Call - Queensland Fire and Rescue Service

callDepartment of Community Safetyfirecommunications0fficer

firecommunications0fficerQueensland Fire and Rescue Service Fire Communications OfficerDepartment of CommunitySafety (DCS)The functions of the Queensland Department of CommunitySafety are unique. It is the only entity in Australia thatdelivers high quality correctional, ambulance, fire,emergency and disaster management services througha single agency. This collaborative approach across theservice and with key stakeholders delivers improved safetyoutcomes for the community.The operational divisions of the department are theQueensland Fire and Rescue Service (QFRS), QueenslandAmbulance Service (QAS), Emergency ManagementQueensland (EMQ) and Queensland Corrective Services (CS).The operational divisions are supported by Business SupportServices (BSS) and Strategic Policy and Executive Services(SPES).The department has approximately 8,900 employees andis supported by more than over 10,000 volunteers acrossQueensland. The Department’s headquarters is locatedin Brisbane. Regional headquarters are also located atBeenleigh, Brisbane, Cairns, Maryborough, Caloundra,Rockhampton, Toowoomba and Townsville.Strategic purposeThe Department of Community Safety supports healthy, safeand secure communities through public safety, emergencymanagement and secure and appropriate correctionsservices.Queensland Fire and Rescue Service (QFRS)The QFRS is the primary provider of fire and rescue activitiesthroughout Queensland. The QFRS is responsible forcommunity safety, the protection of people, propertyand the environment from fire and chemical incidents;and in conjunction with other agencies for the rescue ofpeople trapped in vehicles, buildings and other emergencysituations. The QFRS plays an important community safetyrole and undertakes a comprehensive range of communityeducation and awareness programs. It is the role of the QFRSto provide a responsive service to the community, whichwill result in the minimisation of preventable fire fatalitiesand casualties and the minimisation of damage to propertyand the environment from fire and other hazards. FireCommunications Officers deliver a vital service to supportthese operations.We take the callEvery call for assistance responded to by the QFRS goesthrough one of seven Fire Communications Centres’throughout the State. Fire Communication Centres operate24/7, 365 days of the year; shifts are rostered on a rotatingbasis to cover this time.Each Fire Communications Centre is equipped withcomputer-aided dispatch systems, radio and telephonecommunications, computerised street directories and datalogging facilities.The position of QFRS Fire Communications Officerencompasses many skills, knowledge and task attributes,including:• the ability to respond professionally to emergencytriple zero (000) calls• the ability to type and input data at speed with ahigh degree of accuracy• the ability to actively listen and communicateassertively• the ability to forward plan and provide cleardirection• the ability to perform in a calm and professionalmanner• the ability to complete accurate and detailedreports• the ability to manage general administrative andother non-emergency calls for service.The first few minutes of any emergency situation may requireurgent intervention to save lives or property. A QFRS FireCommunications Officer is usually the first point of contactfor the community and as such, assists QFRS in its role ofminimising the number of preventable fire fatalities andcasualties and minimizing damage to property and theenvironment from fire and hazards.QFRS Fire Communications Officer Recruitment Information Kit

firecommunications0fficerWhat do we offer?Careers and TrainingThe QFRS is committed to training and education asa long term investment aimed at maintaining a highlyskilled workforce.It is through quality training that a Fire CommunicationsOfficer develops the confidence, skills, knowledge andabilities to manage increasingly complex emergencysituations.QFRS Fire Communications Officers are requiredto successfully complete a Certificate III in FireCommunications Operations upon entry. This trainingwill include an induction within the Region, a period atthe School of Fire and Rescue Service Training, Lytton,Brisbane and on returning to region you will be placedon shift with an experienced Fire CommunicationsOfficer as your mentor. On completion of thiscompetency QFRS Fire Communications Officerswill enter the Fire Communications ProfessionalDevelopment Program (FCPDP) and be requiredto successfully complete training programs andqualifications relevant to their level.UniformsThe wearing of the QFRS uniform is required for theready identification of the QFRS and its staff. Theuniform ensures a common dress standard throughoutoperational areas of the QFRS. It also reflects, in thepublic image, the high individual standards of FireCommunications Officers and the critical communityservice they provide. Uniforms are issued at thesuccessful completion of the Certificate III in FireCommunications. The QFRS Uniform Code must beadhered to at all times.Fire Communications Officers also undertake trainingprograms, activities and assessments throughout theircareer to ensure their skills remain at an optimumlevel.Communications Officer Hours of WorkFire Communications Centres operate 24/7, 365 days ofthe year. Fire Communications Officers are required towork shifts on a rotating basis to cover this time. Theshifts are 10 - 14 hours in duration.RemunerationFor queries about current remuneration rates, pleasecontact QFRS Recruitment.SuperannuationThe QFRS contribute 12.75% to Q-Super; thesuperannuation scheme for Queensland PublicSector Employees. Permanent and TemporaryCommunications Officers are required to contributeto QSuper. Casual Fire Communications Officersmay make contributions on a voluntary basis. Foradditional information visit the website www.qsuper.qld.gov.auQFRS Fire Communications Officer Recruitment Information Kit

