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Paramedic (not fireline qualified)

Position Description

The Paramedic provides emergency medical services (EMS) at the medical unit and/or other incident locations as requested by the Incident commander or representative.

Introduction

The Paramedics primary focus is to provide advanced emergency medical care for injured and sick persons.  The position has the knowledge associated with, and is expected to be competent in all of the skills of the EMT, and AEMT.  A Paramedic completes a more thorough course of education, which in some states requires the completion of an Associate’s degree.  The paramedic has an in-depth understanding of human anatomy, physiology and pathophysiology which allows them to perform more advanced skills and a broader spectrum of medications than either an EMT or AEMT.  These skills carry a greater risk for the patient if improperly or inappropriately performed, are more difficult to attain and maintain competency in, and require significant background knowledge in basic and applied sciences.

While all Paramedics receive essentially the same training, the specific procedures that each individual Paramedic is authorized to perform varies depending on the Paramedic’s scope of practice.  A Paramedic’s scope of practice contains only those procedures for which he or she is educated, certified (by passing an exam), credentialed (medical director grants “permission” to practice), and licensed by a state to perform.  Therefore, the scope of practice of a Paramedic will vary by individual.

Skills, Knowledge, and Abilities

The following are the minimum psychomotor skills of the Paramedic:

  • Airway and Breathing
    • Performs endotracheal intubation
    • Performs percutaneous (not to include ‘surgical’ access using a scalpel) cricothyrotomy
    • Decompresses the pleural space of the chest cavity
    • Performs gastric decompression
    • Monitors and interprets Patient oxygen and carbon dioxide levels
  • Pharmacological interventions include
    • Inserts an intraosseous (IO) cannula
    • Enteral and parenteral administration of approved prescription medications
    • Accesses indwelling catheters and implanted central IV ports for fluid and medication administration
    • Administers medications by intravenous (IV), intraosseous, intramuscular, intranasal, sublingual, and subcutaneous routes
    • Maintains an infusion of blood or blood products
  • Medical/Cardiac Care
    • Performs cardioversion, manual defibrillation, and transcutaneous packing
    • Performs and interprets the results of Electrocardiogram (EKG) including 12-lead

Position Knowledge and/or Requirements

  • Current Paramedic license (must be issued by the Paramedic’s home-state EMS licensing authority)
  • Introduction to ICS (I-100)
  • NIMS:  An Introduction (IS-700)
  • No physical fitness level has been established for this position

Other Training Supporting Development of Knowledge and Skills

  • Firefighter Training (S-130)
  • Annual Fireline Safety Refresher (RT-130)
  • Introduction to Wildland Fire (S-190)
  • Human Factors in the Wildland Fire Service (L-180)
  • Intermediate Wildland Fire Behavior (S-290)
  • Basic Air Operations (S-270)
  • Helicopter Crewmember (S-271)
  • Advanced Cardiac Life Support (if not required for state/agency licensure)

 

NWCG Latest Announcements

NEW! Air Operations Summary (ICS 220 WF) Now Available

Date: May 2, 2025
Questions?  Please contact:
National Interagency Aviation Committee

The Air Operations Summary (ICS 220 WF) provides the Air Operations Branch with the number, type, location, and specific assignments of helicopters and air resources. The new ICS 220 WF also includes medical extraction capabilities and air resources tracking.

Understanding the capabilities of aviation assets is critical for effective medical and extraction responses. Coordination with the Medical Unit Leader is essential to ensure alignment and consistency between the ICS 220 WF and the Medical Plan (ICS 206 WF). 

References:

Air Operations Summary (ICS 220 WF)

National Interagency Aviation Committee

Incident Command System (ICS) Forms

Incident Position Standards and Next Generation Position Task Book Available for Firing Boss, Single Resource

Date: April 30, 2025
Questions?  Please contact:
Fuels Management Committee

NWCG is excited to announce that the NWCG Incident Position Standards for Firing Boss, Single Resource, PMS 350-105, and the NWCG Position Task Book for Firing Boss, Single Resource (FIRB), PMS 311-105, are now available. 

These resources, part of the Performance Support Package developed through the Incident Performance and Training Modernization (IPTM) effort, support trainees, qualified personnel, and evaluators. 

Any changes to qualification pathways will take effect with the next update of the NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Position Qualifications, PMS 310-1.

 

References:

NWCG Firing Boss, Single Resource Position Page

NWCG Incident Position Standards for Firing Boss, Single Resource, PMS 350-105

NWCG Position Task Book for Firing Boss, Single Resource (FIRB), PMS 311-105

Incident Position Standards and Next Generation Position Task Book Available for Helicopter Crewmember

Date: April 28, 2025
Questions?  Please contact:
Interagency Helicopter Operations Subcommittee

NWCG is excited to announce that the NWCG Incident Position Standards for Helicopter Crewmember, PMS 350-22, and the NWCG Position Task Book for Helicopter Crewmember (HECM), PMS 311-22, are now available.

These resources, part of the Performance Support Package developed through the Incident Performance and Training Modernization (IPTM) effort, support trainees, qualified personnel, and evaluators.

Any changes to qualification pathways will take effect with the next update of the NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Position Qualifications, PMS 310-1.

References:

NWCG Incident Position Standards for Helicopter Crewmember, PMS 350-22

NWCG Incident Position Standards for Helicopter Crewmember, PMS 350-22

NWCG Position Task Book for Helicopter Crewmember (HECM), PMS 311-22

Updated NWCG Standards for Fire Unmanned Aircraft Systems Operations, PMS 515

Date: April 23, 2025
Questions?  Please contact:
Interagency Fire Unmanned Aircraft Systems Subcommittee

The NWCG Standards for Fire Unmanned Aircraft Systems Operations, PMS 515 standardizes processes and procedures for the interagency use of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS), including pilot inspections and approvals. This updated publication provides the aviation community with standards to ensure UAS are used safely, effectively, and efficiently in support of fire management goals and objectives.

References:

NWCG Standards for Fire Unmanned Aircraft Systems Operations, PMS 515

NWCG National Interagency Aviation Committee