DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF THE CLASS: This is highly responsible managerial, administrative
and technical work of a complex nature involving planning, supervising and implementing
operations necessary to effectively mobilize and safeguard the community in the event of natural
and man-made disasters, law enforcement emergencies, fire and other emergencies requiring the
services of emergency response personnel. Responsibilities include coordinating and
administrating mutual aid, Fire and EMS training programs, natural disaster and civil defense
operations. This position involves responsibility for overseeing all emergency service calls to the
County PSAP*/911 Center, managing and coordinating communications with eight police agencies,
seven emergency medical service agencies and thirteen fire departments, ensuring the effective
coordination of emergency services. The Commissioner supervises staff engaged in receiving
incoming communications from citizens, police agencies and other entities, and ensures
appropriate emergency services, police, fire, and ambulance are dispatched promptly and
accurately. Additionally, incumbent is responsible for planning, organizing, equipping and training
personnel, administering local natural disaster and civil defense programs, as well as planning and
supervising County programs relating to E911, the CAD System, and Emergency Medical Services,
including Advanced Life Support activities and performance. Work is performed under general
direction of the County Executive and in accordance with State and Federal laws, regulations and
guidelines. Performs related work as required.
TYPICAL WORK ACTIVITIES: (Illustrative only)
Plans programs to carry out Emergency Preparedness responsibilities required by State & Federal
laws;
Ensures proper emergency response to all natural and man-made emergencies including those of
enemy attack and acts of terrorism;
Develops, administers and updates a County Mutual Aid Plan for Police, Fire & Emergency Medical
Service response;
Directs the County’s PSAP/E911 operations, ensures the sole County Public Safety Answering Point
(PSAP) compliance, and maintains continuous status and location records of patrol and
emergency vehicles;
Acts as liaison between County Legislature, all Law Enforcement agencies, Fire Advisory Board,
various Fire & EMS Agencies, the County Executive and other County officials;
Oversees countywide emergency communications system, including the training of all Emergency
Services Dispatchers; assigning frequencies, purchasing equipment, ensuring compliance
with applicable FCC regulations;
Meets regularly with Police, EMS and Fire Authorities relative to training, procedures, protocols and
regional requirements;
Assumes duties as Incident Commander during declared Emergencies;
Establishes workable, practical emergency preparedness warning and information systems capable
of receiving warnings of impending enemy attack or impending natural disaster;
Oversees the County Fire Training Center and Emergency Operations Center, ensuring proper
supplies are on hand, and provides instruction relative to proper use of facilities;
Directs and administers County Emergency Response Teams;
Maintains county inventory of plans and equipment required for emergency preparedness
program;
Promotes programs of public safety, fire prevention, access to proper pre-hospital care and
emergency preparedness through educational programs and distribution of printed
materials;
COMMISSIONER OF EMERGENCY SERVICES (cont’d)
Monitors and administers State Fire & EMS Training programs, including scheduling and hiring of
instructional staff;
Maintains a countywide inventory of manpower and equipment and establishes liaison with
neighboring Counties for the development of mutual aid programs and procedures;
Establishes and/or maintains an effective Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC) program in
order to ensure proper response to local emergencies;
Develops plans and estimates for the procurement of specialized equipment;
Keeps abreast of changing technology and concepts relative to Police, Fire, EMS and Emergency
Planning;
Recruits volunteers for emergency preparedness from the general public;
Directs implementation of sheltering programs to protect County residents as necessary;
Disseminates information to key officials, as well as the public;
Prepares reports and documents as required, including required submissions to State or Federal
officials after emergency declarations, grant documents, reports to County officials, etc.;
Performs a variety of related activities as required.
Typical Work Activities are intended only as illustrations of possible types of work that might be appropriately assigned to an
incumbent of this title. Work activities that do not appear above are not excluded as appropriate work assignments, as long as
they can be reasonably understood to be within the logical limits of the job.
FULL PERFORMANCE KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, ABILITIES AND PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS:
Thorough knowledge of current Law Enforcement principles and practices, including event
planning and response strategy to aid in response to events such as active shooter/active threat,
school safety incidents and mass gatherings; thorough knowledge of modern firefighting and fire
prevention techniques, technologies, strategies and tactics; thorough knowledge of laws, rules,
standards, regulations, goals and purposes of Statewide and County Mutual Aid plans; thorough
knowledge of rules, regulations, protocols and standards applicable to delivery of Emergency
Medical Services and pre-hospital care; familiarity with fire based EMS programs; familiarity with
Computer Assist Dispatch, 911, countywide radio procedures, and applicable FCC laws and
regulations; ability to plan for man-made or natural disasters; ability to work within Federal
Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and State Emergency Management Office (SEMO)
guidelines; ability to establish and maintain effective relationships with Federal, State, County and
local officials, the news media, and all levels of the Police, Fire & EMS communities; ability to plan
and coordinate a complex community response to all emergencies in Putnam County; ability to
speak before public audiences on matters of Police, Fire, EMS and Emergency planning; ability to
supervise the work of others; initiative, tact, sound professional judgment.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
To be determined by the County Executive.
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:
1. Bachelor’s degree, or higher, and seven (7) years of high-level law enforcement experience
which shall have included at least three (3) years of experience in the oversight of emergency
planning, preparedness, and communications (including police dispatch).
2. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) National Incident Management System (NIMS)
training, ICS-400 level, within one (1) year of appointment.
3. Certification as a New York State or National Registry EMT or higher medical training at time of
appointment preferred.
*PSAP = Public Safety Answering Point
8/99; 1/15; 3/16; 1/26
Unclassified
