Expanded Dispatch Support Dispatcher

EDSD Incident Position Description

The Expanded Dispatch Support Dispatcher (EDSD) works in an expanded dispatch organization to relieve the host agency’s dispatch unit by focusing exclusively on large or complex incidents. The EDSD reports to the Expanded Dispatch Supervisory Dispatcher (EDSP) or another assigned supervisor. The EDSD 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.

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.
• Independently plan and carry out work. Address issues in accordance with instructions, policies, previous training, and accepted practices.
• Provide guidance to Expanded Dispatch Recorders (EDRC).

Perform Expanded Dispatch Support Dispatch-Specific Duties

• Perform duties in accordance with local, geographic area, and national policies, procedures, and guides.
• Review and follow local dispatch standard operating procedures.
• Use standard terminology, symbols, designators, and acronyms.
• Demonstrate knowledge of expanded dispatch positions and structure.
• Review priorities for incidents and available resources with the supervisor.
• Review or establish resource tracking procedures.
• Review the status of all orders in the assigned functional area.
• Process information as directed.
• Utilize established methods and ordering channels.
• Review the local service and supply plan.
• Process Resource Orders and supplemental forms through the appropriate ordering channels.
• Prioritize work and make decisions concerning functional area.
• Receive and process new requests from the Incident Commander (IC), Ordering Manager (ORDM), EDSP, or other local dispatch personnel.
• Create new resource orders.
• Update and validate resources status.
• Place and/or fill pending requests.
• Release and/or reassign resources.
• Obtain travel information for/from mobilizing or demobilizing resources.
• Confirm orders.
• Utilize contracts, agreements, and other existing sources according to local procedures to obtain resources.
• Utilize reference guides to validate resource capabilities, limitation, or regulations governing use.
• Determine the availability of a resource to meet the specific mission requested by the incident.
• Obtain information necessary to request or process a non-commercial logistical flight for personnel or cargo and flight follow to ensure flight has arrived safely.
• Reassign resources from one or more functional dispatch areas to support an incident.
• Mobilize resources from one or more of the functional dispatch areas to support an incident.
• Utilize established local systems to compile and maintain current status of resources.
• Provide information necessary for intelligence support.
• Follow various procedures for obtaining resources in a timely fashion in accordance with the needs of the incident.
• Consider safe and cost-effective results when mobilizing and demobilizing resources.

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
• Establish and maintain positive interpersonal and interagency working relationships.
• Relay staffing and equipment needs to work supervisor.
• Conduct and/or participate in After Action Reviews (AAR).

Manage Risk

• Monitor for signs and symptoms of fatigue, illness, or injury. Mitigate appropriately.
• 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 Time Report, OF-288 (Watch: How to Correctly fill out an Incident Time Report)
• Review resource orders for completeness, proper documentation, and accuracy.

Demobilize

• Anticipate demobilization, identify excess resources, coordinate with operations to prepare demobilization schedule, and communicate with supervisor.
• Demobilize resources from one or more of the functional areas.
• Identify resources available for reassignment.
• Ensure demobilization procedures for the incident or local agency 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.