Regional Fire Dispatcher: 24/7 CAD & EMS

City-of-Downey,-Ca; Downey (CA); On-site; USD 28,000 - 41,000; Part time

Job summary

The City of Downey Fire Department seeks four part-time Regional Fire Communications Operators for the Downey Communications Center. The role handles emergency and non‑emergency calls, dispatches firefighting units via CAD, and tracks equipment and personnel status to ensure full system coverage.

Applicants must meet the education/experience criteria, be prepared to work varied shifts, including evenings and weekends, and comply with typing and certification requirements.

Qualifications

• High School diploma or equivalent.
• 1 year of Fire Dispatcher experience (desirable).
• 1 year combined dispatching or POST training (desirable).
• Two years clerical/administrative experience with public contact (desirable).
• Typing certification and 30 wpm typing speed highly preferred.

Responsibilities

• Receives and responds to requests for emergency services via 911 and other systems.
• Uses CAD to track equipment, personnel and apparatus for optimal coverage.
• Operates multiple radio frequencies and assigns units accordingly.
• Uses proper dispatch terminology when broadcasting and speaking to the public.
• Keeps command informed and maintains logs of communications activities.
• Familiarizes with street/building locations via mapping tools.
• Coordinates with police/fire agencies for multi‑agency incidents.
• Reports problems to radio/phone/computer systems promptly.
• Provides pre‑arrival EMS instructions per EMD program.

Skills

Typing 30 wpm

Multi-tasking

Public safety knowledge

Communication clarity

Bilingual desirable

Education

High School diploma

Fire Dispatcher experience 1 year

POST dispatcher training

Clerical/administrative 2 years

Tools

CAD system

Radio communications equipment

Job description

The City of Downey Fire Department seeks four part-time Regional Fire Communications Operators for the Downey Communications Center. The role handles emergency and non‑emergency calls, dispatches firefighting units via CAD, and tracks equipment and personnel status to ensure full system coverage.

Applicants must meet the education/experience criteria, be prepared to work varied shifts, including evenings and weekends, and comply with typing and certification requirements.