Lateral - Firefighter Paramedic

Position Description

The City of Tacoma is seeking Lateral Firefighter-Paramedics to join the Tacoma Fire Department. In this vital role, you will help protect lives, property, and the environment while serving the community with professionalism, integrity, and compassion. This position is represented by Tacoma Firefighters Union Local 31.

Tacoma Fire is looking for experienced and motivated professionals who are ready to make an immediate impact in a dynamic and diverse community. As a Firefighter-Paramedic, you will respond to a wide variety of emergency situations-delivering advanced medical care, performing fire suppression and rescue operations, and supporting your fellow community members when they need it most.

Joining Tacoma Fire means becoming part of a department that values excellence, service, and innovation. Your experience will be recognized from day one and rewarded with competitive pay, excellent benefits, ongoing professional development, and a supportive team culture.

If you are passionate about helping others, committed to your craft, and ready to make a difference in a city that values its first responders, Tacoma is the place to build your career and your future.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide Advanced Emergency Medical Care: Deliver high-quality pre-hospital treatment, including patient assessment, advanced life support procedures, resuscitation, IV therapy, medication administration, and operation of life-support equipment such as IV pumps and ventilators.
• Respond to Fire and Rescue Incidents: Perform firefighting, rescue, and hazardous-materials response operations; conduct search and rescue activities; protect lives, property, and the environment using tools, techniques, and safety procedures.
• Operate and Maintain Equipment: Drive, operate, and maintain emergency vehicles, and firefighting tools; ensure all equipment is inspected, serviced, and mission-ready.
• Leadership and Mentorship: Provide direction and on-scene guidance to Firefighter/EMTs; foster teamwork and effective communication during emergency and non-emergency operations.
• Training and Professional Development: Participate in ongoing training, drills, and educational activities to maintain and enhance firefighting, rescue, and medical skills; stay current with evolving medical standards and departmental protocols.
• Documentation and Reporting: Accurately complete and maintain records, reports, and logs related to medical incidents, fire responses, and equipment maintenance in accordance with department and state requirements.
• Physical Readiness and Safety: Maintain the physical conditioning and situational awareness required to safely and effectively perform the duties of a Firefighter-Paramedic under demanding conditions.

Qualifications

Candidates must meet the following requirements before appointment to the position of Lateral Firefighter-Paramedic:

• Age: Must be at least 18 years of age at the time of appointment.
• Education: High school diploma or equivalent (GED).
• Employment Status: Currently employed as a full-time, paid professional firefighter in good standing.
• Paramedic Certification: Current certification as a Paramedic through the National Registry or another state.
• Washington State Credentialing: Must possess or be eligible for Washington State Paramedic certification or reciprocity through the DOH. This includes being a graduate of a CAAHEP (Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs) accredited paramedic program.
• Physical Ability: Possess a valid Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT) certification at the time of hire, or obtain certification within the first month of employment.
• Driver’s License: Maintain a valid driver’s license at the time of appointment with the ability to obtain a Washington State driver’s license upon hire.
• Tobacco Use: Must have abstained from the use of tobacco or nicotine products for a minimum of two years prior to appointment.
• Firefighter Experience: Experience as a career structural firefighter performing fire suppression, rescue, and emergency medical response duties.
• Training: Completion of a recognized career Fire Academy program and possession of relevant certifications such as Firefighter I & II and Hazardous Materials Awareness and Operations (IFSAC, Pro Board, or equivalent).

Knowledge & Skills

• Advanced proficiency in pre-hospital emergency medical care, including patient assessment, airway management, resuscitation, medication administration, and other paramedic-level procedures.
• Skilled in the operation and maintenance of fire suppression apparatus, rescue tools, and life-safety equipment.
• Strong understanding of fire behavior, suppression tactics, hazardous materials response, and technical rescue operations.
• Strong communication, teamwork, and leadership skills in high-pressure or rapidly changing environments.
• Ability to effectively manage emergency scenes and ensure safe, coordinated operations.
• Strong analytical, written, and verbal communication skills, including accurate documentation and record-keeping.
• Physical and mental resilience to perform demanding tasks in a variety of environments while upholding safety, professionalism, and teamwork.
• Interest or experience in quality improvement, instruction, and mentoring within EMS or fire service programs.

Selection Process & Supplemental Information

Compensation & Benefits

Pay Details:

Hourly Rate: $53.48 - $56.15

Annual Salary: $128,202.26 - $134,602.78

Employee Benefits | City of Tacoma

About the Tacoma Fire Department

The Tacoma Fire Department (TFD) has served the City of Tacoma since 1880, evolving from early volunteer bucket brigades and horse-drawn wagons into a modern, professional fire and EMS organization. TFD’s mission is “to protect people, property, and the environment, and professionally and compassionately serve the community.”

EMS & Community Response Legacy

• TFD has delivered Advanced Life Support (ALS) services for decades. The first group of firefighter/paramedics trained in 1973.
• In 1991 TFD began routinely transporting patients, and by 1994 began its own CAAHEP accredited in-house paramedic training program that is still producing the highest quality of paramedics in the nation.
• Beyond 911 emergency responses, TFD launched the CARES (Community Assistance Referral & Education Service) program - a non-emergency outreach initiative beginning in 2012 to support individuals who frequently call EMS and link them with appropriate care.
• In 2025, TFD, in collaboration with other agencies launched a whole blood program which is projected to save over 100 lives this year alone.

