Fire Equipment Dispatcher 1 (B)

CITY OF PHILADELPHIA PERSONNEL DEPARTMENT

6J42
FIRE EQUIPMENT DISPATCHER I

Specialties
( Bilingual ) ( General )

GENERAL DEFINITION

This is full performance level emergency radio communications work, on an assigned shift, receiving telephone requests for fire fighting, medical rescue and other services, and dispatching the appropriate personnel and apparatus. Employees in this class use computer terminals to input and retrieve dispatch related data. Work is performed under the supervision of a higher level fire equipment dispatcher.

TYPICAL EXAMPLES OF WORK (ILLUSTRATIVE ONLY)

Both Specialties

Receives calls from the public for fire fighting, medical rescue, and other services; ascertains the nature and determines the seriousness of such calls; selects proper situation codes and types pertinent information into a computer terminal keyboard; determines nature of pertinent comments to place in text section of terminal input format.

Keys codes into terminal keyboard to display incoming call information; selects units to dispatch from available personnel and apparatus displayed on terminal screen; selects alternative fire or rescue companies according to protocol and judgement when regular units are unavailable.

Receives fire alarm signals from alarm boxes and dispatches apparatus and personnel.

Performs related work as required.

In the Bilingual Specialty

Answers incoming calls from the foreign language-speaking public and the English-speaking public; uses both a language spoken extensively in a foreign-language community in the City, and the English language to obtain pertinent information on calls requiring fire department action; dispatches fire equipment required for each situation.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

KNOWLEDGE OF:

In Both Specialties

the principles, practices, methods and procedures used in operating a variety of fire alarm communications equipment.
fire station locations, the location of the principle fire hazards in the City and physical layout of the City with regard to dispatching of apparatus or medical units.
the spelling of City streets and area names.
the operation of the fire alarm signal system.

ABILITY TO:

type information into the computer terminal accurately and at a minimum speed established by the department.
think clearly and act quickly in emergency situations.
maintain simple clerical records accurately and legibly.
speak clearly and distinctly.
establish and maintain effective working relationships with the general public and fellow employees.

In the Bilingual Specialty

speak, read, and write fluently and clearly one of the languages spoken extensively in a foreign language-speaking community in the City.

MINIMUM ACCEPTABLE TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE

(The following statement represents the minimum training and experience standards which will be used to admit or reject applicants for tests. Applications submitted by candidates for this class will be reviewed based on training and experience requirements as approved on 9/89.)

In Both Specialties

Education equivalent to completion of the twelfth school grade.
One year of trainee level experience operating a variety of fire communications equipment.

Or any equivalent combination of education and experience determined acceptable by the Personnel Department.

In the Bilingual Specialty

Sufficient training and/or experience to be able to understand and speak fluently and clearly in a designated foreign language.

PHYSICAL AND MEDICAL REQUIREMENTS

Ability to physically perform the duties and to work in the environmental conditions required of a position in this class.

PAY RANGE: 12
Class Established: 1/1983
Latest Spec. Revision: 8/1989

TOC/sb/ps

END OF JOB CLASS SPECIFICATION - 6J42

6J42FIRE EQUIPMENT DISPATCHER I

6J42
FIRE EQUIPMENT DISPATCHER I