Internship Description and Duties
“Firefighter / Paramedic Educational Opportunity”
If you are interested in becoming a Firefighter / Paramedic, the Oregon Area Fire/EMS District is offering one of the best opportunities to do so.
As it becomes harder to get a career position in the fire service, having not only Fire Fighting skills, but also EMS skills, becomes crucial.
The Oregon Area Fire/EMS District offers the opportunity to become a well rounded Firefighter and EMT-P through education and experience.
3 year Internship Program earning, but not limited to:
Associate Degree in Fire Service
National Registry Certified Basic Emergency Medical Technician Paramedic Level
3 years worth of Knowledge and Experience with the help of Full-Time and Paid on Call Staff
Other opportunities of Education Regarding Fire and EMS including but not limited to classes, seminars and other educational opportunities.
Interns are provided with:
Living quarters at the fire station
Paramedic training paid in full
State Certified Firefighter I & II, Driver Operator, and Fire Inspector paid in full.
A monthly Stipend
Internship Requirements:
High School Diploma & Transcripts (excellent grades)
Physically able to perform the job duties
Medical evaluation by MD
Campus Reading placement Test
Oral Interview with panel
Three Interns are selected every year for the educational opportunity.
Application deadline is February 29, 2008 - 5:00 p.m.
For an application contact:
Oregon Area Fire/EMS DistrictAttn: Captain Gene Berman 131 Spring St. Oregon, WI 53575(608) 835-5587
The Purpose of the Oregon Area Fire/EMS District Intern Program is:
To provide career firefighting responsibilities and experience to selected Madison Area Technical College students.
Selection of Interns
The Chief of the Oregon Area Fire/EMS District (OAFED) or his/her designees will select students for the intern program.
The following are the criteria that will be used to select candidates.
1. Candidates must thoroughly complete all application materials by the established deadline. Applications must be postmarked or received at the OAFED station on or before the established deadline.
2. Candidates must successfully pass on oral interview as well as participate in physical skill stations in front of a panel of OAFED personnel. The Chief or designee will select the panel.
3. Candidates must pass a thorough background investigation. This will consist of, but not limited to, contacting previous employers, contacting references, and a driving record check. Candidates will sign a form authorizing a release of information.
4. Candidates must be able to meet all of the physical requirements specified by the OAFED. Candidates may be subject to a physical examination or have the results of a current physical examination available for inspection.
5. Candidates must get licensed as a Wisconsin EMT-Basic level or higher. This must be completed by September 1st of year candidates are selected or result in termination from the intern position.
6. Candidates will take a written exam such as the Compass Test or its equivalent prior to assignment.
Expectation for Participation
1. The intern must complete the MATC Fire Protection Technician program with in two years.
2. The intern will maintain a 3.0 grade point average in core classes, and a 2.5 overall grade point average.
3. The intern will be required to successfully complete the training requirements as provided by the OAFED.
4. The intern will complete station duties, truck inspections and other duties assigned.
Provision of the Intern
1. Assigned room/bed to be used.
2. Storage area for personal articles and clothing.
3. Access to washer and dryer.
4. Firefighter turnout gear.
5. Four-duty shirts and two sweatshirts.
6. All OAFED members are covered by workers compensation and an additional accident and sickness insurance policy the District carries for members.
7. Compensation in the amount of $150 every four-week pay period.
8. Tuition reimbursement of $500 a semester if GPA in core classes is a 3.0 or higher and 2.5 or higher in non-core classes of the Fire Associate Degree Program.
9. Two polo shirts and one fleece shirt, which are required for the Associate Degree Program will be provided.
10. Paramedic education is paid in full.
11. Interns will be given 48 hours of vacation time at the beginning of the Internship program and a base of 48 hours each year on their anniversary date. Interns will be given additional vacation hours based on their fall and spring semester GPA. The GPA scale is as follows: 0-2.49 GPA = 0 hours, 2.5 GPA = 48 hours, 2.6-3.5 GPA = 72 hours, 3.6-4.0 GPA = 96 hours. Interns are not allowed to take more then two vacation days in a month with out prior approval from the Chief of the department.