View this video to learn more about the Tacoma Fire Department and this hiring opportunity: Lateral Paramedics - Now Hiring!

City of Tacoma’s Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

At the City of Tacoma, we're on a mission to make our workforce as diverse and inclusive as the community we serve. We're committed to eliminating racial and other disparities, and we actively seek out candidates from a wide range of backgrounds and cultures. Join our team at the City of Tacoma and help us build a more vibrant, inclusive, and equitable community for all.

The City of Tacoma believes that diversity of thought, background, and experience contributes to our success and innovation. If you’re passionate about this role and our mission, we encourage you to apply. If you have a less traditional background, we want to hear about your transferrable skills and experience. We value a variety of perspectives and are excited to see what you bring to the table.

The Community

Tacoma is centrally located just 32 miles south of the city of Seattle and 31 miles north of the state capital, Olympia. The City of Tacoma is also home to the Port of Tacoma, which is among the largest container ports in the United States. Like most cities in the northwest, Tacoma is surrounded by beautiful nature, offering residents many opportunities for outdoor adventures.

Largely suburban in nature with a small, but dense, urban core, Tacoma is home to numerous institutes of higher learning that attract students from across the country. The University of Washington Tacoma, Pacific Lutheran University, University of Puget Sound, a satellite campus of the Evergreen State College, three community/technical colleges, and several trade and business schools are within Tacoma's geographic area. Downtown's Cultural District is the site of the Washington State History Museum, Museum of Glass, the Tacoma Art Museum, and America's Car Museum.

With its affordable housing and distinctive neighborhoods and business districts, the city has been recognized numerous times as a best city to live in the nation. To see a few of the great things Tacoma has to offer, view this YouTube Video!

View this exciting video to learn more about the City of Tacoma:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2n5MWl8KFvI

Additional Information

• It is anticipated that approximately 6-10 positions will be filled.
• Lateral Firefighter/Paramedics will be required to successfully complete an accelerated Recruit Academy designed to reinforce core competencies in both paramedicine and firefighting.
• There will be two lateral firefighter-paramedic orientation sessions during the application period that will allow candidates the opportunities to ask further questions about the testing process, probation, operations, and the department. Dates to be determined.

Application Process

Interested individuals should apply online by completing the application and attaching a resume and cover letter by the closing date and time listed on the job announcement. Applications received without attaching the required materials may not progress in the selection process.

Candidates who are eligible for Veteran's Preference scoring criteria must attach a copy of their DD-214 member copy 4, (proof of military discharge form) at time of application to be eligible for review for Veteran's Preference points.

Get Assistance

For assistance with the application process or questions regarding this job announcement please contact the Human Resources office at (253) 591-5400 by 4:00 p.m. of the closing date of the job announcement.

For technical difficulties using the NEOGOV system, call the applicant support line at 1-855-524-5627 between 6:00a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Pacific Standard Time. This will allow us to assist you before the job announcement closes.

Communication with the City of Tacoma

We primarily communicate via email during the application process. Emails from Tacoma.gov and/or governmentjobs.com should be placed on your safe domain list to ensure that you receive notifications in a timely manner. As a precaution, you may also want to check your junk email folders.

The City of Tacoma provides excellent medical, dental and vision plans for the whole family; paid holidays and paid leave; participation in the Tacoma Employees' Retirement System (alternate plan for Police/Fire); continuing education and advancement opportunities and a growing variety of City-sponsored health and wellness opportunities and incentives.

Medical Coverage: For eligible employees and their families, including domestic partners and dependent children age26 or younger.

Dental Coverage: For eligible employees and their families, including domestic partners and dependent children age26 or younger.

Vision Coverage: For eligible employees and their eligible dependents.

Paid Leave: City employees are entitled to received paid holidays, sick/vacation leave or personal time off (PTO), depending upon union affiliation and appointment type.

Insurance Plans: Employees are covered by a long-term disability plan. Short-term and expanded long-term disability insurance plans are also available to employees. The State Industrial Insurance Act also covers employees.

Deferred Compensation: Income can be set aside on a pretax basis and invested for supplementation of normal retirement income.

Retirement: All employees of the City, except members of the Police and Fire services, Tacoma Rail and certain project employees, are included in the Tacoma Employees' Retirement System. Information on the Tacoma Employees' Retirement System can be found at www.cityoftacoma.org or by calling (253) 502-8200.

Other Employment Information

Direct Deposit: Employees are paid on a bi-weekly schedule by direct deposit.

Salary Increases: Based on satisfactory job performance, the City provides for a regular progression of salary increases for most classifications according to the salary schedule.

Union Affiliation: Many job classifications are covered by union security provisions which require union membership, dues, or payment of equivalent service fees.

Note: The provisions of this job announcement do not constitute an expressed or implied contract. Any provision contained herein may be modified and/or revoked without notice.

Closing Date/Time: 12/31/2025 5:00 PM Pacific

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• City of Tacoma

• 253-591-5400

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