Emergency Responder (+Reserve List)

1.       SUMMARY

The Joint Intelligence and Security Division (JISD), under the leadership of the Assistant Secretary General (ASG) for Intelligence and Security, comprises two principal pillars: Intelligence, headed by the Deputy ASG for Intelligence; and the NATO Office of Security, (NOS) headed by the Deputy ASG for Security (DASG-S) / Director NOS.

The NOS is responsible for the overall coordination of NATO security member Nations, NATO civil and military bodies as well as international organisations and partner countries with which NATO cooperates. It is also responsible for the security of the NATO Headquarters (HQ) and its personnel in Brussels, for the protection of the Secretary General and for the security and safety of its personnel in and on missions abroad. The NOS comprises the Office of the Director, the Security Policy Oversight Branch (SPOB), the Protective Security & Emergency Services Branch (PSESB), the Security Intelligence Branch (SIB) and the Close Protection Unit (CPU). 

The PSESB’s mission is to ensure the security and safety of the NATO HQ, its people, infrastructure and information. In coordination with the Host Nation, it analyses threats and vulnerabilities, determines risks and takes action to minimise them. Its staff works in the following domains: access management; security regulations and infractions; physical security; security guarding; fire, first aid and CBRN; emergency procedures; information assurance; security awareness and “special events” (high-level meetings at the NATO HQ, and in NATO member and partner nations). It also provides advice on protective security issues in the NATO satellite offices.

The incumbent serves as the Emergency Responder in the HQ Fire and Emergency Services (HQFES) as part of a team responsible for response to incidents of fire, medical emergency aid, CBRN, environment related and technical rescue. Incumbent contributes to HQFES efforts in emergency prevention, HQ staff resilience to emergencies. Including contingency planning, training and exercises involving HQ staff evacuation elements. S/He works in a shift system including nights and weekends. He/she works under the supervision of the Senior Emergency Responder and according to Service needs should be able temporarily substitute Senior Emergency Responder as acting.

2.        QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

ESSENTIAL

The incumbent must:

• have a good general education (at least to lower secondary level);
• be trained as a professional firefighter and/or hold an emergency medical assistance certificate or a recognized equivalent;
• have medical screening as a driver of emergency vehicles;
• have had at least 5 years’ professional experience in a public or private fire and rescue of emergency medical service in a NATO country;
• have the necessary physical condition to respond in an emergency and to pass regular physical fitness tests corresponding to STANAG 7162;
• be trained in and able to use emergency intervention equipment, including for protection in CBRN situations (protective suits, breathing apparatus, defibrillators, oxygen therapy apparatus, radiometers, scintigraphs, explosimeters, chemical detectors, nocospray, etc) like used by HQFES;
• possess good knowledge of information technology;
• possess the following minimum levels in the official languages of NATO (English/French): V (“Advanced”) in one and I (“Beginner”) in the other;
• be prepared to work shifts outside normal working hours, if need be on public holidays and weekends, as well as during office hours.

DESIRABLE

The following would be considered assets:

• additional certificates or qualifications recognised by national fire  or emergency services;
• an emergency medical assistance certificate or a recognized equivalent, involving at least 120 hours of theory and 40 hours of ambulance practice;
• certification of attendance at a defensive driving course for emergency vehicles or equivalent experience;
• a good knowledge of the computerised fire safety management systems similar to ones that are in use at NATO HQ or the ability to acquire such knowledge rapidly;
• work experience in international aid missions and/or multi-cultural environment.

3.        MAIN ACCOUNTABILITIES

Planning and Execution

Carry out basic safety prevention measures (fire permits, evacuation, managing the density of occupation of the premises, etc) and firefighting, accident prevention and medical first aid for staff members and visitors at NATO Headquarters and worksites. Be able to carry out prevention and incident investigations on site, take CBRN samples and traces, carry out initial decontamination and evacuate danger areas. Manage the fire detection and suppression systems installed on the NATO site. Check and maintain CBRN, firefighting and first aid equipment. Perform other related duties, including training to HQ staff.

Information Management

Inform and communicate with staff and visitors for the purposes of preventing and combating safety incidents, avoiding accidents and providing first aid.

Draft factual reports in one of the two official NATO languages following interventions.

Expertise Development

Improve his/her knowledge and adapt to developments regarding firefighting, first aid and CBRN response. Follow continuing training and instruction courses in all these disciplines, i.e. 24 hrs/annum emergency medical assistance refresher training and basic life support (BLS) training; in-house and external firefighting training including real firefighting and victim rescue situations requiring the ability to operate in confined spaces using breathing equipment; and in-house and external CBRN protection training involving simulated responses. Undergo a compulsory annual assessment in respect of all professional training, as well as regular physical training assessed by annual tests, in order to be able to react rapidly to any emergency and maintain adequate preparedness.Seek to improve her/his knowledge and ability to adapt to new developments in the area of consequence management and mitigation. Follow training courses as appropriate and maintain professional development.Contribute to the training of new HQFES staff. 

Project Management

Perform emergency safety prevention, inspect the buildings (including the roofs, basements, worksites etc) and issue fire permits, giving any necessary information and technical advise to the contractor or HQ staff concerned. Contribute to the planning and conduct of shift drills, external shift training, cources for HQ staff and field exercises at HQ including evacuation elements. Work with internal and external stakeholders at tactical and operational level. Daily, maintain close cooperation with NOS HQ Security Force staff and other relevant HQ bodies.

Perform other related duties as instructed.

4.       INTERRELATIONSHIPS

The incumbent reports directly to the Senior Emergency Responder. They work closely with these colleagues and under their operational control, in accordance with the instructions given by the Head of HQFES.

Number of direct reports: N/a

Number of indirect reports: N/a.

5.       COMPETENCIES

The incumbent must possess the following competencies: 

• Achievement: Works to meet standards.
• Analytical Thinking: Breaks down problems;
• Customer Service Orientation: Takes personal responsibility for correcting problems;
• Flexibility: Acts with flexibility;
• Initiative: Is decisive in a time-sensitive situation;
• Organisational Commitment: Supports the Organization;
• Self-Control: Responds calmly;
• Teamwork: Co-operates.