Fire Dispatcher I

Fire Dispatcher I

The City of Anaheim seeks qualified Fire Dispatcher I candidates to experience the challenging and rewarding work of a joint powers authority fire dispatch center. The dispatch center, Metro Cities Fire Authority serves seven agencies in Orange County. Incumbents are responsible for performing a wide variety of routine to skilled dispatch activities. Fire Dispatchers will utilize a Computer Aided Dispatch system to receive, screen and respond to incoming emergency and non-emergency calls for fire medical assistance;

dispatch appropriate units and maintain necessary communication with units during their response to calls; and perform a variety of clerical, record keeping and general support duties related to communications activities. This classification must be able to work assigned shifts, including nights, weekends, holidays and overtime when needed. 5% differential to base pay for night shifts.

An ideal candidate will have:

• California P.O.S.T.
  
  -certified Public Safety Dispatchers' Basic Course Certificate.
• Current Emergency Medical Dispatcher (EMD) certification from the National Academies of Emergency Dispatch.
• Current Adult and Pediatric CPR/AED Certificate.
• The flexibility to respond to unexpected/emergency shifts within 60 minutes or a reasonable amount of time.
• Knowledge or entry level experience operating a computer terminal and office equipment.
• The ability to exercise good, independent judgment and make sound decisions in emergency situations.
• The ability to effectively communicate with and elicit information from distressed and irate callers and communicate emergency medical instructions.
• The ability to multitask.

The resulting eligible list may be used to fill current and future Part Time Fire Dispatcher I. The Part Time Fire Dispatcher I position is designated to average 30 hours per week with no minimum number of hours guaranteed. Please visit the following link for more information regarding part time benefits.

The following functions are typical for both classifications. Incumbents may not perform all of the listed functions and/or may be required to perform additional or different functions from those set forth below to address business needs and changing business practices.

Using a CAD system and a computerized emergency telephone system, receive emergency calls from the public requesting fire services; determine nature and location of emergency, determine priority and dispatch fire units as necessary and in accordance with established procedures. Using an 800 megahertz (MHz) radio system, maintain contact with all units on assignment; maintain status and location of additional fire units and dispatch as appropriate.

Answer non-emergency calls for assistance; dispatch as required. Test and inspect equipment as required. Perform a variety of record keeping, filing, indexing and other general clerical work. Perform duties and responsibilities as required.

Experience and Training:
An equivalent combination of experience and training sufficient to perform the essential job functions and provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying.

Ability to:
Learn to effectively operate a radio, telephone and computer-aided dispatch system; speak clearly and precisely; exercise good judgment; make sound decisions in emergency situations; effectively communicate with and elicit information from callers; identify geographic features and streets through the use of maps; learn department procedures and policies; operate keyboard and other office equipment quickly, accurately and, at times, concurrently; keyboard at a net-corrected minimum speed of 35 words per minute;

understand and follow oral and written instructions; learn a wide variety of classification codes and computer commands; spell accurately; maintain accurate and complete files and records, establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

Certification:
Possession of an Emergency Medical Dispatcher (EMD) certification from National Academies of Emergency Dispatch is highly desirable and a EMD certification is required by completion of probation.

Applications will be accepted until August 31, 2026 at 5:00 PM. Applicants are encouraged to apply early. Applications will not be accepted after this deadline.

Performance Exam
- The performance exam is a computer-based work simulation test that measures the general aptitudes needed to be a dispatcher. No prior dispatch experience is necessary to pass the test. For additional information regarding the performance exam review, please visit their website:
Criti Call Candidate Resources.

Performance Exam Waiver Request
- Criti Call exams taken with other agencies, including Anaheim Police Department (APD) will not be accepted. Criti Call modules can vary from agency to agency.

Performance Exam Scoring
- This is a pass/fail exam. The test module scores are weighted to account for correct responses to the decision-making scenario prompts. Applicants…