PROGRAM ASSISTANT (EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT) 41310

Competitive

 

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF THE CLASS

 

The work involves responsibility for assisting in administering the programs of the Department of Emergency Management. An employee in this class assists in planning, organizing, implementing and evaluating county-wide programs in various areas of fire protection and civil defense/emergency management programs including, but not limited to, fire prevention education and inspection, code enforcement, firefighter training and education, hazardous materials incident mitigation, fire investigation, civil defense and natural disaster preparedness. Work is performed under the general supervision of the Commissioner of Emergency Management. Does related work as required.

 

TYPICAL WORK ACTIVITIES

 

Assists the Commissioner of Emergency Management, Director of Emergency Management (Fire) and Director of Emergency Medical Services in planning and directing the development and implementation of mutual aid programs among the various fire departments and emergency medical service providers within the county, whereby participants lend cooperative, reciprocal fire and other emergency assistance to one another; recommends policies and programs to the Commissioner of Emergency Management for implementation.

Assists local government and local fire department and emergency medical services command personnel in ways such as recommending disaster planning, response, mitigation and recovery methods, emergency medical services and fire fighting methods and equipment and actually participating in fire prevention and suppression, emergency management activities and emergency medical services activities and training.

Assists in planning public relations programs for emergency management, emergency medical services operations and recruitment, fire safety and firefighter recruitment, such as mass media promotions and speaking engagements.

Assists in planning, organizing and implementing education programs for members of the fire service, emergency medical services, local governments, general public and other agencies.

Assists in planning programs related to the county's civil defense/emergency management responsibilities including: the recruitment, organizing, training and equipping of volunteers who participate in civil defense/emergency management activities; the procurement of facilities, equipment and services; the implementation of shelter, home preparedness and other programs to prepare and inform the public in event of attack or a natural disaster; the establishment of a comprehensive civil defense warning and information system.

 

FULL PERFORMANCE KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, ABILITIES AND PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS

 

Good knowledge of modern fire protection and prevention methods, modern fire rescue methods, modern emergency medical service methods, emergency management planning, response, mitigation and recovery methods and vocabulary utilized therein.

Good knowledge of the law, rules and regulations and the aims and purposes of the fire service, emergency medical services and federal, state and local emergency response plans and laws.

Good knowledge of the State Fire Mobilization and Mutual Aid Plan, Onondaga County Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan and local and state emergency medical services rules and protocols.

Good knowledge of the Incident Command System (ICS), National Training Curriculum of the National Interagency Incident Management System (NIIMS).

Good knowledge of the geography and political subdivisions of the county.

Working knowledge of the history, principles and objectives of Federal, State and local civil defense/emergency management programs.

Ability to establish and maintain cordial working relationships with the state, county and local officials, members of fire fighting and emergency medical services forces and volunteer organizations.

Ability to interpret fire training plans, emergency medical services plans, mutual aid plans and federal, state and local emergency plans to county and local officials and the public.

Ability to express oneself clearly and effectively, both orally and in writing.

Physical condition commensurate with the demands of the position.

 

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

 

A. Two (2) years* as a volunteer firefighter in an organized volunteer fire department, which must have included successful completion of formal basic fire service training inclusive of fire suppression or as a volunteer emergency medical services provider in an organized emergency medical services agency, which must have included certification as a New York State Emergency Medical Technician; or,

 

 

 

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MIMINUM QUALIFICATIONS, Cont.

 

B. One (1) year of paid work experience, or its part-time equivalent, as a non-volunteer Firefighter or Air Crash Rescue Worker, which must have included successful completion of formal basic fire service training inclusive of fire suppression or as a non-volunteer emergency medical services provider, which must have included certification as a New York State Emergency Medical Technician; or,

C. One (1) year of paid work experience, or its part-time equivalent, in a recognized emergency preparedness program; or,

D. Graduation from a regionally accredited college or university or one accredited by the New York State Board of Regents to grant degrees with an associate's degree in fire science and either one (1) year of experience as described in (A) above or six (6) months of experience as described in (B) or (C) above.

 

AND IN ADDITION TO EITHER A, B, C OR D ABOVE

 

One (1) year of responsible experience either:

1. In a command level position in a volunteer or paid fire department, emergency medical services agency or emergency management program; or,

2. As a supervisor or manager responsible for the development and implementation of a fire prevention program, fire training program, emergency medical services training program or emergency management program.

 

*Two (2) years as a volunteer firefighter or emergency medical services provider means length in time in calendar years as an active member in good standing of a volunteer fire department or emergency medical services agency. This does not have to be full time experience.

 

 

5/03 Date of Original Composition