Supporting the needs of Fire Rescue's greatest resource, its members, is the responsibility of Interim Division Chief Frank Fernandez. The Personnel Division of Hillsborough County Fire Rescue is responsible for several major components of Fire Rescue, including the development of (and compliance with) operating policies and procedures, the administration of recruitment and promotions. The Chief of the Personnel Division also serves as the department's liaison with the Hillsborough County Civil Service and Human Resource departments. The personnel office also calculates Hillsborough County's largest department payroll, as Fire Rescue is staffed with 893 employees supported by 175 volunteers.

In addition, the Personnel Division administers the department's light duty policy, which uses the many talents of its employees while they are temporarily away from their emergency fire & medical duties. Maintaining compliance with local, state, and federal employment statutes and laws, including EEOC, FLSA, and others is a major responsibility of the Personnel Division.

The Chief of the Personnel Division directs all internal affairs activities, maintaining fair and equitable treatment for all Fire Rescue personnel. The Chief of the Personnel Division develops and supports employee initiatives to assist in maintaining morale and motivation among Fire Rescue personnel, helping to ensure its members commitment to quality public service and career development.

Personnel Division responsibilities also include:

• Serving as the department's chief negotiator with union labor contracts
• Managing Worker's Compensation issues.
• Coordinating Fire Rescue's Health and Safety Committee, providing a forum for employees to present innovative methods for a safer work environment.
• United Way & Savings Bond Campaigns.
• Administering the Fire Rescue Awards programs for meritorious service.
• Developing interest in fire rescue careers for today's youth through our Diversity Recruitment Committee, emphasizing opportunities for minority and female applicants.

Interested in Employment with Hillsborough County Fire Rescue?

Applications are received and processed through Hillsborough County Civil Service.
Their website is: http://www.hccsb.org/

Hillsborough County Fire Rescue recruits new members at different position levels. These include Fire Medic, Fire Medic Trainee (Suppression) and Fire Medic Trainee (Rescue). In addition, the department has occasional openings for paramedics without fire certification or a requirement to obtain fire certification.

Fire Medic:
The Fire Medic position requires that the candidate has achieved Florida State certification as both a firefighter and a paramedic at the time of the application.

The Fire Medic Trainee (Suppression):
This position requires that the candidate has achieved Florida State certification as both a firefighter and an EMT at the time of the application. These candidates agree that if offered a position, to achieve Florida certification as a paramedic within two (2) years of the date of employment. When the Fire Medic Trainee achieves paramedic certification, they then are promoted to the Fire Medic position.

Fire Medic Trainee (Rescue):
This position requires that the candidate has achieved Florida State certification as a paramedic at the time of the application. These candidates agree that if offered a position, to achieve Florida certification as a firefighter within two (2) years of the date of employment. When the Fire Medic Trainee achieves paramedic certification, they then are promoted to the Fire Medic position.

Paramedic:
The paramedic position requires Florida certification as a paramedic at the time of application. This position is a non-firefighter position. There is very limited recruitment for this position which based on occasional department need.

Hillsborough County Fire Rescue Fire Medic Minimum Eligibility Standards
The below guidelines are designed to indicate automatic disqualification standards only.

I. Background Screening Form:
This is designed to provide sufficient information to conduct applicant background checks such as: state and national criminal history checks, driver's license record checks, employment verifications, educational verifications, certification verification and/or reference checks. Any omission of information or inaccurate information will be cause for disqualification.

II. Education:
Applicant must be a high school graduate or equivalent.

III. Work History:
Applicant will be disqualified if:

• Has been discharged or resigned to avoid discharge within the last 5 years for neglect of duties, violation of job safety standards, violation of rules or standards regarding conduct toward the public or violation of rules and standards governing punctuality and dependability.
• Has been discharged or resigned to avoid discharge within the last 5 years for inability to meet performance/training standards in a similar kind of work.
• Applicants work record, including but not limited to: number and type of positions held; disciplinary actions or suspensions; reason for any separations; and duration of unemployment; indicates that he/she would be a poor employment risk.
• While employed as a firefighter and/or paramedic, applicant appropriated money, property or evidence for personal use or purpose.
• Applicant omitted from the applicant any material employment information

