Emergency Communications Fire​/EMS Dispatcher

Overview

Answers incoming emergency and non‑emergency calls for emergency services provision via phone, text and radio(s). Provides emergency medical dispatch instructions to incoming callers. Dispatches Fire‑Rescue units to a wide variety of emergency situations, communicates via radio to units and processes the calls by producing detailed logs of transmissions to and from the Communications Center and units in the field, makes notifications to key staff, partner agencies, personnel and units.

Provides optimum customer service to callers under significant emotional strain and stress.

• Emergency Communication Trainee/Dispatcher I – (Successfully complete 6 month county probation period) – $37,044.00/yr
• Emergency Communications Dispatcher II – (Complete in‑house state certified 4 week training academy; Attend and successfully pass an Emergency Medical Dispatch Course) – $38,896.00/yr
• Emergency Communications Dispatcher III – (160‑240 hours of radio dispatch training;
  Successfully obtained Public Safety Telecommunicator certification; Pass Emergency Communications Dispatch exam part 1 and 2 with an 80% or higher) – $41,618.00/yr
• Emergency Communications Dispatcher IV – (240‑300 hours of radio training;
  Meet or exceed dispatch average of 30 seconds; Passed the Emergency Communications Dispatch Exam part 3 with a 80% or higher) – $44,947.00/yr

• Answer emergency and non‑emergency calls via 9‑1‑1 phone system, Motorola radio system, and administrative telephone lines.
• Extract necessary information from incoming calls, evaluating urgency and nature of the call.
• Operate an advanced Fire/EMS Emergency Communication suite consisting of CAD, multiple computer terminals, and interfaces.
• Dispatch the appropriate Fire/EMS unit(s) and track their status and location.
• Transmit messages and information to Fire/EMS units responding to calls.
• Provide emergency medical and fire instructions to citizens while units are in route.
• Contact outside agencies and departments to coordinate aid (utility companies, water services, law enforcement).
• Keep detailed logs of all transmissions and interactions in the Communications Center.
• Answer routine questions or refer calls to appropriate agencies for non‑Fire/EMS inquiries.
• Consult supervisor on non‑routine matters.
• Demonstrate continuous effort to improve operations, reduce turnaround times, and streamline work processes.

• High School Diploma or GED required
• Minimum typing speed of 35 words per minute (typing test required).
• Must pass ECOMM testing standards (previous one‑year scores accepted).

• CPR certification.
• Florida 911 Public Safety Telecommunication certification.
• International Academy of Emergency Medical Dispatcher certification (obtain and maintain within one year of hire).

• Associate’s degree or higher.
• Previous dispatch, emergency communication center, or call center experience.

• Must possess and maintain a valid Florida Driver’s License.
• Willingness to work rotating shifts, nights, weekends, holidays, and on-call duties.
• Ready to respond to minimum staffing, shift coverage, community and natural disasters.