Fire Alarm Operator

Description

The City offers competitive pay with a comprehensive benefit package to include low deductible health plans with HSA funding offered by Harvard Pilgrim, Delta Dental to include a lifetime orthodontia benefit, Delta Vision, New Hampshire Retirement System Pension, three choices of 457 Retirement Plans, Paid STD, LTD and PFML as well as free family pool pass for employees in the summer, free library card, and member guest rate for employees at our very own Beaver Meadow Golf Course.

DEPARTMENT: Concord Fire Department

TYPICAL WORK SHIFT/SCHEDULE: 24 Hour Rotating Shifts

STARTING SALARY: $21.76 with comprehensive benefits package.

Open until filled. Ongoing review of qualified candidates. SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS:

A City Application is required. Applications may be completed online at www.concordnh.gov. For more information on applications, please call the Human Resources Department at (voice) or TTY at or 7-1-1. No e-mails or faxes will be accepted.

A thorough background check will be completed prior to hiring. For more information contact Fire administration at .

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Job Summary:
Receives and dispatches emergency and routine calls for the City Fire Department in order to protect life and property of the citizens of the City of Concord and Capital Area Fire Mutual Aid communities. Answers calls in a timely, professional, and appropriate manner. Provides calm, efficient and courteous processing of requests for assistance or information received through multiple communications media. Analyzes reports of incidents or requests for assistance; determines and dispatches the appropriate resources to effectively deal with the incident; handles multiple, simultaneous incidents which may vary in nature and severity; establishes order and control of the various communication systems; confirms locations of incidents and amends incorrect information as necessary; verifies whether request for assistance is from incident location or is reported from a remote location.
Examples of Duties

Receives and prioritizes all incoming requests within the Capital Area for Emergency Services; provides mutual aid responses outside the Capital Area; receives and processes emergency calls; obtains and compiles information required to determine safe and appropriate apparatus response. Determines location, response apparatus, radio signal, and transmitting tower required to signal appropriate agencies; dispatches units; maintains radio communications; documents response times and narrative content; provides information relative to special hazards, additional response apparatus, and alarm levels; transmits emergency signals; monitors Firefighter Emergency Traffic Alerts. Monitors, receives, decodes, and transmits and dispatches Fire Alarm Activations transmitted via Master Box Alarm and Digitizer Alarms. Monitors in-house systems; ensures proper working order to maintain operation and safety of facilities. Operates as the primary Statewide Control Dispatcher for the New Hampshire Fire Mobilization Plan; fulfills task force and strike team mutual aid requests. Receives traffic signal complaints and malfunction advisories; determines appropriate agencies and makes notifications.

Serves as secondary fire alarm operator for Lakes Region, and Southwest Fire Mutual Aid Dispatches; receives overflow calls for these agencies.

Assists in training new Fire Alarm Operators under the guidance of the Lead Fire Alarm Operator. Monitors security systems and equipment for the Fire Headquarters complex. Analyzes reports of incidents or requests for assistance; determines and dispatches the appropriate resources to effectively deal with the incident; handles multiple simultaneous incidents which may vary in nature and severity and establishes order and control of the various communication systems. Serves as part of the New Hampshire Tactical Interoperability Communications Plan (TICP). Performs other related duties as required
Typical Qualifications

High School Diploma or its recognized equivalent supplemented by class work in personal computers, electricity and electronics.ORAny combination of education, training and experience which provides the knowledge, skills and abilities required for the job. Ability to work a 24 hour rotating shift. Licenses and Certifications:
Ability to obtain APCO Certified Dispatcher within one year of hire.
Supplemental Information

Knowledge of: Fire apparatus, equipment, emergency classifications, and response strategies and tactics. Fire alarm systems, including transmissions, fire alarm circuits, troubles, and system malfunctions. Radio systems, operations, towers, and system failures. Computer aided dispatch systems and reports. Multi-line and multi-function phone systems. TTY Telecommunications devices for the hearing impaired. Neighboring agency resources. The territory contained within the Capital Area Mutual Aid Region, including but not limited to streets, major landmarks, apartment complexes, major business locations, and buildings.
Skill in:
Communicating with persons in a panicked and crisis situation. Making decisions and prioritizing responses. Monitoring multiple radio frequencies, agencies, and apparatus. Translating incomplete and fragmented radio transmissions into concise and accurate messages. Operating office equipment and typing. Dealing effectively with a variety of people, including during an extreme emergency.

Mental and/or Physical Ability to:

Read and understand written directions, text, and numbers. Learn proper dispatch procedures, including analyzing incoming information to determine the level of resources required and the ability to prioritize calls. Learn to operate radio, telephone, and related equipment. Perform multiple tasks concurrently. Maintain a calm, measured demeanor during periods of extreme stress. Assimilate information and respond quickly. Handle a wide variety and large volume of emergency calls. Establish effective professional working relationships with other Communications Operators, Supervisors, Police Officers, the general public, ambulance company representatives, wrecker company representatives, fire service and EMS personnel, and members of other public safety agencies. Hear, understand, and orally communicate detailed information accurately and completely. Speak clearly and distinctly. Remain calm in stressful situation and deal courteously, professionally, and firmly with callers who may be hysterical in order to obtained critical information.Sit for prolonged periods or time. Employees are occasionally required to walk, stand, and/or move objects of up to 10 pounds. See and read a computer screen and a variety of written materials, all of which require close vision abilities. Employees must be able to reach and extend hands in any direction as well as handle, hold, grasp, turn, or otherwise work with hands.
Working Conditions:
Duties are performed in an office environment. Noise ranges from quiet to very loud.
MATERIAL AND EQUIPMENT USED: Computer Aided Dispatching System
Security Monitoring SystemNationwide Alerting System
TTY Communications Device for the DeafGamewell Fire Alarm Control System
Digitizing Alarm Receiving EquipmentVoting Receiving System
E-911 Ani/Ali SystemMulti-Channel/Multi-site/Multi-use Radio Communications System Correct use of radio and telephone communications systems.
This class specification should not be interpreted as all inclusive. It is intended to identify the essential functions and requirements of this job. Incumbents may be requested to perform job-related responsibilities and tasks other than those stated in this specification. Any essential function or requirement of this class will be evaluated as necessary should an incumbent/applicant be unable to perform the function or requirement due to a disability as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Reasonable accommodation for the specific disability will be made for the incumbent/applicant when possible.

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