SARASOTA MANATEE AIRPORT AUTHORITY
JOB DESCRIPTION
Job Code: 6035
Grade: 34
JOB TITLE: Firefighter - Paramedic
REPORTS TO: Fire Captain
DEPARTMENT: Airport Fire Department
FLSA STATUS: Non-Exempt
Salary Range: $67,012 - $100,517
Posting Date: 06/16/2026 ~ Closing Date: 07/31/2026
JOB SUMMARY
Under the direct supervision of the Fire Captain, primarily performs aircraft rescue and firefighting duties, first responder EMT and Paramedic duties, and building fire and rescue response to include general fire protection and fire suppression/prevention functions to ensure the safety of passengers, airport personnel and property.
JOB RESPONSIBILITIES
Essential Job Responsibilities:
Drives fire apparatus including aircraft rescue fire fighting vehicles to fire and incident scenes.
Transports equipment and safety personnel safely and quickly to and from a fire and rescue scene assuring adequate water, chemicals, and equipment are supplied.
Operates apparatus at fire scenes. Locates water supply, monitors pressure on hoses and nozzles, makes adjustments for calculated friction loss, and establishes fire stream.
Lays and connects hose lines and operates handheld and stationary nozzles directing water and foam streams. Operates portable fire extinguisher.
Responsible for upkeep and operational testing of assigned vehicle and related equipment.
Maintains basic life support equipment and apparatus. Checks medical supply inventory. Reports any equipment malfunction or missing supplies to the Fire Captain.
Inspects fire apparatus daily to ensure radio, pumps, gauges, engine, oil pressure, brakes and all systems are functioning properly. Checks the vehicle's condition including compartments to assure supplies are stocked and water, chemical, and agent levels are adequate. Cleans all equipment to include detailing. Reports any problems to the Fire Captain.
Performs salvage operation at fire and accident scenes such as cleaning debris, fuel, and chemical spills.
Attends training classes to become familiar with Airport facilities and operations, ARFF operations, runways, roads, and alternative routes to emergency scenes; learns fire hydrant and water source locations; participates in continuing study, training, and drill activity to achieve further certification, maintains required skills, and attain health and physical strength.
Completes and files reports on fires, accidents, rescue operations, hazardous conditions, training, vehicle work orders, inspections, fire alarms and other relevant reports. Attends training classes and re-certification classes as required by the Department, FAA, TSA, or the State of Florida.
Performs a variety of routine tasks in connection with the maintenance of the station, quarters, and grounds; maintains inventory of supplies and equipment.
Responding to emergencies: Paramedics are often the first medical professionals to arrive at the scene of an emergency, such as a car accident.
Assessing patients: Paramedics evaluate a patient's condition and determine the appropriate treatment
Providing treatment: Paramedics provide advanced life support, such as CPR, and other emergency care
Transporting patients: Paramedics safely transport patients to a hospital or other medical facility
Documenting care: Paramedics record their observations, and any treatment provided for patients.
Maintaining equipment: Paramedics inventory and replace medical supplies and clean equipment.
Communicating: Paramedics communicate with patients, their families, and hospital staff
Teaching first aid: Paramedics may teach the public how to perform first aid
Responds to emergency and non-emergency calls; provides emergency care including patient assessments, patient packaging and extrication, splinting, hemorrhage control, airway control, application of oxygen, and Advanced Life Support skills including, but not limited to, initiation of intravenous lines, administration of medications, electrical therapies, advanced airway procedures (oral/nasal intubation, rapid sequence intubation (RSI), cricothyrotomy and chest decompression) and intraosseous IO applications.
Performs and interprets ECGs (including 12-lead), with knowledge of treatment modalities for potentially life-threatening dysrhythmias and follows procedure for transmitting the same via electronic means to area emergency departments.
Performs emergency rescue of entrapped patients and medical procedures with skill and sound judgment and meets challenges and adapts to unusual situations
Inserts intravenous catheters into peripheral veins to include but not limited to the hand, forearm, ante-cubital and external jugular.
Accurately obtains patient vital signs including pulse, respirations, and auscultated blood pressure; ability to determine skin conditions and colors and treat accordingly
Systematically performs a patient assessment (head-to-toe) and treats according to medical director approved protocol.
Able to operate an Automatic External Defibrillator (AED) with skill and confidence.
Operates emergency vehicles in both emergency and non-emergency modes in a safe manner, obeying the laws and rules of the State of Florida and Manatee and Sarasota County. Maintains satisfactory driving record at all times.
Other Job Responsibilities:
Conducts tours of the station and provides information to the public about the Airport Fire Department functions and operations.
Performs other related duties as required.
MATERIALS AND EQUIPMENT USED
All Fire Department Vehicles, All Fire Fighting Equipment, Training Materials, Emergency Medical Equipment for Basic Life Support, Communications Equipment, Computer.
QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED
Where "preferred" is indicated, the qualification is not essential.
Education and Experience:
High School Diploma or GED.
Experience as an Aircraft Rescue Firefighter, preferred.
Live Fire Burn experience to comply with FAR Part 139, preferred.
Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS), preferred.
Licenses and Certifications:
Valid and current State of Florida Fire Fighter Certification.
Valid and current NREMT or State Paramedic Certification.
Valid State of Florida Driver's License with satisfactory driving record.
Other Requirements:
Must pass a physical fitness test or provide proof of passing the National Candidate Physical Abilities Test (CPAT) within the last six months.
Meet minimum qualifications for employment as a firefighter in the State of Florida as defined in Florida Statutes Section 633.412.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
Knowledge of aircraft and vehicle extraction procedures.