IV. Driving Record:
Applicant will be disqualified for traffic convictions as below:

A. One (1) conviction within 5 years prior to the date of employment of any of the following:

1. Voluntary and Involuntary manslaughter resulting from the operation of a motor vehicle
2. Failing to stop and render aid, as required under any applicable State or Federal law, in the event of a motor vehicle accident resulting in the death or personal injury of another
3. Attempting to elude police

B. One (1) conviction within 3 years prior to the date of employment of any of the following:

• Driving a motor vehicle or being in actual physical control while having an unlawful blood alcohol level or while being under the influence of alcoholic beverages or any other illegal substances controlled under any State or Federal law
• Reckless driving
• Driver license suspension for failure to submit to a chemical test for impairment (either breathalyzer or blood test)

C. One (1) conviction within 3 years prior the date of employment of any of the following:

1. Driving a motor vehicle while the driver's license is suspended or revoked for reason's other than financial responsibility (ie insurance proof requirement)
2. Leaving the scene of an accident resulting in property damage of more than $50
3. Unlawful speeding resulting in an accident

D. Suspended driver's license within 2 years prior to the date of employment due to:

1. Failure to attend court ordered driving schools
2. Failure to pay two or more traffic fines. The circumstances resulting in the non-payment of only one traffic fine will be evaluated on a individual basis and may or may not disqualify the applicant
3. Financial responsibility suspensions (ie insurance proof requirement) will be evaluated on an individual basis and may or may not disqualify the applicant

E. Traffic conviction record in which the accumulation of points resulted in the suspension of a driver's license within 4 years prior to the date of employment

F. Seven (7) points or greater within 2 years prior to the date of employment

G. Any two (2) convictions for driving under the influence of alcohol or a controlled substance.

V. Criminal Conduct
Applicant will be disqualified if:

1. Applicant has been convicted of, pled nolo contendere to, or had adjudication withheld for any charge of a felony crime within 10 years prior to the date of employment
2. Applicant has been convicted of, pled nolo contendere to, or had adjudication withheld for a misdemeanor offense AND it has not been 3 years since the expiration of sentence
3. Applicant is currently on probation following any criminal conviction
4. Applicant has any pending felony or misdemeanor charges
5. Arrest records will be reviewed on an individual basis and disqualifications may be considered due to the number of instances and totality of circumstance

VI. Controlled Substance / Drug�Use
Applicant will be disqualified if he/she has been involved with drugs under any of the following conditions:

1. Used or possessed, within the last 5 years prior to the date of employment, any controlled substance defined as a violation under Chapter 893, Florida Statutes, the possession of which constitutes a criminal offense under Florida law. Use or possession of such controlled substances more than 5 years ago may or may not disqualify the applicant depending on the totality of the circumstance
2. Any illegal sale, within 5 years from the date of employment, of a controlled substance to others whether for profit or not
3. Used, possessed, or sold any controlled substance after becoming a State of Florida certified firefighter, emt or paramedic or while employed (paid or volunteer) as a sworn firefighter

VII. Tobacco Use
Applicant must be a non-user of tobacco or tobacco products for at least one year immediately preceding employment. Applicants will sign a notarized document affirming non-use of tobacco products and will be screened for nicotine in the pre-employment physical process.

Applicants testing positive for tobacco use will not be eligible to be considered for employment for a minimum of one year from original testing date

VIII. False Information
Applicant will be disqualified if he/she is shown to have knowingly omitted material information or presented false oral or written information during his/her consideration for employment with Hillsborough County Fire Rescue.

XI. Character
Applicant must demonstrate excellent moral character with respect to sobriety, honesty, maturity, loyalty, trustworthiness, reliability, discretion and associates.

XII. Medical Examination
Applicant must pass a medical examination as administered by Hillsborough County Fire Rescue's designated physician or his/her designee.

Applicant may be required to submit to polygraph and/or psychological examination.

XIII. Task Readiness / Physical Agility
Applicants must successfully complete the Task Readiness physical agility exam. The test is designed to ensure individuals have the physical abilities to perform the duties of a FireMedic.

