Firefighter/EMS Provider - Town of Cumberland

Training for: Public Safety - EMS, Public Safety - Fire

The Cumberland Fire Department is responsible for providing efficient and effective delivery of fire, medical, rescue, and life safety emergency services to the residents and visitors to the Town of Cumberland. Emergency services are delivered from two strategically located fire stations in the community. The Fire Department also strives to improve the quality of life for Town residents by providing public education, code enforcement, and ongoing training for firefighters and EMS providers.

FIREFIGHTER/EMS PROVDER RECRUIT

The Cumberland Department is comprised of dual-role personnel.  As such, firefighter-EMS providers have the ability to rotate their emergency duties between ambulances and fire apparatus.  Due to their dual-role responsibilities, recruits are required to successfully graduate from a two or three-week new hire drill school which will help maximize their dual-role capabilities, familiarize themselves to the agency and to the Town of Cumberland.

New hire recruits are compensated during their drill school training, which will cover multiple topics related to fire, EMS, and specialty rescue operations.  Once new hire recruits successfully complete their drill school, they will then move to one of our four shifts.  New hire recruits will work an average of 7.5 shifts per month, working a 24 hour on/24 hour off/24 hour on/120 hour off rotation.

THE IDEAL CANDIDATE

The ideal candidate for a Firefighter/EMS Provider Recruit is committed to public service, detail oriented, adept at multi-tasking, and has good written and oral communication skills.  The successful candidate for this position will be able to remain calm, confident, and competent in high pressure situations and will keep up with the latest developments in the field of fire and emergency medical services. 

We are looking for someone who can work in a team environment, be able to foster and maintain productive and positive working relationships with other public safety agencies and be willing to maintain a positive culture of teamwork and collaboration within the department, the organization, and the community.

Not only is this line of work rewarding, but you will also have the security of knowing that what you do will make a difference and will be critical to the community in which you serve.

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE

This position requires a High School Diploma or GED, with preference for a bachelor’s or associate degree from an accredited college or university with course work in emergency medical services, fire science, fire administration, business or public administration, or a related field.

 License or Certification:

• Must hold and maintain a valid Maine Driver’s license
• Must hold and maintain a valid Maine EMS license (Paramedic preferred)
• NFPA Firefighter I (Firefighter II preferred)
• FEMA ICS 100, ICS 200, IS 700, IS 701, and IS 800 (within three months of hire)
• Must hold or obtain Hazardous Materials Operations level certification within one year
• Fire Instructor and/or EMS Instructor-Coordinator credentialing is a plus

Any equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered to satisfy these requirements.

Any conditional offers made will be dependent upon successfully passing the following:

• Medical screening, to include musculoskeletal (fusionetics) screening
• Psychological screening
• Background and reference checks
• Integrity testing

TESTING

The Firefighter/EMS Provider Recruit testing process covers four areas.

1. Physical Abilities Test
2. Computer based exam
3. Panel Interview/Assessment Center
4. Chief’s Interview

Physical Abilities Testing – What to Expect

Firefighting is one of the most respected and challenging careers one can pursue.  The daily job duties of a firefighter demand a high level of strength and conditioning.  To earn a position with the Cumberland Fire & Rescue Department, applicants must pass a Physical Abilities Test (PAT).  The Physical Abilities Testing consists of seven (7) job related tasks that must be performed sequentially.  This is a pass/fail test, and candidates will wear a 50 lb weighted vest (simulating the weight of a firefighters protective clothing and SCBA).  The seven timed tasks are:

1. Hose Hoist
2. Ladder Raise/Extension
3. Roof Ventilation Simulation
4. Attic Crawl
5. Ladder Handling
6. Hose Pull
7. Dummy Drag

In addition to the seven job related tasks, an applicant must also successfully ascend/descend the aerial and complete a claustrophobia test.  These two tasks are pass/fail but are not timed.

Written Exam

This timed exam will measure both cognitive ability and non-cognitive (behavior orientation) and include verbal comprehension, verbal expression, problem sensitivity, deductive reasoning, inductive reasoning, information ordering, mathematical reasoning, stress tolerance, team orientation and motivation/attitude.  To successfully pass the written exam, applicants must have a minimum score of 70. 

Study materials for candidates can be found at https://iosolutions.com/shop/?swoof=1&pa_examination=nfsi

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

The starting wage range for career employees is between $992.46-$1,345.25 per week with additional education and training stipends, along with opportunity for overtime, commensurate with education and years of experience.  An updated pay scale will be soon advertised.  Lateral entry for all Fire/EMS candidates with previous career experience.

A comprehensive benefits package for our career employees includes medical, dental, and life insurance, an employee assistance program, generous paid leave, tuition reimbursement at 75%, and longevity pay.  The Town participates in the Maine Public Employees Retirement Plan (MainePERS), Special Plan or defined 457 (ICMA) with Town matching up to 6%.  MainePERS Special Plan provides for 66 2/3% based on your highest 36 months and is a 25 year, no-age pension plan.

APPLICATION PROCESS

Please apply by sending the completed application, cover letter, and resume along with copies of all applicable Fire and EMS related certifications and licenses to Brenda Moore at bmoore@cumberlandmaine.com.

For more information on this position, please contact:

Brenda Moore, Human Resources

bmoore@cumberlandmaine.com

207-558-9111

The Town of Cumberland is an Equal Opportunity Employer and values diversity in the workplace.  Applicants selected as finalists for this position will be subject to a comprehensive background check.