DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF THE CLASS: This is highly responsible managerial, administrative and technical work of a complex nature involving planning, supervising and implementing operations necessary to effectively mobilize and safeguard the community in the event of natural and man-made disasters, fires and other emergencies requiring the services of emergency response personnel.  Responsibilities include coordinating and administrating mutual aid, Fire and EMS training programs, natural disaster and civil defense operations and centralized communications system. Additionally, incumbent is responsible for planning, organizing, equipping and training personnel, administering local natural disaster and civil defense programs, as well as planning and supervising County programs relating to E911, the CAD System, and Emergency Medical Services, including Advanced Life Support activities and performance.  Work is performed under general direction of the County Executive and in accordance with State and Federal laws, regulations and guidelines. Performs related work as required.

TYPICAL WORK ACTIVITES: (Illustrative only)

• Develops, administers and updates a County Mutual Aid Plan for Fire & Emergency Medical Service response;
• Plans programs to carry out Emergency Preparedness responsibilities required by State & Federal laws, including participation in Power Authority and Indian Point drills;
• Insures proper emergency response to all natural and man-made emergencies including those of enemy attack and acts of terrorism;
• Maintains county inventory of plans and equipment required for emergency preparedness program;
• Promotes programs of Fire Prevention, access to proper pre‑hospital care and emergency preparedness through educational programs and distribution of printed materials;
• Monitors and administers State Fire & EMS Training programs, including scheduling and hiring of instructional staff;
• Acts as liaison between County Legislature, Fire Advisory Board, various Fire & EMS Agencies, with the County Executive and other County officials;
• Oversees countywide emergency communications system, assigning frequencies, purchasing equipment, insuring compliance with applicable FCC regulations;
• Assumes duties as Incident Commander when acting as Regional Fire Administrator or during declared Emergencies;
• Meets regularly with EMS and Fire Authorities relative to training, procedures, protocols and regional requirements;
• Directs implementation of sheltering programs to protect County residents as necessary;
• Recruits volunteers for emergency preparedness from the general public;
• Establishes workable, practical emergency preparedness warning and information systems capable of receiving warnings of impending enemy attack or impending natural disaster;
• Disseminates information to key officials, as well as the public;
• Operates the County Fire Training Center and Emergency Operations Center, ensures proper supplies are on hand, and provides instruction relative to proper use of facilities;
• Maintains a countywide inventory of manpower and equipment and establishes liaison with neighboring Counties for the development of mutual aid programs and procedures;
• Establishes and/or maintains an effective Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC) program in order to ensure proper response to local emergencies;
• Develops plans and estimates for the procurement of specialized equipment;
• Keeps abreast of changing technology and ideas relative to Fire, EMS and Emergency Planning;
• Directs and administers County Emergency Response Teams;
• Prepares reports and documents as required, including required submissions to State or Federal officials after emergency declarations, grant documents, reports to County officials, etc.;
• Performs a variety of related activities as required.

Typical Work Activities are intended only as illustrations of possible types of work that might be appropriately assigned to an incumbent of this title. Work activities that do not appear above are not excluded as appropriate work assignments, as long as they can be reasonably understood to be within the logical limits of the job.

FULL PERFORMANCE KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, ABILITIES AND PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS:   Thorough knowledge of modern firefighting and fire prevention techniques, technologies, strategies and tactics; thorough knowledge of laws, rules, standards, regulations, goals and purposes of Statewide and County Mutual Aid plans; thorough knowledge of rules, regulations, protocols and standards applicable to delivery of Emergency Medical Services and pre hospital care; familiarity with fire based EMS programs; familiarity with Computer Assist Dispatch, 911, countywide radio procedures, and applicable FCC laws and regulations; ability to plan for man-made or natural disasters; ability to work within Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and State Emergency Management Office (SEMO) guidelines; ability to establish and maintain effective relationships with Federal, State, County and local officials, the news media, all levels of the Fire & EMS community; ability to plan and coordinate a complex community response to all emergencies in Putnam County; ability to speak before public audiences on matters of Fire & EMS and Emergency planning; ability to supervise the work of others; initiative, tact, sound professional judgment.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:  Either

1. Bachelor’s degree and seven (7) years high-level experience in fire and emergency services, disaster management, emergency planning and preparedness and/or emergency operations, including supervisory experience; or
2. Associate degree and nine (9) years of the above-described experience; or
3. Graduation from high school or possession of a comparable diploma and twelve (12) years of the above-described experience; or
4. An equivalent combination of training and experience as defined above.

SUBSTITUTION NOTE: Military service may substitute for up to three (3) years of the above-described experience on a year-for-year basis.

PLEASE NOTE: Your degree must have been awarded by a college or university accredited by a regional, national, or specialized agency recognized as an accrediting agency by the U.S. Department of Education/U.S. Secretary of Education.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS: 

1. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) National Incident Management System (NIMS) training, ICS-400 level, within one (1) year of appointment.
2. Certification as a New York State or National Registry EMT or higher medical training at time of appointment preferred.

8/99; 1/15; 3/16

Unclassified