ESSEX COUNTY FIRE & RESCUE SERVICE

JOB DESCRIPTION

Job Title: Team Leader – Technical Rescue & Urban Search and Rescue (USAR)

Location: Technical Rescue & USAR Station, Currently at Lexden, Colchester

Reporting to: Station Manager (Unit Leader)

Purpose of Job:

To attend and provide specialist support at a range of operational incidents

as required. To assist the Unit Leader effecting day to day management of the duty personnel to achieve efficiency and effectiveness in all activities, particularly operations, training, community safety, administration and management.

Special Features

Contribute to the protection of people and making communities safer by:

· The acquisition, application and maintenance of specialist skills associated with the role of a Technical Rescue & USAR Technician

· The provision of specialist operational support at Local, Regional and National incidents associated with the role of the Technical Rescue & USAR Team

· Development and maintenance of an effective Integrated emergency management capability applicable to Technical Rescue & USAR incidents

· Developing Emergency Planning arrangements as required by Civil Contingencies legislation

· Participation and delivery of community safety programmes within the remit of Technical Rescue & USAR

· Participation and delivery of awareness, technical and familiarization training to brigade and non brigade personnel within the remit of Technical Rescue & USAR

· Successful applicants must be willing to provide a flexible approach to work and this may require them to provide extended periods of operational response in respect of major incidents that may occur both inside and outside the Fire and Rescue Service Area (appropriate arrangements to mitigate welfare issues will be implemented)

· In addition, successful applicants should be prepared to make a commitment to be a member of the Technical Rescue & USAR team for a period of no less than 3 years.

· This job description represents a statement of the principle duties of the post. It is inevitable that over time the nature of an individual job will change and existing duties may be lost or others gained without changing the general character of the duties or the level of responsibility entailed. As a result the Authority will expect this job description to be subject to revision

Main Duties

· As directed, to attend and provide specialist support and lead the teams at a range of operational incidents including:

o Structural collapse;

o Open area Searches

o Rope Rescue

o Confined Space rescues

o Heavy Transportation Incidents

o Incidents involving complex entrapments

· To develop and implement effective emergency planning arrangements, in accordance with Civil Contingencies legislation.

· To plan and assist in the preparation and delivery of Technical Rescue & USAR training to all FRS personnel, and personnel from other level 1 and level 2 agencies.

· To protect the public and make communities safe by the planning and delivery of specialist safety education and information

· Where appropriate, to attend specialist training courses in accordance with role

· To maintain skills through participation and receipt of routine training, both practical and theoretical

· To assume personal responsibility for familiarisation with identified national, regional and local risks and hazards

· To supervise and monitor the maintenance of emergency equipment to ensure a high state of readiness

· To identify and assess the training and developments needs of individuals and ensure maintenance of skills through participation and receipt of routine training, both practical and theoretical

· Plan and implement actions and procedures in response to operational incidents and events as team leader or in other incidents command support roles to ensure their effective resolution

· To effectively operate a wide range of equipment for prolonged periods of time

· To liaise with other FRSs and organisations to share information and best practice

· To assist in the completion of site specific risk assessments

· To assist in the research and development of new equipment

· To undertake other duties associated with the post of Technical Rescue & USAR Team Leader at the discretion of the CFO

· To maintain high standards of physical fitness

· To ensure the principles of equality of opportunity and fairness are upheld at all times