Fire Communications Officer I

Employees in positions of this class perform entrance-level work in operating communications equipment, keeping records, and other duties in the Communications Center of the Fire Department. They answer 9-1-1 lines, interrogate callers, compose and route dispatches to fire department dispatcher, route calls to appropriate agencies, operate fire department radios, procure medical control (Biotel), and maintain records of these activities following department procedures. Duties of this class are non-supervisory in nature and require the ability to act independently following standard operating procedures. Communications Officers report and have work reviewed by the Fire Communications Officer II.

Examples listed below are illustrative only. They are not intended to include all duties which may be assigned, neither are they intended to exclude other duties which may be logical assignments to the class.
Answers incoming 9-1-1 calls for Caddo Parish.
Interrogates callers, composes dispatch information, enters dispatch information in FireCAD system, and/or routes calls to other appropriate agencies.
Provides Emergency Medical pre-arrival instructions when appropriate.
Answers Fire Department emergency and non-emergency telephone lines.
Receives and transmits information over the Shreveport Fire Department and Caddo Parish radio system.
Performs "tests" of Fire Department communications systems.
Monitors "units status and location" of fire department apparatus at all times.
Monitors status of selected Caddo Fire Districts.
Performs "Medical control" functions in the operation of the Biotel system.
May temporarily assume responsibilities of Communications Officer II when required.

Unless otherwise stated, all requirements must be met before admission to examination.
Must meet all requirements of the Municipal Fire and Police Civil Service Law, including being a citizen of the United States and passing a civil service examination for the position.
Must have a high school diploma or a valid certificate of equivalency issued by a state department of education.
Must be not less than twenty-one (21) years of age.
Must demonstrate typing ability of 25 WPM.
Before permanent appointment, must successfully demonstrate ability to function smoothly and consistently during periods of high stress with limited assistance.
Before permanent appointment, must successfully demonstrate ability to function during periods of quickly changing conditions, which require the completion of multiple tasks within short time frames.
Before permanent appointment, must successfully demonstrate ability to interrogate individuals, break hysteria thresholds, compose and communicate accurate and complete dispatch information via the Fire Department Computer Aided Dispatch System.
Before permanent appointment, must successfully complete a Fire Department approved 40-hour telecommunication course. This training is offered as part of the new employee's basic training.
Before permanent appointment, must successfully complete a Fire Department approved Emergency Medical Dispatch course. This training is offered as part of the new employee's basic training.
Must possess a valid Louisiana Driver's license.
Before appointment, must pass a medical examination designed to show good mental and physical health and physical abilities sufficient for the performance of required duties.
Must possess a working knowledge of the city including location of major subdivision, locations of fire stations, major landmarks, main streets and highways.