Wildland Fire Paramedic & EMT: Remote Standby

Description

The Wildland Fire Paramedic provides dedicated stand‑by medical support, emergency stabilization, and prolonged field care for wildland firefighting personnel and support staff. Operating in remote, austere, and rapidly changing environments, the Fire Paramedic coordinates with the Incident Command System (ICS) medical chain of command to fulfill standby duties in a professional, self‑sufficient, and timely manner. Keeping crew safety, wilderness risk management, and clinical excellence as top considerations, the Paramedic provides compassionate, high‑quality care within their scope of practice and according to NWCG guidelines and the Medical Operations Manual.

Age & Driving:
Must be at least 21 years old with an excellent driving record. Experience driving in off‑road, mountainous, or winter/icy conditions is highly preferred.

Licensure:
Must possess and maintain a current State of Alaska Paramedic License.

Certifications:

Must hold a valid driver’s license and a current Medical Examiner’s Certificate (DOT Medical Card).

NWCG

Qualifications:

Must possess or be able to obtain an NWCG Red Card (Incident Qualification Card) with a rating of Arduous (successful completion of the Pack Test: 3-mile hike with a 45‑lb pack in under 45 minutes).

Background & Compliance:
Must pass Drug and Alcohol testing, as well as required state/federal background checks. Completion of a defensive driving or Emergency Vehicle Operator Safety (EVOS) course is required and must be repeated every two years.

High school diploma or GED;
Graduate from an approved Paramedic course.

Minimum 1 year of active Pre‑hospital EMS experience required (911 or remote/industrial medicine preferred).

Required Clinical

Certifications:

Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS), and Pre‑Hospital Trauma Life Support (PHTLS) or International Trauma Life Support (ITLS).

Required ICS Training:
Completion of FEMA IS‑100, IS‑200, IS‑700, and IS‑800. NWCG S‑130 (Firefighter Training) and S‑190 (Introduction to Wildland Fire Behavior) are highly preferred.

Fluency to read, write, and communicate effectively via tactical radio in the English language.

Maintains strict patient confidentiality in accordance with HIPAA regulations despite the close‑quarters nature of fire camps.

Honest, trustworthy, and demonstrates a strong, self‑motivated work ethic.

Possesses cultural awareness and sensitivity when interacting with diverse crews and local communities.

Proven ability to remain calm, flexible, and resourceful during logistical delays, sudden weather shifts, and unexpected emergency scenarios.

Excellent eyesight, hearing, manual coordination, and physical dexterity.

Ability to sit, stand, walk, hike, bend, crouch, and kneel for extended periods on steep, uneven, rocky, or unstable terrain.

Must be able to bend, lift, push, drag, hoist, and pull 70 pounds or more frequently (e.g., extricating patients from rugged terrain, moving heavy trauma bags, or deploying vehicle recovery gear).

Environmental Tolerance:
Must be able to perform demanding physical duties under extreme weather conditions, including intense heat, heavy smoke, freezing temperatures, dust, rain, and snow.

Must successfully pass the agency’s Physical Agility Test and maintain the physical fitness required for wildland deployment.

Incident Command Integration:
Maintains a thorough understanding of the Incident Command System (ICS). Works directly under the guidance of the Medical Unit Leader (MEDL), Line Safety Officer (SOFR), or Division Supervisor (DIVS) while on assignment.

Austere Emergency Care:
Diagnoses, treats, and stabilizes medical emergencies and traumatic injuries in pre‑hospital, remote, and wilderness environments. Provides prolonged field care when transport or extraction times to a definitive care facility are extended.

Fireline Stand‑by & Mobilization:
Remains in a high state of readiness at designated stand‑by locations (e.g., Incident Base Camps, Helibases, staging areas, or drop points). Must be prepared to self‑sustain…