Recruitment and selection processThe recruitment and selection process for FireCommunications Officers has been designed torecruit individuals who are best suited to meet therequirements of the job.It is imperative that applicants understand the totalrecruitment process and all stages of assessment in theselection process, before submitting an application.QFRS Fire Communications recruitment is a continuousprocess. This means that applications can be submittedand updated on an ongoing basis.The process has a number of stages and has beendesigned to enable QFRS to consider an applicant’sability to meet the requirements of the FireCommunication Officer’s job.QFRS will build up a file on applicants, which willinclude the application form, documents provided bythe applicant, and outcomes of assessments. Thisenables QFRS to select the applicants who are the mostsuitable overall for particular vacancies.All elements of the process contribute to determiningwhether an applicant is selected for appointment.The processThere are a number of stages in the process andapplicants should familiarise themselves with thecomplete process before making application.Initially, applicants must submit an application formand supply certified documented evidence to showthey are an Australian resident and also documentedevidence of their education and work history, as wellas certified copies of other documentation required forapplication.If the application is accepted then applicants will beinvited to complete a work related assessment. This isavailable on a user pays system and there is a calendarof assessments available for applicants to refer to whenmaking their assessment bookings.Assessment outcomes will be sent to QFRS Recruitmentand applicants will be notified by mail.If an applicant does not meet an acceptable level orhas not scored in a competitive range, they will benotified and given the opportunity to undertake a reassessment.There is a mandatory stand-down period before reassessmentcan be attempted of 3 months. Further reassessmentis available after a further 6 month period.Costs associated with any re-assessments are to becovered by the applicant.Those applicants who meet the required standardfor the work related assessmenmts are required tocomplete:• Medical assessment• Characteristics assessmentTo be considered for shortlisting for interview.As vacancies occur in QFRS, the Selection Committeewill meet to shortlist a number of suitable applicants foreach available position. It should be noted that all ofthe information collected, as part of an applicant’s file,will be considered in the shortlisting process.The Selection Committee will be a centrally convenedbody, which will be sponsored by the AssistantCommissioner - Sponsor Five Communications or theirdelegated officer.Membership of the Selection Committee includes:1 x Assistant Commissioner - Sponsor FiveCommunications or their delegated officer.1 x Manager Regional Communications orFire Communications Supervisor1 x Fire Communications Officer (FCO1.4)1 x QFRS Recruitment representative/HumanResources representative.This committee will consider the information in thefiles of applicants who have nominated employmentlocations that match the vacancies for FireCommunication Officers.Shortlisted applicants will be invited to attend aninterview in the region where the vacancy exists. Aspeed typing validation will be scheduled in conjunctionwith the interview.This demonstrates those applicants who recordedbelow the highly desireable 45wpm have shownimprovement in obtaining a level of 45wpm or better; or,have maintained their recorded speed and accuracy.QFRS Fire Communications Officer Recruitment Information Kit

firecommunications0fficerMembership of the Interview panel includes:1 x Manager Regional Communications1 x Fire Communications Supervisor or FireCommunications Officer1 x DCS Officer (e.g. QFRS Station Officer, QASCommunications Supervisor etc.) or RegionalHuman Resources Officer.Interview panels will send a report to the SelectionCommittee on the outcome of each interview. At thisstage in the process, applicants who are selected forfurther consideration will be advised and will beasked to:Fire Communications OfficerRecruitment ProcessApplication1. Australian resident2. Education3. Work history4.• Undertake a Criminal History Check – these are tobe completed by the applicants and a copy of yourdriver’s licence will be sent to Queensland Policefor checking. Results of these checks will be sentto QFRS Recruitment who will advise the SelectionCommittee.• Undertake a Clinical Psychometric Assessment –applicants selected for further consideration willbe contacted by QFRS Recruitment to organise thisassessment within the local area where possible.3.1.AssessmentsWork related assessments2. MedicalCharacteristics AssessmentsApplicants not selected for further consideration willremain in the applicant pool for further processes.If final assessments/checks are completed to asatisfactory standard applicants are to be given an Offerof Employment. An applicant who accepts employmentas a Fire Communications Officer with the QFRS willthen undertake the recruitment training to complete theCertificate III in Fire Communications.Selection committee shortlist(based on whole file)2.1.InterviewSpeed typing validation3.Referee reportsSelection(based on whole file)1.Clinical Psychometric Assessment2. Criminal History CheckAppointmentQFRS Fire Communications Officer Recruitment Information Kit