Knowledge of aircraft and structure firefighting principles and techniques and the laws of the State of Florida governing aircraft, aircraft operations and airport operations.
Knowledge of airport layout including the location of runways, terminals, buildings, and all facility's fire extinguisher, smoke detectors, standpipes, hydrants, pull alarm zones and floor plans.
Knowledge of departmental standard operating procedures and SMAA operations.
Knowledge of Federal Aviation Regulations.
Knowledge of operations of all fire and rescue apparatus and equipment.
Knowledge of mechanics, hydraulics, and necessary preventive maintenance of all equipment.
Knowledge of and skill in performing emergency treatment and life support procedures.
Knowledge of CPR and EMT/Paramedic procedures.
Knowledge of aircraft and vehicle extraction procedures.
Knowledge of and skill in performing emergency medical treatment and life support procedures.
Knowledge of symptoms of illnesses and traumatic injuries both visual and hidden.
Knowledge of hazardous materials and the response to incidents involving the same.
Knowledge of operating office machines to perform administrative functions to include personal computers.
Ability to perform strenuous work under adverse conditions for a sustained period of time including the ability to reach quickly and calmly in emergency situations.
Ability to work under adverse conditions of heat, smoke, noise, darkness, vibrations, weather, chemical environment, and emotional stress.
Ability to recognize danger and take immediate action necessary for the protection of life and property.
Ability to work from ladders, heights and in close quarters while wearing protective clothing and self-contained breathing apparatus.
Ability to understand and operate two-way communication equipment to include airfield communications.
Ability to orally communicate clearly and effectively.
Ability to drive apparatus in all weather and emergency situations.
Ability to react quickly and make sound judgments under pressure.
Ability to develop and implement training programs and exercises.
Physical Requirements:
A Firefighter - Paramedic is subject to special risks involving response to and operations at emergency scenes. The individual must be sufficiently fit to safely perform the emergency job duties that are associated with the position. Specific requirements include, but are not limited to, the physical ability to work while wearing protective equipment including self-contained breathing apparatus.
Mental Requirements:
In capacity as a Firefighter - Paramedic, is responsible for assigned daily ARFF activities. The Firefighter – Paramedic must be capable of functioning in a work environment with a high level of mental stress and pressures.
Environmental Requirements:
The Firefighter - Paramedic principally works in the Fire Station, except when called upon to perform emergency response duties. During these occasions, the Firefighter may be exposed to hazardous environmental conditions, including, but not limited to, extreme heat, smoke, and toxic gases.
Summary Clause:
The duties and responsibilities listed in this job class specification are intended only as illustrations of the various duties to be performed and are not all inclusive. The omission of other specific duties does not exclude them from being performed by the Fire Fighter - Paramedic if the duties are similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position. This job class specification does not constitute an employment contract between SMAA and the Fire Fighter – Paramedic and is subject to change at the discretion of the Airport Authority. ALL REQUIREMENTS ARE SUBJECT TO POSSIBLE MODIFICATION TO REASONABLY ACCOMMODATE INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES.
2018 Florida Statutes
Title XXXVIIINSURANCE
Chapter 633FIRE PREVENTION AND CONTROL
SECTION 412
Firefighters; qualifications for certification.
633.412 Firefighters; qualifications for certification. —A person applying for certification as a firefighter must:
(1) Be a high school graduate or the equivalent, as the term may be determined by the division, and at least 18 years of age.
(2) Not have been convicted of a misdemeanor relating to the certification or to perjury or false statements, or a felony or a crime punishable by imprisonment of 1 year or more under the law of the United States or of any state thereof or under the law of any other country, or dishonorably discharged from any of the Armed Forces of the United States. “Convicted” means a finding of guilt or the acceptance of a plea of guilty or nolo contendere, in any federal or state court or a court in any other country, without regard to whether a judgment of conviction has been entered by the court having jurisdiction of the case.
(3) Submit a set of fingerprints to the division with a current processing fee. The fingerprints will be forwarded to the Department of Law Enforcement for state processing and forwarded by the Department of Law Enforcement to the Federal Bureau of Investigation for national processing.
(4) Have a good moral character as determined by investigation under procedure established by the division.
(5) Be in good physical condition as determined by a medical examination given by a physician, surgeon, or physician assistant licensed to practice in the state pursuant to chapter 458; an osteopathic physician, surgeon, or physician assistant licensed to practice in the state pursuant to chapter 459; or an advanced practice registered nurse licensed to practice in the state pursuant to chapter 464. Such examination may include, but need not be limited to, the National Fire Protection Association Standard 1582. A medical examination evidencing good physical condition shall be submitted to the division, on a form as provided by rule, before an individual is eligible for admission into a course under s. 633.408.
(6) Be a nonuser of tobacco or tobacco products for at least 1 year immediately preceding application, as evidenced by the sworn affidavit of the applicant.
History.—ss. 8, 17, ch. 69-323; s. 1, ch. 70-110; ss. 1, 6, ch. 75-151; s. 1, ch. 77-116; s. 2, ch. 81-205; s. 10, ch. 84-243; s. 3, ch. 88-209; s. 1, ch. 89-89; s. 23, ch. 89-233; s. 7, ch. 91-189; s. 13, ch. 93-276; s. 2, ch. 2005-76; s. 57, ch. 2013-116; s. 60, ch. 2013-183; s. 24, ch. 2016-132; s. 76, ch. 2018-106.
Note.—Former s. 163.490; s. 633.34.
(Printed from http://www.flsenate.gov/laws/statutes/2018/633.412)
