Fire Communications Officer - SR

Overview

Under direct supervision, receives formal and structured on-the-job training in the methods and procedures of emergency communication and dispatching operations including call taking and dispatching Fire and Emergency Medical Services (EMS) personnel and equipment, Hazardous Materials, and Search and Rescue operations, utilizing a specialized workstation of emergency 911 communications equipment and a Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) system in a central fire communications operation.

The Fire Communication Officer I receives training to make critical response decisions while communicating emergency and non-emergency information from citizens and emergency responders, and to provide callers with life-saving medical and safety instructions. Employees are expected to work with increasing independence under general supervision. Work is performed in accordance with written policies and procedures. All voice and data entry is recorded and subject to live monitoring.

After successful completion of training and satisfactory performance, employees may be released to independent status and promoted to Fire Communication Officer II.

Special working conditions include twenty-four hour, seven-day-a-week operations with rotating shift assignments, weekend and holiday work, and overtime as required.

• Receives formal and on-the-job training on the basic functions and missions of the Hawai’i County Fire Department and fire and EMS communications operations.
• Actively participates in a Call Taker and Dispatcher Training Program under direct supervision to perform the full range of emergency communication duties in the Fire Communications Center to include Fire, EMS, and Fire-related services, including Hazardous Materials and Search and Rescue.
• Learns and becomes proficient in operating a specialized workstation comprised of a computer-based 911-telephone system, CAD system, computer-based radio dispatching systems, and other supportive computer-based devices to answer, triage and process 911 voice and text calls from the public for emergency and non-emergency assistance.
• Utilizes the Telecommunication Device for the Deaf (TDD) application of the telephone system to communicate with deaf and/or speech-impaired individuals, and facilitates language interpretation between non-English speaking callers and interpreters.
• Performs call taking and dispatching duties simultaneously when call volume exceeds staffing levels within the emergency dispatch center.
• Receives training to provide callers with life-saving medical and safety instructions in accordance with established policies and procedures.
• Interacts with callers who may be injured, distressed, distraught, emotional, and/or belligerent; maintains professional decorum when interacting with callers and attempts to calm distressed citizens during call taking to ensure effective communications.
• Gathers information from callers to ensure personnel and public safety; classifies, codes and prioritizes cases correctly; inputs data in the appropriate fields; adjusts to varying types of calls for assistance; maintains control of the conversations and makes sound decisions during life-threatening situations.
• Evaluates information received to determine appropriate jurisdiction, equipment, and personnel to be dispatched.
• Multi-tasks while communicating clearly, calmly, and efficiently with the public, departmental personnel, and government agencies while simultaneously using a computer, telephone, and various electronic databases.
• Receives data from responding emergency personnel, ANI-ALI data, WHP1/2 data, GIS mapping systems, flight air traffic systems, and unit or cell phone GPS identifiers to track units and callers deployed to the field for safety and organization, entering information into various computer systems and logs; tracks the status of field resources and reporting parties, handles resource requests from field units, and dispatches appropriate field resources.
• Manages radio operations during Mayday alarm activation, reroutes radio traffic, and assists on-scene resources in the proper management of a search and rescue for downed emergency…