Expanded Dispatch Supervisory Dispatcher

EDSP Incident Position Description

The Expanded Dispatch Supervisory Dispatcher (EDSP) works in an expanded dispatch organization to relieve the host agency’s dispatch unit by focusing exclusively on large or complex incidents(s). The EDSP reports to the local unit’s Dispatch Center Manager, local unit Agency Administrator (AA), or another assigned supervisor. The EDSP 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

• Monitor performance and provide immediate and regular feedback to assigned personnel.
• 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.
• Complete daily review of staffing requirements and ensure adequate personnel to meet needs.
• Develop schedule/assignments based on IAP or relevant plan, and adjust shift lengths, staffing levels, and work assignments based on changes to workload.
• Review and sign timekeeping documents.
• Identify and evaluate stressful situations or problem areas and make adjustments to correct the situation.

Perform Expanded Dispatch Supervisory Dispatcher-Specific Duties

• Perform duties in accordance with local, geographic area, and national policies, standards, procedures, and guides.
• Use standard terminology, symbols, designators, and acronyms.
• Follow local dispatch standard operating procedures.
• Obtain a copy of the expanded dispatch operations plan.
• Review or identify political, social, and economic concerns which may affect operations.
• Set up expanded operations:
  • Establish the expanded organizational structure and communicate it to assigned personnel.
  • Ensure reference guides/materials are available for each functional area.
  • Review or establish which incidents are supported by expanded dispatch and what incoming orders expanded 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.
  • Set expanded dispatch hours of operations working with the local Center Managers and any incident management teams (IMTs) to meet their needs and schedule dispatchers appropriately.
  • Continually evaluate the existing expanded dispatch organization and consider potential workload.
  • Evaluate and order supplies, facilities, and materials required to meet present and future needs of the expanded dispatch organization.
  • Order or release personnel in a timely manner to maintain a cost-effective organization.
  • Coordinate with local agency dispatcher to maximize opportunities for training assignments.
  • Establish housing and transportation availability for incoming dispatchers or resources that are not self-sufficient.
• Coordinate with IMTs and other support organizations:
  • Obtain briefing with IMT.
  • Establish IMT interaction protocols, including ordering times, and briefings.
  • Review or identify the final package requirements for each incident based on local agency requirements and IMT specifications.
  • Coordinate the role of expanded dispatch within the incident management operations for each incident.
  • Establish which position(s) on the incident has ordering authority.
  • Establish a consolidation of orders agreement with those authorized to place orders.
  • Agree on methods for updating and communicating the status of orders with incident personnel.
  • Discuss expectations for developing incident demobilization plans with the IMT, demobilization unit leader, or appropriate incident personnel.
  • Coordinate the safe, effective, and orderly demobilization of incident resources with the IMT.
  • Schedule appropriate closeout and/or transition meeting(s) with IMT, other incident support organizations, and/or agency management.
• Facilitate the processing of intelligence information:
  • Incident Status Summary (ICS 209) for accuracy, and updated information. Communicate needed updates or changes to the Intelligence Dispatcher, Center Manager, or dispatch floor supervisor.
  • Identify critical resource needs for each incident for the (ICS 209).
  • Recommend priorities to the Center Manager, AA, or Multi Agency Coordination (MAC) Group.
  • Recognize incident and resource allocation priorities and direct the processing of resource orders appropriately.
• Monitor length of commitment and seek opportunities for reassignment of incident resources.
• Reassign or demobilize expanded dispatch personnel.
• Oversee the processing of resource orders and supplemental forms through the appropriate ordering channels.
• Utilize contracts, agreements, and other existing sources according to local procedures to obtain resources.
• Be prepared to work a functional area desk if there are position shortages.
• Restock expanded dispatch supplies.

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.
• 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)
• Ensure coordination between functional areas within the expanded dispatch organization.
  • Ensure effective interface of information between agency management and expanded dispatch organization, including expectations of management and delegated authorities.
  • Advise management, identify alternatives, and make recommendations.
  • Implement management direction.
• Coordinate with local agency dispatch to maximize opportunities for training assignments.
• Conduct and/or participate in After Action Reviews (AAR).

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:
  • 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.