12. When the intern becomes checked off as an Emergency Vehicle Operator they will be allowed to fill in hours as the driver on the ambulance on their off duty shift and will be compensated for it as is applicable to the members of the OAFED. When the intern is trained and certified as a WI Motor Pump Operator they will be able to get check off to drive and pump the pumpers and tanker. Once the intern becomes certified as an EMT the same stipulation applies.
13. When the intern is working an assigned intern shift and responds to an emergency incident the intern will be compensated the same hourly rate as the paid-on-call members during the emergency response.
14. If the intern leaves or is dismissed within the first year of the intern program, she or he will reimburse 100% of the cost of the course of study they are in (i.e.; EMT class, IV Tech, Paramedic, etc.), second year 100% of the cost will be reimbursed to the OAFED, and third year 50% reimbursement to OAFED.
Intern Responsibilities
1. Payment of the two-year Fire Science Degree Program
2. Black shoes/boots and socks to be worn with uniform.
3. Navy blue pants, black belt for uniform.
4. If District property gets damaged by miss-use or by horseplay the Intern is responsible for replacement cost.<
Intern Expectations
1. Interns must be at the fire station no later than 5:30 AM the day of their scheduled shift.
2. If an intern gets a job outside of the OAFED that is not pre-approved by the chief of the Dept., the intern will be required to reimburse the OAFE Dept. $300.00 per month for housing as long as they hold that job.
3. Beds are to be made by the intern on shift before their shift begins.
4. The intern's appearance is considered a reflection of the level of professionalism and dedication to the department. The intern is to pay attention to basic hygiene. Facial hair must comply with NFPA 1500 and hair length for both males and females are discretion of Chief of department. Full uniform will be worn during the duty shift day. Casual clothing will be allowed after 2000 hours of the duty shift but the Intern must be in uniform for all incident responses after 2000 hours.
5. The intern is to awaken, shower and dress for the day prior to shift beginning and report to their respective OIC’s office.
6. Clothing is to be stored on hangers, in a dresser, or in clothes bags. Piles of clothing will not be tolerated. Rooms will be randomly inspected weekly.
7. All duties are to be completed on time.
8. The intern will attend all Tuesday’s trainings for Fire and EMS.
9. The intern’s actions and the actions of their visitors reflect upon the department. Interns are responsible of the actions of their visitors. Visiting hours are limited to 1000-2200 hours. This does not mean the entire time frame; it will be at the Duty OIC’s discretion. There will be no visitors in the intern’s bedrooms other than for a “tour”. The Chief of the Department or the OIC will grant exceptions.
10. The intern is responsible for their long distance phone calls. The intern should use calling cards or personal cell phones. Calls billed to the department will not be tolerated. The use of the business phone will be permitted. However, phone use must be regulated so there is at least one business line open for department business.
11. At NO TIME are interns allowed to store or possess alcohol, non-prescription drugs, firearms, ammunition, or anything else deemed dangerous by the Chief, in the station. If the intern is found to have violated the above, they could be dismissed from the intern program at the discretion of the Chief.
12. The intern shall decline any offers of wild land firefighting while they are in the intern program. This is due to availability and insurance reasons.
13. Employment outside the intern program is not desirable. Any part time jobs outside of the program must have the approval of the Chief.
14. Shift hours are 0600 to 0600.
15. All other interns will be courteous to an intern that is sleeping. The interns shall conduct themselves in an orderly and respectable manner and behave in a way that brings credit to the department. Interns shall treat others with respect and refrain from the use of abusive derogatory or foul language both in the station and public view.
16. No horseplay is permitted at any time in the station. If any OAFED property is damaged, the intern is responsible for fixing that property to equal or better standards or replacing it. This will be done with their own funds, not funds from the department, and on their own time.
