Committees
Training Committee
Training Committee Statement of Goals
To provide a forum of resources from which Communicators can draw valuable tools, tips and information in support of job performance objectives and standards. Core competencies (skills specific) will be explored as well as the changing and emerging issues that impact fire and emergency services.
Job Performance Objectives and Standards
- Receive and Process Emergency Calls
- Provide Logistical Support to the Incident
- Maintain Radio Communication
- Process Incident Documentation
- Maintain Emergency Communication Centre Equipment and Facilities
- Maintain Information Systems
- Perform Public Relations and Public Education Activities
- Perform Non-Emergency & Administrative Duties and Training
- Maintain Communication Centre Security
- Demonstrates Commitment to Personal and Professional Development
Short Term Goal - to provide training information to Communicators.
Long Term Goal – to support and assist with the implementation of the certification process for Communicators in the Ontario Fire Service
Level of Commitment:
- Creating submissions - 2 to 3 hrs monthly
- Checking website/responding to inquiries – 30 minutes to 1 hour weekly
Chairperson: Wendy Camber
If you are interested in participating or have information relating to this issue, please contact a member of the Executive Board.
Quality Assurance Committee
QUALITY ASSURANCE COMMITTEE – STATEMENT OF GOALS
Quality Assurance is the act of providing confidence that the service we provide is fulfilling the requirements and meet the departmental benchmarks or industry standards that we are measured against.
Feedback – every adult requires feedback to learn and the importance of feedback cannot be understated. Feedback, just like training, must be provided on an ongoing basis, not just once a year. Employees who are trained to meet a certain standard, then held accountable to that standard and are duly recognized for meeting it, are more likely to meet the standard than not.
The purpose of this committee is to obtain information from various sizes of communication centres and determine what type of quality assurance measurements they have in place. Do any communications centres have a Quality Assurance Program that they are using? What comments do they have regarding this program.
Information will be gathered and results placed on the website as well as shared with the Ontario Association of Fire Chiefs.
Departments just embarking on Quality Assurance or an associated program will obtain valuable information and those that are considering a QA program will be able to do some research.
GOAL
To be a valued resource for Communications Centres and Fire Chiefs who are embarking on a new Quality Assurance Program or would like to review what other Agencies are doing.
TIME COMMITMENT
Teleconferences and emails to get the committee set up and information gathered. Ultimately information to be made available in a report form on our website. 2 to 4 months to project completion., anticipated hour of 2 to 4 a month.
Chairperson: Sue Dawson
If you are interested in participating or have information relating to this issue, please contact a member of the Executive Board.
PROVINCIAL AND FEDERAL LONG SERVICE MEDALS COMMITTEE
Communicators have not been consistently approved to receive the Provincial and/or Federal Long Service Medals.
The goal of the Medals Committee is to review the guidelines and criteria for qualifying for the Federal and Provincial medals. By reviewing the application process we will determine what the expectations should be for communicators receiving these medals and work with the OAFC to achieve consistentcy across the Province.
We plan to work toward having the criteria better aligned with the definition of a firefighter as described in FPPA 1997 Part 1 which includes support divisions such as Communications (and Fire Prevention).
This process should result in more consistent distribution of the medals to all those entitled based on their contribution to the fire service.
TIME COMMITMENT
As required by the Chairperson of the Committee.
Chairperson: Karen MacKinnon
If you are interested in participating or have information relating to this issue, please contact a member of the Executive Board.
COMMITTEE MEMBERS NEEDED!
Committees will soon be struck to begin work on the two Resolutions listed below. Much of the work will be conducted via conference call or e-mail, so geographic proximity won’t be an issue.
Committees will be comprised of the OFCA, the OAFC, the OFM and field expert members as required. The bulk of the research will be conducted by OFCA members. The research and recommendations that we complete will be presented to the OAFC and the OFM for final approval. Please take advantage of these prospects for networking and learning.
We are seeking representation from all parts of Ontario. You don’t have to be a content expert to work on either committee. What you do require is the ability to visualize how much further ahead our profession will be with the goals of both committees accomplished.
Or perhaps you don’t want to get involved at the committee level, but do want to provide input on one or both projects. We will be posting surveys pertaining to both Resolutions in the near future. Please take the opportunity to move our profession forward by filling the surveys out and returning them to us.
If you are interested in helping out, please contact Terry Hubbard at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Resolutions
ONTARIO FIRE COMMUNICATORS ASSOCIATION
Resolution # 10-01 Date: September 27, 2010
Subject: REVIEW OF EMERGENCY SERVICE COMMUNICATORS PROGRAMS DELIVERED AT POST SECONDARY LEVEL
Submitted By:
Moved: Seconded:
WHEREAS:
Many Ontario Post-Secondary Educational Facilities are now providing courses relating to Emergency Service Communications
AND WHEREAS:
The Ontario Fire Communicators Association (OFCA) has experienced significant differences in the abilities of graduating students who have attended these Emergency Service Communicators Programs.
AND WHEREAS:
The Ontario Fire Communicators Association believe there should be some consistency in training objectives and learning outcomes amongst these types of courses being delivered.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED:
That the Ontario Association of Fire Chief’s be approached to look at a method of reviewing and endorsing Emergency Service Communicator programs to facilitate a similar process as the one used to endorse pre-service fire programs throughout the Province of Ontario.
ONTARIO FIRE COMMUNICATORS ASSOCIATION
Resolution # 10-02 Date: September 27, 2010
Subject: Standardized Training, Educational Opportunities and Certification for Communicators in the Province of Ontario
Submitted By:
Moved: Seconded:
WHEREAS:
There is currently no standardized training or educational opportunities for Fire Communicators in the Province of Ontario.
AND WHEREAS:
There is currently no certification for Fire Communicators similar to the current Firefighter process.
AND WHEREAS:
The Ontario Fire Communicators’ Association is willing to participate in any way and is prepared to provide whatever technical or operational support that this process may require.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED:
That the Ontario Association of Fire Chief’s be approached to look at what steps can be taken to research, endorse and participate in the creation of a training and certification model similar to those of other branches of the Ontario Fire Service.
