Classification Summary
Under general supervision, provides emergency medical care, fire suppression, rescue, and protective services to residents and visitors of the City of Tumwater and Thurston County. Paramedic/Firefighters respond to medical emergencies, fires, hazardous materials incidents, accidents, natural and human-caused disasters, and other situations threatening life or property.
As licensed paramedics, employees provide basic and advanced life support services in accordance with Thurston County Medic One protocols, medical direction, and applicable laws and standards. Employees operate as members of an emergency response team and may direct other emergency personnel or civilians when necessary to support patient care, treatment, transportation, fire suppression, rescue, or scene safety.
The position also performs non-emergency responsibilities, including training, pre-incident planning, fire and injury prevention, public education, inspections, report preparation, equipment and apparatus checks, and station and facility maintenance.
Distinguishing Characteristics
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This classification performs the combined duties of a career firefighter and paramedic. Positions at this level independently provide advanced life support care while participating in fire suppression, rescue, emergency response, and other Fire Department operations.
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Employees work within an established chain of command and operate in closely coordinated team environments. Work requires the ability to follow orders, exercise sound judgment, maintain composure, and perform physically and mentally demanding duties under hazardous and rapidly changing conditions.
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Unlike firefighter classifications without paramedic responsibilities, this position maintains the certifications and medical authorization necessary to provide advanced life support services under Thurston County Medic One protocols.
Decision Rights & Problem Solving
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Exercises judgment within established medical protocols, emergency-response procedures, the incident command system, and the Department’s chain of command.
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Assesses patients and emergency conditions, identifies immediate hazards, and selects appropriate actions within the employee’s training, certification, and assigned authority.
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Emergency-scene decisions may involve significant risk and must frequently be made under stressful, hazardous, and rapidly changing conditions.
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Employees follow the direction of incident commanders, company officers, senior paramedics, and medical control and elevate unusual, high-risk, or protocol-related issues as appropriate.
Supervision Received / Exercised-
Received: Direct supervision is provided by senior Paramedic/Firefighters, Lieutenants, and Battalion Chiefs. Performance evaluations are conducted by a Paramedic Lieutenant in collaboration with the Shift Battalion Chief.
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Exercised: May provide instruction, coaching, or task guidance to probationary Paramedics and Paramedic students.
Key Relationships-
Internal: Firefighters, Paramedic/Firefighters, Lieutenants, Battalion Chiefs, command staff, fire prevention personnel, administrative staff, and employees from other City departments.
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External: Patients, family members, residents, visitors, law enforcement agencies, neighboring fire departments, ambulance providers, hospitals, air medical transport providers, Thurston County Medic One, medical control physicians, schools, businesses, contractors, and community organizations.
Tools & Technology-
Fire engines, medic units, emergency-response vehicles, and related apparatus
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Advanced and basic life support equipment
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Cardiac monitors, defibrillators, airway equipment, medication-delivery systems, and patient-movement equipment
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Self-contained breathing apparatus and respiratory protection equipment
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Fire suppression, rescue, forcible-entry, ventilation, and salvage equipment
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Hoses, ladders, pumps, nozzles, hand tools, and power tools
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Radios, mobile data terminals, computers, tablets, and communication devices
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Electronic patient care reporting and emergency incident reporting systems
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Personal protective equipment and exposure-control equipment
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Office software and standard office equipment
Working Conditions & Physical Demands
Work is performed in fire stations, emergency vehicles, medical facilities, residential and commercial properties, roadways, outdoor environments, confined spaces, elevated locations, and disaster or emergency scenes.
Duties involve exposure to fire, smoke, extreme heat and cold, inclement weather, hazardous materials, bloodborne and airborne pathogens, contagious diseases, electrical hazards, traffic, unstable structures, loud noise, traumatic injuries, death, violence, and other conditions that may be immediately dangerous to life or health.
The position requires strenuous physical activity while wearing protective clothing and respiratory equipment. Employees regularly stand, walk, run, climb, balance, bend, kneel, crouch, crawl, reach, push, pull, carry, drag, and operate tools or equipment. Duties include climbing stairs and ladders, working at heights or in confined spaces, handling charged fire hoses, moving patients, and performing rescue activities.
Emergency operations may require heavy lifting and moving people, equipment, or materials independently or as part of a team. Employees must possess the strength, mobility, coordination, vision, hearing, and respiratory capacity necessary to safely perform assigned firefighter and paramedic duties.
Employees generally work 24-hour shifts and may be required to attend training outside the normal shift schedule. The position is subject to overtime, callback, holdover, shift reassignment, and extended work periods during emergencies or disasters.
Reasonable accommodations will be provided for qualified individuals in accordance with applicable laws.
Commitment to Equity, Safety, and Ethics
Employees are expected to perform their duties in a manner that supports equity, safety, integrity, and professionalism. This includes following all safety policies and procedures, treating coworkers and the public with respect, and conducting work ethically and responsibly.
Employees are expected to uphold public trust through fair, transparent, and lawful conduct and to contribute to a safe, inclusive, and respectful work environment
