Expanded Dispatch Coordinator

CORD Incident Position Description

The Expanded Dispatch Coordinator (CORD) works as coordinator between the local dispatch center, the expanded dispatch organization(s), and Incident Management Teams (IMT). The CORD may supervise the Expanded Dispatch Supervisory Dispatcher (EDSP) and reports to the local units Dispatch Center Manager, local unit Agency Administrator (AA), or another assigned supervisor. The CORD works in the Dispatch functional area.

Prepare and Mobilize

• Ensure individual readiness.
• Gather critical information pertinent to the assignment.
• Travel to and check in at assignment.
• Check in with incident supervisor and/or dispatch when arriving at the incident.
• Obtain briefing from previous shift/assignment position as necessary.
• Review Incident Action Plan (IAP) and obtain briefing, objectives, and intent from supervisor.

Build the Team

• Assemble and validate readiness of assigned personnel and equipment.
• Establish and communicate chain of command, reporting procedures, and risk management processes.
• Establish a common operating picture with supervisors and subordinates.
• Participate in operational briefings as directed.
• Brief assigned personnel.
• Identify assigned resources and maintain accountability.

Supervise and Direct Work Assignments

• Establish and communicate objectives, priorities, work assignments, and performance expectations.
• Identify, analyze, and use relevant situational information to make informed decisions and take appropriate actions.
• Adjust actions based on changing information and evolving situation awareness. Develop and implement contingency plans. Communicate changing conditions to assigned resources and supervisor.
• Ensure incident objectives and performance standards are met.
• Provide clear, concise instructions, and allow for feedback.
• Manage impacts from forces external to expanded dispatch operations. Identify political, social, economic, and sensitive issues early and deal with them in a professional and timely manner.

Perform Expanded Dispatch Coordinator-Specific Duties

• Perform duties in accordance with local, geographic area, and national policies, standards, procedures, and guides.
• Use standard terminology, symbols, designators, and acronyms.
• Review and follow local dispatch standard operating procedures.
• Review or establish which incidents are supported by expanded dispatch and what incoming orders expanded dispatch is responsible to process.
• Plan for expected duration of each incident and expanded dispatch operations.
• Acquire resource ordering access for local center and establish roles.
• Review or establish the expanded organizational structure and communicate it to subordinates.
• In absence of an EDSP perform EDSP duties.
• Monitor performance of incident support organization and dispatch/coordination systems.
• Interact successfully with AAs, fire management personnel, Multi-Agency Coordinating (MAC) Group, IMTs, comptroller, contractors, and/or other entities/parties.
  • Describe and interpret contracts, agreements, Memorandums of Understanding (MOU), and plans.
  • Conduct operations within policy/legal constraints.
• Interface with public affairs.
• Ensure timely and accurate reporting and briefings occur.
• Advise AAs and/or MAC Group and facilitate implementation of their decisions.
• Gather and analyze pertinent information to set priorities and allocate resources as authorized.
  • Communicate direction to expanded dispatch and other affected entities.
• Review or identify the final package requirements for each incident based on local agency requirements and IMT specifications.
• Ensure compliance with established dispatch protocols.
• Appropriately describe and interpret contracts, agreements, MOUs, and plans.

Communicate and Coordinate

• Follow established processes and chain of command for collecting, producing, and distributing information.
• Ensure clear understanding of expectations and timely communication within and across Incident Command System (ICS) functional areas and chain of command.
• Establish communications and exchange necessary briefings/information with the following:
  • Support resources.
  • Adjacent resources/other dispatchers.
  • Supervisor.
  • Other ICS functional areas.
• Conduct and/or participate in After Action Reviews (AAR).
• Ensure effective exchange of information between expanded dispatch and other entities and support organizations.
  • Local initial attack dispatch
  • IMTs
  • Geographic Coordination Center (GACC)
  • Buying Team(s)
  • Administrative Payment Teams
  • Transportation unit
  • Cache
  • MAC Group(s)
• Schedule and conduct briefings with incident support organization to ensure complete information exchange.
• Ensure effective exchange of information between agency management and expanded dispatch organization.
  • Expectations of management.
  • Delegated authorities.
  • Advise management, identify alternatives, and make recommendations.
  • Implement management direction.
• Coordinate with local agency dispatch to maximize opportunities for training assignments.

Manage Risk

• Locate emergency guides and plans such as search and rescue, continuity of operations, hazardous materials, and others. Identify responsibilities for activation of these varied emergency plans and ensure that assigned resources are prepared to execute the emergency plans.
• Monitor for signs and symptoms of fatigue, illness, or injury. Mitigate appropriately.
• Account for location, health, safety, and welfare of assigned personnel.
• Submit accident/incident reports with pertinent forms (SAFECOM, SAFENET, agency-specific forms) through established chain of command.

Document

• Complete, authorize, ensure timeliness of, and route as required:
  • Meeting minutes.
  • Reports.
  • Press releases.
  • Mobile Food and Shower Service Request Form.
  • Flight requests/flight plans.
  • NWCG Passenger/Crew and Cargo Manifest, PMS 245.
  • Detail requests.
  • General Message (ICS 213).
  • Local forms (emergency message/demobilization form, travel request form, etc.).
  • Incident Personnel Performance Rating (ICS 225 WF).
  • Incident Time Report, OF-288 (Watch: How to Correctly fill out an Incident Time Report).
• Review resource orders for completeness, proper documentation, and accuracy.
• Manage records and files associated with expanded dispatch.
• Complete final incident package for return to unit.

Demobilize

• Anticipate demobilization, identify excess resources, coordinate with operations to prepare demobilization schedule, and communicate with supervisor.
• Plan for demobilization. Brief assigned resources on demobilization procedures and responsibilities.
• Ensure incident and agency demobilization procedures and work/rest driving standards are followed.
• Return equipment and supplies to appropriate unit. 
• Complete demobilization checkout process before being released from the incident.
• Upon demobilization, report status to home unit including reassignment or estimated time of arrival (ETA) to home unit.
• During transfer of command:
  • Ensure continuity of operations.
  • Exchange critical safety information.
  • Communicate transfer of authority through established chain of command.