Requirements for applicationBefore an applicant can be considered for a position,they will need to provide evidence of the followingapplication requirements:• Australian Citizenship, New Zealand Citizenship orAustralian Resident Status.• Successful completion of Year 10 (or equivalent).• Minimum of two years full time equivalent generalwork experience.Australian residentThe QFRS only employs people entitled to acceptpermanent employment within Australia, that is,Australian citizens, New Zealand citizens and those withpermanent residency status.Evidence of Australian citizenship, in the form of either acertified copy of a birth certificate or passport, must besubmitted on application.Evidence of New Zealand citizenship, in the form ofa certified copy of a New Zealand passport, must besubmitted on application.Applicants who have obtained Australian citizenship orpermanent resident status must provide certified copiesof appropriate documentation, including the date thestatus was awarded.Applicants who were not born in Australia and havenot applied for citizenship/ permanent residentstatus, should contact the Australian Department ofImmigration and Indigenous and Multicultural Affairs atwww.citizenship.gov.au or phone 131 880Education - successful completion of Year10 (or equivalent)QFRS is committed to training and education as along term investment aimed at maintaining a highlyskilled workforce. Applicants are therefore required todemonstrate that they have successfully completed aminimum of Year 10 level education or education whichcan be deemed as a Year 10 equivalent.For the purpose of a QFRS application for a FireCommunications Officer position:• successful completion of Year 10 implies a soundachievement obtained in a minimum of four Year 10subjects• year 10 equivalent implies completion of aCertificate II or higher (in any discipline).Applicants without these standard qualificationsmay need to have their qualifications assessed byQueensland Tertiary Admissions Centre (QTAC) orQueensland Studies Authority (QSA) prior to makingapplication. In some cases, applicants withoutstandard qualifications can have their vocationalexperience assessed by QTAC to determine aneducational standard.For more information, contact QTAC Assessment ofQualifications Service at www.qtac.edu.au or QFRS atwww.fire.qld.gov.au.Work Historyminimum of two years full time equivalent general workhistoryA minimum of two years full time equivalent generalwork history is required for application. Other applicablework history above the minimum requirement will berecognised in the assessment process. Applicants willneed to provide evidence of their work history; this mayinclude certified copies of Statements of Service fromemployers. Part time work equivalent for two years is3640 hours.Other educational qualifications above the minimumrequirement will be recognised in the assessmentprocess. Applicants will need to supply certified copiesof all certificates / qualifications with their application.QFRS Fire Communications Officer Recruitment Information Kit

firecommunications0fficerAssessments and medicalstandardsThe assessments for QFRS Fire CommunicationsRecruitment have been chosen to provide relevantinformation about an applicant.Work-related assessmentsThe work-related assessments have been formulatedto test for the key skills and abilities required to carryout the role of QFRS Fire Communications Officersuccessfully. The work-related assessments areconducted by a contracted provider. Informationon costs, assessment checks and schedules will beprovided once an application has been accepted.• typing (45 words/minute with a high degree ofaccuracy is highly desirable)• audio typing• listening comprehension• multi-tasking• spatial analysis• verbal communication skills• problem solving.Work-related assessment results will remain current for3 years (Typing must be updated annually and a typingtest will be required at interview). If an applicant doesnot meet an acceptable level or has not scored in acompetitive range, they will be notified and given theopportunity to undertake a re-assessment in the future.There is a mandatory stand-down period before reassessmentcan be attempted of 3 months. Furtherre-assessment is available after a further 6 monthperiod. Applicants can choose to re-sit the work-relatedassessments to improve their scores; this is at their owncost.Characteristics assessmentQFRS Fire Communications Officers play an importantrole within the emergency service environment. Theyrequire specific characteristics and traits, which areessential to ensure that they can carry out their activitieseffectively.A characteristics assessment profile has beendeveloped by identifying characteristics and traits whichsuccessful Fire Communications Officers within QFRSpossess. Applicants are required to undertake thecharacteristics assessment to determine their fit withthe Fire Communications characteristics profile.Medical assessmentThe role of QFRS Fire Communications Officer placesunique demands on individuals. The medical assessmentwill asses an applicant’s fitness for employmentagainst the following medical standards. The standardsare reflective of the critical job requirements, activitiesand environmental factors.The interviewThe interview is an important assessment tool inthe QFRS process of recruiting and selecting FireCommunications Officers. Applicants who have beenShortlisted as a result of their application and workrelatedassessments will be invited to attendan interview.What can you expect at interview?In the interview, the panel will take the opportunity todiscuss details of the vacancy and QFRS expectations ofnew employees.The interview will consist of questions based on theposition role. Responses to the questions will beassessed against the Fire Communications Officer roledescription (please see the separate Role Descriptiondocument)Preparing for interviewTo prepare for an interview, applicants should revise theduties and responsibilities and selection criteria and beprepared to answer any questions relating to either.Applicants will be asked questions which will allowthem to explain their skills, experience and abilities,and their claim to the position.Speed typing validationA five (5) minute typing validation will be conductedeither directly before or after the interview.This demonstrates those applicants who recordedbelow the highly desireable 45wpm have shownimprovement in obtaining a level of 45wpm or better; or,have maintained their recorded speed and accuracy.Referee reportsYou are required to provide contact details of two workreferees and two personal referees.Do not send written references.QFRS Fire Communications Officer Recruitment Information Kit