17. Interns need to establish an e-mail account. Interns are expected to read any memos or e-mails for notification of special events, notices, and changes in policy and/or procedures.
19. The intern shall follow the OAFED Policies and Procedures set forth by the department.
20. Quarterly grades are to be provided to the officer in charge of the Intern Program as soon as they are available to the intern. If this does not get completed further discipline will be involved. The grades will be evaluated and will be filed into the personnel file of the intern. If grades have not been supplied to the OAFED by the start of the next semester, the intern will be removed from the Intern Program.
21. If an intern is ill and needs and/or seeks medical attention, they are required to let the Chief of the department know if they will be under the influence of any prescribed medications for safety reasons.
22. If the intern is aware of scheduled personal functions requiring a schedule change or time-off, they will be required to hand in shift change requests as soon as they know of the event.
23. Trades must be submitted 24 hours prior to the actual trade. Vacations must be requested two weeks prior to the actual vacation. Excessive trading of Duty Shifts will not be tolerated. The Chief will give verbal warnings when it has been determined that the trading has become excessive. Trades need to be submitted in writing and approved by the Officer in Change of the Intern Program, the Chief or designee.
24. Cell phones are not permitted during emergency calls and training. While on duty, cell phone use should be limited.
Daily Duties
The on duty intern is responsible for the cleaning and the presentation of the station and its equipment during their assigned shift along with the full-time shift officer.
If all duties are completed by 1800 and the OIC does not have additional assignments for the intern, the intern may then have personal time, until the 2200 walk-around to make sure doors are locked and station is presentable.
Casual clothing will be allowed during a Duty Shift after 2000 hours. The on-duty interns should not use the intern dorm rooms for naps during the duty shift 0600 – 2000 hours unless approved by the on-duty OIC.
The on-duty interns will be allowed to use their dorm rooms for studying and other approved uses to be determined by the on-duty OIC.
The on-duty intern should keep the dorm room door open unless they need privacy for changing clothes.
For each shift day, the intern will complete tasks as listed on sheet specific for each day. Sheets are to be signed by OIC after observation of completion of duties by intern.
Chain of Command
The OAFED Chief is ultimately responsible for the intern program. The Officer in Charge of the program will be the person the intern reports to if it is NOT a daily issue or task to deal with.
The on-duty OIC will be responsible for the intern when they are on duty. The intern will be responsible to follow the chain of command as all other members of the department.
The full time officer they are assigned to will monitor their progress and report it up the chain of command as needed. This would include station duties and truck check duties.
Discipline
This policy is in place to have a course of action in the event responsibilities of the intern are not met.
The choice is available to the intern not to fulfill any of the daily, weekly or other responsibilities, but, upon the decision by the intern not to complete assigned duties, corrective action will result.
The intern committee will decide disciplinary action. The OAFED Chief has the option of terminating the Student Firefighter Intern Program at any time if he determines it is in the best interest of the OAFED.
Any intern who is in violation of the intern policy, or the policies and procedures of the OAFED, or in the Chief’s opinion, or be in possession of alcohol, drugs, firearms, ammunition, or anything else deemed dangerous by the Chief, will be dropped from the program immediately.
For all other issues not covered, the intern will go through three steps before they are dismissed from the program.
They are as follows:
1. The Captain in charge of the Intern Program will discuss the problem with the intern. This meeting will serve as notice that there is a problem with the intern’s performance. Corrective actions will be discussed and the intern shall abide by the Captain’s instructions.
2. If the problem is not resolved in Step 1 or there is a continuance of various other problems, the intern committee will meet. The Intern will have the opportunity to explain or respond to the situation. The committee, after hearing both sides, will return with a course of action for the intern to follow. The committee will also reconvene at an agreed upon time to evaluate whether the instructions are being followed as expected. After the second evaluation, a recommendation to the Chief will be made whether to retain or dismiss the intern.
3. If the committee should recommend dismissal is in order, the Chief will dismiss the intern. This dismissal will be effective immediately.
Oregon Area Fire/EMS District 