Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for an Emergency Services Officer

🎯 Role Definition

As an Emergency Services Officer (ESO), you are the cornerstone of our site's safety and emergency management framework. This multi-disciplinary role requires a proactive and highly skilled professional responsible for providing immediate medical care, fire suppression, and technical rescue services. You will be the first responder to any on-site incident, ensuring the health and well-being of all personnel while maintaining a constant state of operational readiness. This position is ideal for a decisive individual who remains calm under pressure and is committed to upholding the highest standards of safety and care in a dynamic, often remote, industrial environment.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Registered Paramedic or Ambulance Officer
Professional Firefighter (Municipal or Industrial)
Military Medic or Combat First Aider
Experienced Industrial First Aid Officer

Advancement To:

Emergency Response Coordinator or Team Leader
Emergency Services Superintendent
Site Safety Manager
Health, Safety, and Environment (HSE) Advisor

Lateral Moves:

Health and Safety Training Coordinator
Site Security and Logistics Lead
Occupational Health and Hygiene Technician

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Provide immediate and advanced pre-hospital emergency medical care to sick or injured personnel, including patient assessment, treatment, stabilization, and coordination of medical evacuations.
Act as the primary incident controller for on-site emergencies until relieved by a more senior officer, ensuring a structured and effective response is initiated.
Respond rapidly to all fire alarms and incidents, operating fixed and mobile firefighting equipment to control and extinguish fires across industrial, structural, and wildland settings.
Execute technical rescue operations in complex environments, including confined space entry, vertical rope rescue, road crash rescue, and hazardous materials (HAZMAT) incidents.
Conduct comprehensive risk assessments and issue necessary permits for high-risk work activities such as hot work, confined space entry, and working at heights.
Lead and participate in emergency response drills and scenario-based training exercises to maintain and enhance team competency and site-wide preparedness.
Operate and command a range of emergency response vehicles, including ambulances, fire tenders, and light-duty response units, ensuring they are driven safely under emergency conditions.
Establish and maintain effective communication channels with internal stakeholders and external emergency services during incidents.
Provide expert advice and support to site leadership during the management of emergency incidents, ensuring informed decisions are made.
Maintain detailed and accurate records of all medical treatments, incident responses, and patient care information in compliance with legal and company standards.

Secondary Functions

Conduct regular, thorough inspections and function tests on all emergency response equipment, including breathing apparatus, medical kits, firefighting systems, and rescue gear.
Perform routine drug and alcohol screening for the site workforce in accordance with company policy and legislative requirements, ensuring chain of custody is maintained.
Deliver accredited and non-accredited safety and emergency training to the workforce, including First Aid, CPR, and Fire Extinguisher use.
Actively participate in and contribute to incident investigations and root cause analysis to identify preventative measures and improve safety protocols.
Champion a positive safety culture across the site by engaging with personnel, promoting safe work practices, and conducting safety observations.
Manage the on-site medical clinic, including inventory control of medical supplies, pharmaceuticals, and consumables to ensure constant availability.
Develop and review site-specific Emergency Response Plans (ERPs), procedures, and standard operating guidelines to ensure they remain current and effective.
Provide on-site security services, including access control, patrolling, and responding to security-related incidents as required.
Assist in the management and mitigation of environmental incidents, such as chemical spills, to minimize impact.
Generate comprehensive shift reports and handover documentation detailing all activities, incidents, and equipment status for incoming crews.
Provide health and wellness promotion and advice to the site workforce, contributing to a healthier and more resilient team.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Certificate IV in Health Care (Ambulance) or Diploma of Paramedical Science.
Certificate III in Mine Emergency Response and Rescue, including core competencies in Fire Team Operations, Confined Space Rescue, and Vertical Rescue.
Nationally accredited Drug and Alcohol Screening Officer certification.
Proficiency in operating breathing apparatus (PUAFIR207B or equivalent).
HAZMAT response training (e.g., PUAFIR306B Identify, detect and monitor hazardous materials at an incident).
A valid, unrestricted manual Driver’s Licence, preferably with a Heavy Rigid (HR) class.
Strong technical knowledge of emergency response equipment maintenance and testing protocols.
Certificate IV in Training and Assessment (TAE40116) is highly desirable for delivering site training.

Soft Skills

Composure Under Pressure: Ability to think clearly, make critical decisions, and perform effectively in high-stress, life-threatening situations.
Exceptional Communication: Clear, concise, and calm communication skills, essential for managing incidents, instructing teams, and reassuring patients.
Problem-Solving: Strong analytical and critical thinking skills to rapidly assess complex situations and implement effective solutions.
Teamwork and Leadership: The ability to work seamlessly within a team and take a leadership role when required during an emergency.
Physical Fitness and Resilience: Must maintain a high level of physical fitness and mental resilience to cope with the demanding nature of the role.
Integrity and Professionalism: Upholding the highest ethical standards, maintaining confidentiality, and acting as a trusted safety advocate.
Adaptability: Flexibility to work in challenging and changing environments, including remote locations and rostered shift work.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

High School Diploma or equivalent, coupled with mandatory vocational certifications (as listed in Hard Skills).

Preferred Education:

Diploma or Advanced Diploma in Paramedical Science, Public Safety (Emergency Management), or a related discipline.

Relevant Fields of Study:

Paramedicine
Fire Science and Technology
Emergency Management
Workplace Health and Safety

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

A minimum of 3-5 years of demonstrated experience in a full-time emergency response role, such as a paramedic, firefighter, or in an industrial ESO capacity.

Preferred:

Prior experience working in the mining, oil and gas, or heavy industrial sectors.
Experience working in a remote, FIFO (Fly-In, Fly-Out) or DIDO (Drive-In, Drive-Out) capacity is highly advantageous.