6J44
CHIEF FIRE EQUIPMENT DISPATCHER

This is second supervisory level emergency communication work directing the operation of an emergency fire and medical communications system. The employee in this class directs, through subordinate supervisors, a staff of dispatchers engaged in handling calls from the public for emergency fire and / or emergency medical services.

The employee in this class also has responsibility for supervising, through a subordinate supervisor, the Fire Communications Center's Training and Quality Assurance Programs and Fire Survey Unit.

Coordinating continuous 24 hour-a-day coverage of the communications system and overseeing the continuous maintenance of communications equipment are significant aspects of the work.

Work is performed under the general supervision of a Deputy Fire Commissioner.

• The position must direct all operations of the emergency fire and medical communications system.
• The position must be located in the Fire Department.
• Only one position may be allocated to this class.

• Develops work schedules to maintain proper coverage of fire communications center; discusses and makes changes if necessary to resolve any scheduling problems; assigns substitute dispatchers as needed; reviews fire and other emergency reports submitted; compiles statistical information regarding number and kind of incidents, reserve operations, cave-ins, building collapses and other pertinent information from reports; operates computer systems to retrieve information as needed and prepare reports of dispatch information from computer tapes; assumes personal supervision of radio room during multiple alarm fires; tests and operates the air raid warning system in conjunction with the office of emergency management.
• Develops and updates detail design documents and associated programs for computer aided dispatch procedures to be used in the communication center and field units; directs computer aided dispatch process on a daily basis; plans and designs work stations and positions within room to insure proper coverage; updates medical protocol software.
• Updates fire equipment assignments within the computer aided dispatch system and revises history and information files; assigns codes for alarms in the Department of Public Property's fire box system; records and updates telephone changes and requests for service within the Fire Department; performs minor repairs to equipment as needed.
• Supervises, through the Fire Equipment Dispatcher Assistant Chief, an Employee Training Program for the Communications Center, providing training in communications equipment, computer aided dispatch procedures, dispatcher certification and re-certification; gives lectures and demonstrations relative to the operation of the fire communication system to new firefighters, civic organizations and other groups.
• Supervises, through the Fire Equipment Dispatcher Assistant Chief, a Quality Assurance Program, which continually monitors dispatchers' adherence to Emergency Medical Dispatch protocol and related performance measures.
• Supervises, through the Fire Equipment Dispatcher Assistant Chief, a Fire Survey Unit, which manages street location data for the Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) System and inventory of all communications equipment for the Fire Communications Center; serves on technical committees and works with vendors during design, review, testing and implementation of new or upgraded communications equipment; evaluates new/upgraded communications equipment upon implementation; develops operating procedures for any new equipment; ensures training is conducted on any new procedures.
• Directs departmental investigations into Fire/EMS incidents; provides documentation/reports to various departmental and/or city officials; evaluates and monitors procurement and maintenance contracts for all communications center equipment; formulates and implements various administrative procedures and standards in such areas as lateness, sick-time and overtime.
• Performs related work as required.

KNOWLEDGE OF:
• the principles, practices, methods and procedures used in operating a variety of fire alarm communications equipment
• fire station locations and of the location of principle fire hazards in the city and the physical layout of the city with regard to the dispatching of apparatus or medical units
• manual and computer aided dispatch systems, including files, functions and capabilities
• call screening procedures, priority dispatch, and emergency medical protocols
• electronic tape recording procedures to produce adequate recordings of specific incidents
• the operation of the fire alarm signal system
• radio frequency systems and wireless data delivery systems
• the principles and techniques used in supervising Training and Quality Assurance Programs
• the principles and techniques used in supervising a large group of employees engaged in receiving and dispatching fire alarm and other emergency messages
ABILITY TO:
• maintain records and repair reports
• speak before large groups of diversified ages and backgrounds
• operate various electronic equipment including information collection media such as tapes and discs and to insure proper functioning
• analyze and interpret statistical data
• schedule a large group of employees on varying shifts in order to maintain adequate coverage for a 24 / 7 operation
• establish and maintain effective working relationships with subordinates, city/departmental officials and vendors
• establish and implement policies and procedures

EDUCATION
• Education equivalent to completion of the twelfth school grade.
AND
GENERAL EXPERIENCE
• Three years of experience operating a variety of emergency fire and medical communications equipment in an emergency communications center.
AND
SPECIFIC EXPERIENCE
• Three years of experience supervising the operation of a wide variety of emergency fire and medical communications equipment in an emergency communications center.

OR

Any equivalent combination of education and experience determined to be acceptable by the Personnel Department.

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

• Possession of state certification by the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Association (PEMA), prior to appointment and during tenure of appointment as the Chief Fire Equipment Dispatcher.
• Possession of an Emergency Medical Dispatch Certification, as issued by the Association of Professional Communication Officials (APCO), prior to appointment and during tenure of appointment as the Chief Fire Equipment Dispatcher.