Are you looking for your career or destination department? If so, then the Novato Fire Protection District may be the department for you. The Novato Fire Protection District plans to hire Lateral Firefighter Paramedics, and we would like you to be part of our team.
The Novato Fire Protection District salary and benefits package is very competitive with other agencies. I encourage you to review our Salary and Benefits when you are comparing us with other organizations. Novato is a wonderful community to live and raise a family but if you are looking for more affordability or your own piece of land, you can be assured that you will find affordable housing or property within a 2-hour drive and easy commute for a Firefighter/Paramedic working a 56-hour week.
We offer an excellent work environment and state of the art equipment, facilities and personal protective equipment. We value and support the training and education of our personnel and with the support of the Novato Professional Firefighters’ Association, have developed a Career Development Guide so that our personnel can increase their responsibility, authority, earn higher salaries and ultimately grow to their full potential.
Our call volume is moderate for a department our size, leaving ample time for training in the many facets that make emergency services an exciting career, including: EMS; Structure and Wildland Fire Suppression; Public Education; Fire Prevention; Disaster Preparedness; Hazardous Materials; Rescue Systems; Water Rescue; Confined Space; and more. Our response area is a combination of urban, sub-urban and rural. We have a very significant wildland interface area and often use CDF aircraft and other resources to assist in combating wildland fires. Members of our department participate on the Marin County Urban Search and Rescue Team, the Marin County Hazardous Materials Response Team, the Marin County Arson Task Force and are members of State and Federal Major Incident Management Teams.
The District has an excellent reputation in the community as well as the fire service in general. In 2002 our citizens approved an increase to our Fire/EMS special tax with a 72% vote of support. Our well-trained and professional personnel consistently receive letters of commendation from the community regarding the outstanding services that they provide.
As an organization created to serve the public, we have developed a strong focus on customer service by empowering our personnel with the tools to always do what’s best for our citizens. Our mission is “To Care For, Protect, and Serve the Community” and we take our mission very seriously.
If you are looking for more than a job, consider a career with the Novato Fire Protection District. The standards are high and the work is challenging and although this job may not be for everyone, it may be for you.
To request a recruitment packet and video or to take advantage of our Ride-Along Program please gives us a call at 415-878-2690.
Living and Working Conditions
Firefighters' work shifts begin at 07:30 am to 07:30 am on a 2 X 4 schedule. The Fire District is organized into three shifts: A shift, B shift and C shift. This rotating shift schedule repeats itself indefinitely. The firefighters shift schedule is not affected by holidays. If a firefighter’s shift falls on a holiday, they are expected to work.
Firefighters may also either volunteer for, or be required to work additional "overtime" shifts so that the District may meet its full staffing.
Firefighters may be called back to work during unusual and/or catastrophic events such as major fires, earthquakes, floods or other disasters. Novato Fire District personnel often respond to fires and other incidents throughout the State of California under one of the States Mutual Aid Plans. It is not unusual to send Novato Firefighters and equipment as far south as Los Angles or as far north as Oregon.
Firefighting continues to be a dangerous occupation. On an average the United States loses 100 firefighters to line of duty deaths each year. This does not include retired firefighters who develop cancer and other diseases as a result of their occupation.
Firefighters pay for their meals on-duty. They also assist in food shopping, meal preparation and clean-up. You may see them at the local grocery store or market near their station shopping for their evening meal.
The Novato Fire Stations are our firefighter’s home-away-from-home. Firefighters live and work together functioning as both a "family" and a TEAM! A typical day includes equipment maintenance, personal physical fitness, station maintenance, training, report writing, public education, fire prevention and emergency response. Sleep is allowed at night, however it can be frequently interrupted.
This all being said being a firefighter is a wonderful occupation often filled with excitement, sorrow and ultimately the reward of helping others in their time of need.
General Job Description
- Under general supervision, provides on-site care and treatment to persons in life-threatening medical situations in accordance with the policies established by the Department of Emergency Medical Services of Marin County; responds to medical emergencies; evaluates and treats emergency medical problems and performs the full range of first aid functions.
- Under general supervision, protects life and property, operates and maintains firefighting apparatus and equipment, and performs other duties as required.
- Successful candidates will be appointed to the position of Firefighter/Paramedic and will be expected to work in that position for a minimum of two years from the date of hire before being eligible for promotional opportunities.
Application Materials
The Novato Fire District is currently accepting applications for Lateral Firefighter/Paramedics. For other information call the District offices at (415) 878-2690.
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