Firefighter-EMT

We’re looking for motivated, service-driven Firefighter EMTs who want to be part of something from the beginning.

This is more than an opportunity to continue your career in the fire service. It’s an opportunity to become a founding member of a new Fire Rescue Department and help establish the culture, traditions, standards, and sense of teamwork that will define it for years to come.

Why join us from the start?

• Be a Founding Team Member — Join during a defining moment and help build the foundation of a new Fire Rescue Department.
• Help Shape the Culture — Be part of a team built around service, safety, professionalism, accountability, and teamwork.
• Make an Immediate Impact — Provide emergency services that directly affect the lives and well-being of the people in our community.
• Build Something That Lasts — Help establish the traditions, expectations, and standards future members will inherit.
• Learn and Grow — Develop your skills, take on new challenges, and grow professionally as the department grows.
• Be Part of the Team From Day One — Work alongside professionals who share a commitment to serving the community and building a strong department together.

What You’ll Do
 In this role, you’ll have the opportunity to:

What We’re Looking For

We’re looking for Firefighter EMTs who are ready to work hard, serve others, and be part of a team.
The ideal candidate brings integrity, sound judgment, compassion, initiative, and a strong commitment to safety and public service. We’re looking for professionals who communicate effectively, remain composed in challenging situations, support their crew, and take pride in being prepared when the community needs them.
Joining a new Fire Rescue Department also requires flexibility and a willingness to contribute. There may not always be an established tradition or a familiar way of doing things. Founding members will have the opportunity—and responsibility—to help create them.

If you’re ready to serve the community, be part of a strong team, and help build the traditions and foundation of a new Fire Rescue Department, we encourage you to apply.

Salary/Step Placement: The salary range listed for this position reflects the full range of the applicable salary step schedule. The starting salary and step placement for the selected candidate will be determined based on verification of the candidate’s current salary step, relevant experience, education, certifications, qualifications, and other applicable factors. Placement within the salary range is not guaranteed and may vary based on the selected candidate’s verified qualifications.

Please review the job description and the documentation requirements indicated below.**  

APPLICATIONS WILL ONLY BE ACCEPTED IN THEIR ENTIRETY.  APPLICATIONS SUBMITTED WITHOUT PROPER REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION MAY BE DEEMED INCOMPLETE AND WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED.

The purpose of this position is to protect life and property through fire suppression, rescue, emergency medical services, fire prevention, training, and other emergency response activities.
Employees in this classification perform skilled firefighting, rescue, and emergency medical duties under emergency conditions that may involve significant physical exertion, heat, smoke, limited or zero visibility, hazardous environments, and sustained mental concentration. Responsibilities also include training, inspecting and maintaining apparatus and equipment, maintaining station readiness, and participating in fire prevention, public education, and other departmental activities as assigned.
Work is performed under the supervision of departmental officers and in accordance with established Fire Rescue policies, procedures, protocols, and medical direction. Employees are expected to exercise sound independent judgment, work effectively as part of a team, and respond quickly, safely, and effectively during emergency situations. Performance is evaluated through observation, review of reports and records, and overall job performance.ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
The essential functions listed below are those that represent the majority of the time spent working in this class. Management may assign additional functions related to the type of work of the class as necessary.

• Responds to fires, fire alarms, emergency medical incidents, rescues, hazardous materials incidents, natural disasters, and other emergency situations as assigned.
• Performs fire suppression operations, including advancing and operating hose lines, connecting to water supplies, operating nozzles and appliances, and assisting with fire attack.
• Performs search and rescue operations in hazardous environments, including removing or assisting victims from structures, vehicles, waterways, and other emergency situations.
• Provides emergency medical care within the scope of practice of a State of Florida Emergency Medical Technician (EMT), including patient assessment, bleeding control, CPR, basic life support, and other authorized treatment.
• Firefighter EMTs shall be assigned to staff a Rescue unit and perform emergency medical duties within the scope of their State of Florida EMT certification. Assignment to a Rescue unit shall continue until the employee obtains State of Florida Paramedic certification and successfully completes all Deerfield Beach Fire Rescue requirements for functioning as a Paramedic. Firefighter EMTs shall not be eligible for promotion to a higher rank until State of Florida Paramedic certification and all applicable departmental credentialing requirements have been successfully completed.
• Performs forcible entry, ventilation, ladder operations, salvage, overhaul, and other fireground functions using appropriate tools and equipment.
• Responds to hazardous materials incidents and performs assigned functions consistent with training, certification, and departmental procedures.
• Inspects, cleans, maintains, and ensures the operational readiness of firefighting, rescue, EMS, and personal protective equipment.
• Participates in company, station, and departmental training, drills, critiques, physical fitness activities, and continuing education.