If you are claiming work history as a CommunicationsOfficer, you are required to include your currentmanager/supervisor as a referee.Members of your family or next of kin will not beaccepted as personal referees.Clinical psychometric assessmentAfter being offered a position with QFRS, but beforeappointment, applicants are required to undertake aclinical psychometric assessment. This assessmentwill be paid for by QFRS. If such an assessment raisesissues or concerns, QFRS may request that an applicantattend a psychiatrist or psychologist for furtherevaluation.Criminal history checkQFRS is committed to ensuring that its workforcecontains people with the highest standards of personalintegrity and as such may exclude people with certaincriminal histories from employment.A satisfactory criminal history check must be completedprior to an appointment being confirmed.QFRS medical standards -communicationsVisual acuityRationaleMost of the safety critical stimuli for FireCommunications Officer’s duties rely on adequatevisual skills. Fire Communications Officer duties includereading of visual display terminals and other writtenmaterial.Standard• In the first instance, the Ishihara test will be usedas a screening test.• An individual identified as having any colourvision defects on the Ishihara test will be requiredto undertake a practical test of recognition ofessential colour codes on screens.The practical test will determine whether or notthe individual is fit for duty. (Individuals who haveno trouble in day-to-day activities discriminatingbetween reds, greens, oranges, and browns arelikely to pass the test).HearingRationaleClear comprehension of all callers, including femalesand children with higher pitched voices is a vitalrequirement of Fire Communications Officer. FireCommunications Officers require sufficient hearingabilities to safely and effectively perform their duties.These hearing abilities include hearing emergencycalls, and communicating with firefighters and otherpersonnel using radios.StandardHearing thresholds must equal or be better than thefollowing thresholds in each ear at each frequency• 40 decibels at 0.5-4 kHz.Fire Communications Officers must also have adequatevoice discrimination.If a Fire Communications Officer does not meet theaudiometric threshold criteria, then they may be furtherassessed by formal voice discrimination testing, or apractical test.StandardFire Communications Officers must be able to achieve:• distant- 6/9 best eye or both eyes, aided orunaided• near - N5 best eye or both eyes, aided or unaided.Colour visionRationaleFire Communications Officers must be able todistinguish colours as the computer systems used todifferentiate unit status, availability and / or incidentpriority use colour combinations.QFRS Fire Communications Officer Recruitment Information Kit

