As a Fire Communications Officer (FCO), you'll offer that support on a much wider scale, as the community's first point of contact in an emergency.
Your guidance in those critical first minutes of an emergency will provide individuals with support to minimize damage to people, property or environment.
Fire Communications Officers are an integral part of Queensland's emergency response, and work in the control room at our Communication Centres around the state.
They respond to calls for information and advice in emergency situations and coordinate the dispatch of emergency service resources and personnel.
Have you got what it takes?
- Responding to emergency triple zero (000) calls, a Fire Communications Officer needs to be the ultimate multi-tasker, able to quickly coordinate multiple streams of information with the appropriate responses when lives are on the line.
- Managing high stress, high stakes situations, you'll need excellent communication skills and the ability to keep yourself and others calm under pressure.
- You'll also need to be able to type and input data at speed, and with a high degree of accuracy.
In the course of a day, you may receive calls about
- Structural and environmental fires
- Motor vehicle entrapment
- Swift water and technical rescue
- Hazardous condition incidents
- Storms and natural disasters
In this role, the support you provide on a daily basis will make a huge impact on the lives of everyday Queenslanders.
Prerequisites - mandatory
- Minimum two (2) years full time paid general work experience, or equivalent
- Successful completion of Year 10 or equivalent
- Australian/New Zealand Citizen or Australian Resident Status
Prerequisites - highly desirable
- Current, valid Working with Children Blue Card from Blue Card Services Queensland
Due to possible delays and lengthy application process associated with obtaining a Blue Card, it is highly recommended applicants apply for a Blue Card as soon as possible or at time of application for the role of fire communications officer, to ensure requirements of the State Panel Interview can be met.
Fire Communications Officers must also contend with the potential disruption the role may have on their personal lives.
- Most often work 4 days on 4 days off with 2x10hr day shifts followed by 2x14hr night shifts
- Regularly work weekends, public holidays, including Christmas, and are called for duty during major emergencies
Prior to making an application
Please note that an email address and internet access will be required to submit your application and receive ongoing communication throughout the selection process. You will not be able to change your email address or update your personal details once you have submitted your application. The typing test and online testing will require access to a personal computer - it cannot be performed on a mobile phone, tablet or work computer.
Note:
Fire Communications Officer roles are offered on a Permanent Part-Time basis only, with the exception of Central Region – Rockhampton, where roles are offered as Permanent Full-Time.
Permanent Part-Time FCO roles would include a minimum of 0.25 of full-time hours (i.e. 20 hours of 80 hours/fortnight); percentage of agreed hours is negotiated with the regional centre; increased hours may be offered subject to operational activities.
Casual FCO hours may vary week to week; there are no set amount of hours or days.
Fire Communications Centre Contacts
There are seven (7) Fire Communications Centres across Queensland that you can attend to gain a greater understanding of the role. They are Brisbane, Cairns, Kawana, Rockhampton, Southport, Townsville and Toowoomba.
Please email your preferred Fire Communications Centre from the list to request an onsite visit.
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Fire Communications Officer - Lauren