• Assists with fire prevention activities, public education, community engagement, pre-incident planning, and station tours as assigned.
• Performs station duties, including cleaning and maintaining apparatus, equipment, tools, work areas, and living quarters.
• Completes required reports, records, patient care documentation, equipment checks, and other departmental documentation accurately and timely.
• Maintains knowledge of response areas, streets, hydrants, target hazards, departmental policies, operational procedures, and EMS protocols. 
• Other duties, responsibilities, and activities may change or be assigned at any time with or without notice

MINIMUM EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS:

• Must be at least eighteen (18) years of age.
• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Current State of Florida Firefighter Certificate of Compliance, Certificate of Statutory Compliance, or Certificate of Training.
• Current State of Florida Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) certification.
• Current Basic Life Support (BLS)/CPR certification.
• Valid State of Florida driver license with any endorsement required by the City or Fire Rescue Department and an acceptable driving record.
• Current Emergency Vehicle Operator Course (EVOC) certification, or equivalent training acceptable to Deerfield Beach Fire Rescue.
• Must meet all physical, medical, background, and other employment requirements established by the City and applicable law.
• Must maintain all required licenses and certifications as a condition of employment.
  • Candidates with less than three (3) years of career firefighting experience must possess a current and valid Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT) certification/card, completed within one (1) year of the application date, from a recognized testing agency or fire academy, in accordance with City and Fire Rescue Department requirements. Candidates with three (3) or more years of career firefighting experience are exempt from the CPAT requirement.
  • Candidates with less than three (3) years of career firefighting experience must possess a current and valid Broward County Swim Test certification/card at the time of application. Candidates with three (3) or more years of career firefighting experience are exempt from this requirement.

Applicable to Firefighter/EMT and Firefighter/Paramedic applicants with less than three (3) years of professional firefighting experience.

Due to limited testing availability, the City of Deerfield Beach has adjusted the submission deadline for the Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT) and swim certifications.

Applicants who have not submitted the required certifications through their NeoGov application will be permitted to submit documentation of successful completion to askfire@deerfieldbeachfl.gov prior to their scheduled in-person interview.

Please note:

• Both the CPAT and swim certifications remain mandatory requirements.

• Applicants must successfully complete and submit both certifications before they can proceed to an in-person interview.

• This adjustment applies only to the certification submission deadline and does not waive either requirement.

Applicants are encouraged to schedule and complete both certifications as soon as possible to avoid delays in the selection process.

PREFERRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS:

• Previous fire rescue, EMS, emergency response, or related public safety experience preferred.
• Additional fire service, rescue, hazardous materials, EMS, or technical certifications and training preferred.
• National Registry Emergency Medical Technician (NREMT) certification is preferred.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Knowledge of modern firefighting, rescue, fire prevention, salvage, and basic life support emergency medical principles, practices, equipment, and tools.
• Knowledge of hazardous materials awareness and emergency response safety practices.
• Knowledge of departmental policies, procedures, EMS protocols, safety practices, and Incident Command System principles.
• Ability to safely use, inspect, and maintain firefighting, rescue, EMS, and personal protective equipment.
• Ability to act quickly, calmly, safely, and effectively in emergency situations.
• Ability to understand and carry out oral and written instructions and communicate effectively by radio, verbally, and in writing.
• Ability to observe, evaluate, and report potentially dangerous conditions clearly and accurately.
• Ability to perform strenuous physical tasks for extended periods under adverse and hazardous environmental conditions.
• Ability to climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl, lift, carry, push, and pull persons, equipment, tools, hose, and other materials.
• Ability to work effectively as a member of a team and establish and maintain effective working relationships with coworkers, City officials, partner agencies, and the public.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
Physical demands refer to the requirements for physical exertion and coordination of limb and body movement.

• Performs very heavy and strenuous physical work requiring strength, stamina, agility, and coordination. Duties may require prolonged standing, walking, climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, lifting, carrying, pushing, and pulling persons and equipment while wearing full personal protective equipment and SCBA.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:
Unavoidable hazards refer to the job conditions that may lead to injury or health hazards even though precautions have been taken.

• Work is performed in fire stations, emergency vehicles, training environments, community settings, and emergency scenes. The employee may be exposed to fire, heat, smoke, hazardous materials, infectious materials, extreme weather, noise, confined spaces, unstable structures, traffic, water hazards, and other hazardous or potentially life-threatening conditions.

WORK HOURS 
Shift work is required, including nights, weekends, and holidays. Employees may be required to work overtime, emergency callbacks, declared emergencies, training assignments, and other hours necessary to meet the operational needs of the City.

AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT COMPLIANCE
The City of Deerfield Beach is an Equal Opportunity Employer.  ADA requires the City to provide reasonable accommodations to qualified persons with disabilities. 
Prospective and current employees are encouraged to discuss ADA accommodations with management.

ESSENTIAL SAFETY FUNCTIONS
It is the responsibility of each employee to comply with established policies, procedures and safe work practices. Each employee must follow safety training and instructions provided by their supervisor. Each employee must also properly wear and maintain all personal protective equipment required for their job. Finally, each employee must immediately report any unsafe work practices or unsafe conditions as well as any on-the-job injury or illnesses. 
Every manager/supervisor is responsible for enforcing all safety rules and regulations. In addition, they are responsible for ensuring that a safe work environment is maintained, safe work practices are followed and employees are properly trained.

EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITIES
Note: During emergency conditions, all City employees are automatically considered emergency service workers.  City employees are subject to being called to work in the event of a disaster, such as hurricane, or other emergency situations and are expected to perform emergency service duties as assigned.

The City of Deerfield Beach values the service veterans and their family members have given to our country and supports the hiring of returning service members and military spouses.

Salary : $63,840 - $98,279