Firefighter (Basic Life Support & Hazardous Materials Technician)

Quick Facts

• Role: Firefighter (BLS & Hazardous Materials Technician)

• Work schedule: Rotating 72-hour work week, any day of the week, including holidays

• Duty location: Must live within or be willing to relocate within commutable distance

Description

Serve as a Firefighter with Basic Life Support and Hazardous Materials duties, including patient assessment, CPR, bag-valve-mask ventilation, and AED use. Support rescue operations, bleeding control, and emergency medication assistance under standing orders/physician direction, while performing hazard and risk assessment to mitigate hazardous releases. Carry out fire control operations including hose use, water supply hookup, forcible entry, and ladder placement.

Responsibilities

• Perform initial and ongoing patient assessment and physical examinations

• Manage respiratory and cardiac emergencies (CPR, bag-valve-mask resuscitation/ventilation, AED)

• Assist injured patients (direct pressure, tourniquets, airway checks, CPR, immobilization)

• Drive an ambulance in non-emergency and emergency conditions

• Assist patients with emergency medications under standing orders or physician direction

• Use hazard and risk assessment techniques and perform incident analysis

• Assist in developing strategy to mitigate hazardous release

• Operate fire attack lines and apply fire streams for fire control and extinguishment

• Establish water supply connections to hydrants, sprinkler systems, standpipes, and fire apparatus

• Load, unload, and advance fire hoses

• Make forcible entry into locked and concealed areas

• Place and climb ground ladders for fireground work (control, ventilation, rescue)

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship

• Live within or be willing to relocate within commutable distance of the duty location (not a virtual position)

• Complete all required steps, including an online assessment

• Subject to urinalysis drug testing if tentatively selected for a testing-designated position

• Selective Service registration required for males born after 12/31/1959

• Basic written and spoken English proficiency

• Maximum entry age: must not have reached 37th birthday by appointment date

• Submit copies of certifications at time of application

• Firefighter I and II certification (DOD, National Pro Board, or IFSAC)

• Hazardous Materials Operations certification per NFPA 472

• Emergency Medical Technician certification (state or national registry)

• Fire Apparatus Driver/Pump Operator certification per NFPA 1002

• For GS-7: at least 1 year specialized experience equivalent to GS-6-level firefighter BLS/HazMat duties

• Meet medical/physical requirements and maintain annual certification per NFPA 1500, 1582, and 1583

• Ability to work in extreme heat/smoke environments and wear protective ensemble including self-contained breathing apparatus

Benefits

A career with the U.S. government provides a comprehensive federal benefits package. Eligibility depends on the position type and whether the role is full-time, part-time, or intermittent.