire alarms and a variety of emergency calls

Connects hose to hydrant, and pulls and deploys pre-connected hose lines;

Wearing self-contained breathing apparatus and protective clothing, enters burning buildings with hose lines

Operates a nozzle and places a stream of water on a fire

Mounts and operates master stream appliances from an aerial ladder or elevating platform

Ventilates burning buildings by opening windows/skylights or by opening holes in roofs/floors

Positions ventilation fans to safely inject fresh air and exhaust heat, smoke, and gases

Performs salvage operations (e.g., removes fire debris and water, locates hidden fires, and operates shut-off valves for gas, electricity, oil and water)

Operates chemical and hand extinguishers

Raises, lowers and climbs ladders

Uses radio and computer-aided dispatch equipment

Drives motorized apparatus in emergency and non-emergency conditions

Operates fire pumps at proper pressures and flows

Searches for victims in burning, smoke-filled buildings or other hazardous environments;

Removes persons from danger

Performs heavy rescue operations

Administers first aid to injured persons

Takes vital signs and stabilizes patient

Collects pertinent information for patient assessment, including the patient's medical history

Conducts assessment for treatment of a patient with trauma-induced injuries

Performs water rescues from land and boats

Assists in the search and recovery of drowned victims

Operates emergency lighting appliances

Operates self-contained breathing apparatus in hazardous environments and confined spaces

Identifies and protects flammable or hazardous materials at fire scene

Restores apparatus and equipment to service after use

Refills self-contained breathing cylinders

Maintains specialized fire equipment and protective gear

Studies area geography, street names and locations, target hazards, pre-plans, water supply, and other firefighting resources

Studies building construction to identify structural weaknesses and fire behavior

Instructs citizens in fire prevention and life safety techniques

Examines building plans for pre-fire planning purposes

Pre-plans for fires in residential areas to provide information regarding hydrant locations, exposures, types of occupancy, and areas of high life or monetary loss risk

Pre-plans for fires in industrial and commercial buildings to provide information regarding location of hydrants and standpipes, building layout, hazardous material storage, occupancy patterns, and structural information

Participates in the inspection of businesses and public places for fire and life safety hazards

Inspects wiring and heating systems, basements, and attics of residences, and recommends ways to eliminate fire hazards

Inspects storage of hazardous and flammable materials and refers unsafe practices to the Fire Prevention Division

Inspects heating, cooling, ventilating, and electrical systems in commercial buildings and refers unsafe practices to the Fire Prevention Division

Inspects exits at public assemblies to ensure they are clearly marked, operate properly, and are clear of obstructions

Prepares inspection reports

Recognizes and preserves evidence on the causes of fires

Performs public relations duties (e.g., teaching school children about fire safety)

Emergency Medical Services

Drives a Basic Life Support Unit or Advanced Life Support Unit in response to emergency calls, transporting victims to a medical facility

Conducts primary and secondary patient survey

Provides and assists in rendering emergency care, such as opening and maintaining a victim's airway, giving positive pressure ventilation and cardiac resuscitation in a pulseless, non-breathing patient, controlling hemorrhages, treating for shock, immobilizing fractures, bandaging wounds, assisting in childbirth, and initiating poison and burn treatments

Performs triage assessment in a multi-casualty incident

Inspects scene of poisoning or drug overdose to determine nature of poison, and identifies

antidote or treatment procedure

Treats a range of injuries requiring emergency care techniques within the scope of an

Emergency Medical Technician (EMT)

Assists in the extrication of entrapped victims, using prescribed techniques and appliances for removing the patient safely

Assures prompt medical care on delivery by reporting via radio, directly to the emergency department or control center, the nature and extent of injuries or the medical situation, as well as the estimated time of arrival

Performs routine preventive maintenance on the rescue vehicle

Stocks and maintains and participates in the inventory of supplies and medical equipment in the vehicle

Participates in medical equipment checks.

In Each Functional Area

Attends training sessions, participates in drills, and participates in the physical fitness program;

Performs housekeeping tasks in fire stations and on the grounds of fire stations

Utilizing computers and other related equipment, maintains records as necessary and completes incident reports

Participates in firefighting, rescue, and EMS duties

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.

LICENSES AND CERTIFICATES REQUIRED:

Possession of a valid motor vehicle driver's license 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 Commonwealth of Virginia Emergency Medical Technician (EMT)

Certification as a Hazardous Materials First Responder in accordance with Fairfax County training standards

Certification in the Emergency Vehicle Operations Course (EVOC); and Certification in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and automatic electronic defibrillation (AED)

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:

The employee must be able to:

Reach above shoulder

Work with body, bend over at the waist, kneel, crawl, climb stairs & ladders

Work with arms extended, work with arms above shoulder level, stand, sit, push, and stoop

All duties are performed with or without reasonable accommodation

SELECTION PROCESS:

Successfully pass the following evaluation steps:

Application review

Personal History Statement

Written exam

Candidate Physical Abilities Test (CPAT) Preparation

CPAT exam

Polygraph evaluation

Medical examination

Psychological profile evaluation

Must complete fingerprints or background check with VA OEMS for eligibility to hold an EMS 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.

Fairfax County was home to many of America’s earliest statesmen, including George Washington of Mount Vernon and George Mason of Gunston Hall. It is one of the premier centers of technology in the United States. Located just west of the nation’s capital, Fairfax County is the most populous jurisdiction in the Commonwealth of Virginia. It has a large, diverse and dynamic economy, and is home for eight Fortune 500 companies, more than 400 international owned firms, and the largest concentration of technology jobs of any major U.S. market. Minority-, women-, and veteran-owned businesses make significant contributions to the economy and add diversity to the business community.

The County offers residents an excellent environment in which to raise and educate their children. The Fairfax County Public School System and area private schools offer parents numerous education options. Fairfax County is also a leader in higher education, where five major colleges and universities, including the main campus of George Mason University, are located. Northern Virginia Community College – the largest community college in the Commonwealth of Virginia – has two campuses in Fairfax County. The community has a wealth of cultural and recreational resources that provide abundant opportunities for children to learn and grow.