Reclassification to Paramedic Grade Levels

Section 1 - ADMINISTRATIVE

PURPOSE:

To state policy affecting the attainment of Paramedic Certification.

PROCEDURE:

• Each member hired on or after June 12, 2000 will be required by written agreement to possess or to attain Paramedic certification within two years of employment unless otherwise waived by the Fire Chief or his designee.
• Contingent upon an annual appropriation by the City Council of the budgeted funds, firefighter/EMTs will be able to select one of the following schools that currently have affiliation agreements:
  • Valencia Community College
  • Seminole State College
  • Lake Technical College
  • First Response Training Group.

As part of the affiliation agreement, Paramedic students can complete their clinical ride time with the Maitland Fire Department. Paramedic school scheduling allows for students to complete classes and assignments in a shift-friendly manner

• All of the required classes and their required texts along with tuition fees will be paid by the Department.
• All training/class request forms must be turned into Fire Administration no less than 30 days prior to the Paramedic school's class registration.
• At the end of each class the member must submit their grades to Fire Administration no more than five days after official release from the school. Any member not having a passing grade must retake the class at their own expense. The retaking of courses is at the discretion of Fire Administration.
• Each member must sign a waiver allowing the Paramedic school they attend to release progress reports and/or grades to Fire Administration upon request.
• If the member resigns their employment with the department, prior to the time it took them to complete formal Paramedic training, the member will be required to reimburse the department the cost of the Paramedic program.

Paramedic School Prerequisites

• Prior to starting Paramedic school, it is required that each EMT member must first successfully pass any prerequisite classes required by the school they attend.

Paramedic School

• At the completion of the Paramedic program the member must have their state paperwork into the state within 10 days of receiving it.
• The Department will pay for the first state test which shall be scheduled at the first available appointment through the State testing center. If the member does not receive a passing grade, additional tests will be at the members own expense (Department will determine the number of attempts acceptable before determining employment status).
• The Department will pay for a prep class prior to the member’s state exam.
• After reclassification, a Paramedic will remain in a probationary status as defined by Article 7 in the Maitland Professional Firefighters, Local 3590 Collective Bargaining Agreement..
• Once the member is an autonomous Paramedic it is the responsibility of the member to obtain the continuing education credits needed for recertification. The Department may pay fees associated with the recertification.