EMERGENCY SERVICES DISPATCHER I 0173

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF THE CLASS

An employee in this class receives telephone and radio calls for emergency assistance, and contacts emergency medical service units, fire departments and rescue units via a two-way communication system. The incumbent must elicit sufficient information to determine the nature of the emergency and the extent of assistance required. The incumbent coordinates the activities of the emergency service unit contacted, the ambulance dispatched, and the hospital or other emergency services provider. Work requires maintaining clerical records of incoming and outgoing communications, and may involve working rotating shifts. The incumbent works under the direct supervision of a higher-level Emergency Services Dispatcher. Does related work as required.

TYPICAL WORK ACTIVITIES

Receives telephone or radio calls for emergency medical, fire or rescue assistance, referred from the police emergency number, ambulances, hospitals and health-related facilities;

Determines the nature and precise location of the emergency and the type of assistance and equipment required;

Provides emergency medical and/or other emergency information to the caller pending the arrival of emergency personnel;

Operates a two-way communication system to contact the emergency service unit covering the area;

Operates a computer terminal in an emergency dispatch system;

Maintains continuous contact with the emergency service unit and the ambulance or other equipment dispatched, to obtain and relate current information on the status of the situation;

Contacts the appropriate hospital or other emergency services provider to coordinate delivery of the necessary assistance;

Refers non-emergency requests to the appropriate resource for assistance;

Maintains logs and other clerical records of incoming and outgoing communications and the disposition or requests received;

Assists a higher level Emergency Services Dispatcher in training new Emergency Services Dispatchers I.

FULL PERFORMANCE KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, ABILITIES AND PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS

Good knowledge of the basic geographical layout of Suffolk County; good knowledge of the procedures and practices of the Emergency Services program in responding to requests for medical, fire and rescue technology; skill in operating two-way radio communications equipment; skill in entering emergency services data into a computer with speed and accuracy; ability to remain calm while eliciting information from persons who may be in a highly emotional state; ability to act quickly and efficiently under stress; ability to write legibly; freedom from any speech or hearing defect which would impair one's functioning in this position; physical condition commensurate with the demands of the position.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

OPEN COMPETITIVE

Graduation from a standard senior high school or possession of a high school equivalency diploma.

NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

Candidates must possess an Emergency Medical Technician certificate, issued by the New York State Department of Health, at the time of appointment;

Appointees must obtain a certificate both as an Emergency Medical Dispatcher and as a Fire Services Dispatcher through an approved course as determined by the appointing authority within six (6) months of the date of appointment, and must maintain valid certificates as an Emergency Medical Dispatcher and as a Fire Services Dispatcher throughout their employment in this title.

Candidates must be free of any speech, hearing or vision defects which would impair their functioning in this position.

There will be a qualifying psychological evaluation.

There will be a qualifying medical evaluation.

There will be a qualifying keyboard performance test.

R2/22/03

SUFFOLK COUNTY

Competitive