firecommunications0fficerDiabetes mellitusRationaleIndividuals suffering from insulin dependent diabetesmellitus or who take sulphonylureas are at riskof hypoglycaemia, and the first manifestations ofhypoglycaemia may be disinhibition, and irrationalthought processes, before the more obvious signs andsymptoms are apparent. Thus, diabetics need to becarefully evaluated before being permitted to work as aFire Communications Officer. See Table 1 for a list of oralhypoglycaemic medication.Generic name Class Trade namesAcarboseGlucobayChlorpropamide Sulfonylurea DiabineseGlibenclamideSulfonylurea[lo n g a c t i n g]DaonilEugluconGlimelGliclazide Sulfonylurea DiamicronNidemGlimepiride Sulfonylurea Amaryl[lo n g a c t i n g]Glipizide Sulfonylurea MelizideMinidiabMetformin Biguanide DiabexGlucophageDiaforminPioglitazoneActosRosiglitazoneAvandiaToglitazoneTolbutamide Sulfonylurea RastinonSulfonylurea – risk of hypoglycaemiaList current as at 7 April 2006StandardAll diabetics who are being treated with insulin orsulfonylureas are precluded from working as a FireCommunications Officer, unless they can demonstratethat their diabetes is adequately controlled, and thatthey are not liable to hypoglycaemic episodes. A reportfrom their treating endocrinologist would usually berequired to satisfy this requirement.Cardiovascular conditionsRationaleFire Communications Officers positions do not havethe same physical demands as operational firefightershowever it does have significant psychologicalstressors. Therefore, applicants should not be at anysignificant risk of fainting / collapsing, suffering alteredstates of consciousness or severe incapacitating chestpain than any other normal member of the community.StandardIndividuals suffering from any of the followingconditions will be required to obtain a report froma cardiologist taking into account the critical jobdemands:• Angina Pectoris• Suspected Angina Pectoris• Confirmed myocardial infarction• Coronary artery bypass, grafting or coronaryangioplasty• Vascular disorders• Uncontrolled hypertension• Valvular heart disease• Arrhythmia• Cardiomyopathy• Congenital heart disorder• Reoccurring fainting or blackouts.Please forward any such report to the QFRS MedicalAdvisor for review and determination of suitability forthe job.Epilepsy / seizuresRationaleIndividuals should not be at any significant risk offainting / collapsing or suffering altered states ofconsciousness due to epileptic episodes.StandardIndividuals who have a demonstrated history of wellcontrolled epilepsy / seizures and have had no fitfor more than 12 months can be considered for aFire Communications Officer position. However, anyapplicant with a history of seizures triggered by the useof monitors or where any doubt exists as to the potentialfor recurrent seizures will be required to obtain a reportfrom a neurologist taking into account the critical jobdemands.QFRS Fire Communications Officer Recruitment Information Kit

Please forward any such report to the QFRS MedicalAdvisor for review and determination of suitability forthe job. A history of febrile convulsions limited to earlychildhood may be ignored.Psychiatric disordersRationaleIndividuals with psychiatric disorders will present anincreased risk to operational safety. A wide varietyof conditions can occur which may fluctuate in theirdegree of disability and transience. The precise effect ofalterations in mental state on decision-making processesand other tasks may also be unclear. Furthermore,administration of psycho tropic medication can affectalertness and coordination. Some antidepressantmedications may cause drowsiness and posturalhypotension. The potential for inter¬actions, especiallywith alcohol, should be noted.Fire Communications Officers activities includecomplicated psychomotor tasks which depend on fineco-ordination between the sensory and motor system.It is influenced by factors such as arousal, perception,learning, memory, attention, concentration, emotion,reflex speed, time estimation, auditory and visualfunctions, decision taking and personality. Complexfeedback systems interact to produce the appropriateco-ordinated behavioural response. Any condition thatinterferes with any of these factors can impair abilities tomake rational and appropriate decisions.StandardAn individual is not fit for duty:• if they are taking psychoactive drugs, which willimpair performance on a long-term basis• if the individual has an acute psychosis, whetherschizophrenic, manic-depressive or otherdepressive psychosis. People who have affectivedisorders suffer from disturbances in attention,judgement, and motor activity that can seriously,even if temporarily, affect their fitness to work• if the examining doctor believes that an individual’sjudgement or psychomotor activity is currentlyaffected by present or past mental disorder• if the examining doctor believes that there is asignificant risk of a previous psychotic conditionrelapsing.A Fire Communications Officer who does not meet thestandard may be reviewed by the QFRS Medical Advisor,who may determine that the individual is fit for duty:• if the relevant psychiatric opinion is supportive• if the communicator has a psychotic conditionwhich is so well controlled as to reduce the riskof an exacerbation to that of any member of thegeneral population• decisions on individual cases can only be madeafter all the facts are considered and, if in anydoubt, psychiatric consultation may be sought.MuscoskeletalRationaleThe nature of Fire Communications Officers dutiesrequires that they may be seated for long periodsof time.StandardIndividuals reporting a history of back pain or aninjury that may be aggravated by prolonged sitting willneed to be carefully evaluated taking into account thejob demands, and may be required to obtain aspecialist report.GeneralWhile this standard should, in general, be adhered to,it is impossible to allow for all conditions. The standarddoes not consider every possible disease, and in thecase of other medical conditions not detailed above,they must be judged on their merits, having regard tothe demands of the job.Any variation to the standards should be supportedby written medical opinion or specialist referral whereappropriate. The specialist must be aware that theperson is, or is being for a Fire Communications Officerposition and should state that specifically in his/heropinion. It is not sufficientsimply to state that an individual is “fit for work”.Supporting specialist reports/consultations are atthe applicant’s expense.If you require further advice about any conditionoutlined above, please contact the QFRS Recruitment..QFRS Fire Communications Officer Recruitment Information Kit