A fire dispatcher receives emergency calls, assesses the situation, dispatches appropriate personnel, and provides reassurance to the caller. They also monitor emergency response units and maintain records. Good communication skills and the ability to remain calm under pressure are essential. Training is usually provided.
A fire dispatcher receives calls from citizens reporting fires and medical emergencies and provides appropriate assistance. It can also respond to fire alarms that automatically alert the fire department when activated. He typically contacts available fire and emergency personnel via a two-way radio, cell phone, or computer to alert them to problems and their location. If emergency personnel from other agencies are needed, the dispatcher will usually alert them as well.
When a fire dispatcher receives a distress call, their first responsibility is usually to assess the urgency of the situation. If the call can be handled by verbal communication, it is generally expected that he will walk the caller through the necessary steps to alleviate the problem. This may be the case if the fire is contained outdoors in a barbecue pit or if the medical emergency is not life-threatening.
In the event that the crisis requires the assistance of emergency professionals, the fire dispatcher is normally required to dispatch appropriate personnel to the scene. After he dispatches the call, he usually stays on the phone line to reassure the caller. It may provide medical or first aid advice, information on how to stay safe until help arrives, or advise the caller to ensure that others nearby are safe.
An effective dispatcher usually requires a lot of attention to detail. In addition to listening carefully to the facts provided by callers, he is typically required to monitor the locations of emergency response units through computerized tracking monitors. If local units are not available or units from neighboring areas are needed based on the scope of the emergency, it is generally expected that he will contact all units efficiently. Knowing how to quickly alert other agencies, such as civil defense and public works, is often required of a fire dispatcher if the emergency poses a threat to the general public.
Typically, this work requires meticulous file and record keeping and a high level of discretion. The fire dispatcher typically maintains a list of contact information for key personnel and has access to sensitive personal information. If automatic fire alarms are used in his geographical area of responsibility, he is expected to ensure that they are regularly and properly maintained. He may also be responsible for incident reports filed by various emergency responders.
The fire dispatcher position typically requires a high school diploma or equivalent. Good communication skills are highly desirable, as is the ability to remain calm under pressure. Most fire dispatcher positions provide training for new hires.
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