HCFR New Applicant Outline

Step 1�Candidate makes application with Civil Service for one of the below positions:

FireMedic 1 (Firefighter/Paramedic certified)
FireMedic Trainee-R (Paramedic certified/2 year requirement for Fire)
FireMedic Trainee-S (Firefighter/EMT certified/2 year requirement for Paramedic)
Paramedic Only (no desire or intention to become Fire Certified)�

Step 2�Written exam:�

2 hour time limit / maximum 100 multiple choice questions
FM 1 - Mosby Paramedic / IFSTA Manual / ACLS / CPR
FMT-R - Mosby Paramedic / ACLS / CPR
FMT-S - IFSTA Manual / Brady EMT / CPR
PM Only - Mosby Paramedic / ACLS / CPR

Step 3 Panel interview:
Committee style scripted interview based on the position applied for. The panel interview committee is selected to represent the Field Operations group and provide input from a diverse (rank, experience level etc.) potential peer group. There are generally 5 - 6 members of the panel interview committee.�

During this phase all candidates are fingerprinted and photographed in preparation for background investigation.

Step 4�Task Readiness (agility test):
See description (below)

During this phase the following are also obtained officially:

FBI/FDLE criminal history
Driver License history
Employer verification

Step 5 Fire Chief Interview:
A formal one on one interview with the Fire Chief

Step 6 Physical Exam:
NFPA 1582 compliant standard medical exam conducted by Department representative. In addition to this requirement HCFR also requires all candidates for employment to be free from the use of tobacco or tobacco products for one year preceding employment in accordance to NFPA 1582 and F.S. 633�

Step 7 Drug Screen:�
Conducted by Departmental representative within 16 days of employment as required by Hillsborough County policy.

Task Readiness/ Physical Agility

• A complete walk-through will be conducted before the event begins.
• Part "B" of the exercise is a single exercise (see description) while the remaining five (5) components of Part "A" have an aggregate time frame for successful completion.
• The maximum allotted time allowed for Part "A" is 7 minutes
• The maximum allotted time allowed for Part "B" is 5 minutes
• The SCBA (backpack portion or weighted vest) will be worn by participant throughout this entire event.
• This event is conducted at Fire Station #7 located at 122 W. Bloomingdale Avenue Brandon FL 33511
• Parking instructions and proper attire will be provided when you are notified of appointment schedule and time.
• You are encouraged to bring your own fire helmet and fire gloves. Loaners will be available should you not have them.
  

Task Readiness Components

PART "A" Exercise 1 - 28' Ladder Raise
Description - Raising and lowering an extension ladder A 28' ladder will be on the ground with the fly section up. The ladder is mounted to the ground to simulate footing by a second person. The participant will raise the ladder to the building. The participant will fully extend and retract the fly using the hand over hand method. The ladder will be returned to its original position on the ground.

Exercise 2 - Reposition uncharged hose line
Description - The participant will place the 1 �" pre-flaked uncharged hose line over their shoulder or across their chest (within 8' of the nozzle) and advance the hose 75' to a pre-positioned drum where the participant will stay within a 7 square -foot marked area and make a 90 degree turn around the drum and proceed 25' to a 5' x 7' marked area. While within this area, with at least one knee on the ground, the participant will pull the hose toward themselves until the coupling or the 50' mark reaches their location.

Exercise 3 - Equipment Carry
Description- The participant will remove two (2) simulated power tools (weight approx. 25lbs each) from a shelf and place them on the ground one at a time. The participant will then pick up both items, one in each hand, and transport the equipment from a starting point 75 feet to and around a drum and back to the starting point. The participant may stop and place the tools on the ground to adjust their grip, however, dropping of the tools is not acceptable.

Exercise 4 - Interior Hose Carry
Description- The participant will pick up a 50' section of 2 �" hose that is accordion folded and places it on their shoulder. They will carry it to the third (3) floor via the interior stairwell. Upon reaching the third floor the participant will place down the hose and pick up an identical section of hose. The participant will place the hose on their shoulder and return to the first (1) floor starting position and lay it down to complete this evolution.

Exercise 5 - Rescue Dummy Drag
Description - The participant will drag a 165 lbs dummy 40' to designated end point.

PART "B"

Maze Drill -
Description- Candidate will crawl thru a darkened maze. This exercise simulates working in a confined, dark space.