Data Analyst - Fire & EMS

About the Role

The Columbus Consolidated Government (CCG) is seeking a civilian Data Analyst to join the Fire-EMS Division. Reporting to the Business Analyst, this role is crucial for leveraging data analysis techniques to support departmental reporting, strategic planning, and operational enhancements. The Data Analyst will work across various divisions to transform raw data into actionable intelligence, directly supporting leadership decisions and improving service delivery through evidence-based practices. This position offers broad visibility into all aspects of department operations.

Major Duties and Responsibilities

The Data Analyst is responsible for developing, implementing, and managing programs and systems that align with high-performance strategies, promote the department's mission, vision, and values, and facilitate the execution of the Fire Chief's vision. Key responsibilities include:

• Analyzing response and turnout times, incident types, and unit availability to identify operational inefficiencies and suggest deployment improvements.
• Forecasting call volume trends to inform station siting, staffing levels, and fleet management.
• Utilizing spatial and historical data to pinpoint high-risk populations, properties, and areas.
• Evaluating the effectiveness of Community Risk Reduction (CRR) initiatives, such as Mobile Integrated Healthcare (MIH) programs.
• Creating interactive dashboards and heat maps to guide targeted prevention strategies.
• Monitoring patient care trends, high utilizers, transport times, and clinical metrics for EMS Quality Assurance/Quality Improvement (QA/QI).
• Analyzing MIH program data to demonstrate return on investment (ROI) and impact on system load.
• Building and maintaining dynamic dashboards, scorecards, and automated reports using tools like Power BI and ArcGIS.
• Integrating data from various systems including CAD, NERIS, RMS, EPCR, GIS, and HR for a comprehensive performance overview.
• Enhancing situational awareness during major events or special operations with real-time data feeds.
• Providing data-backed performance metrics and outcome projections to support funding requests.
• Tracking and reporting on grant-funded initiatives to ensure compliance and demonstrate success.
• Facilitating data sharing with partner agencies to support interoperability.
• Contributing to public transparency by presenting department performance data in clear, understandable visuals.

Additional Duties

• Participate in various internal and external meetings, representing the Fire Department's interests.
• Collaborate effectively with internal and external stakeholders to advance departmental goals.
• Continuously seek innovative solutions to organizational challenges and opportunities.
• Prepare and deliver accurate written reports, correspondence, and other materials to leadership and the public.
• Develop business intelligence by identifying, visualizing, and monitoring performance metrics across department divisions.
• Support accreditation management by ensuring compliance with reporting requirements for accrediting bodies.
• Develop and maintain organizational dashboards using available technology to support program management and executive situational awareness.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Minimum Requirements

• A minimum of two to four years of professional experience in data analysis, business intelligence, or performance analytics, ideally within public safety, healthcare, or government sectors.
• Proven experience working with large and/or real-time datasets, including sources like Computer-Aided Dispatch (CAD), Records Management Systems (RMS), and EMS/transport data.
• Proficiency in data analysis and business intelligence software such as Power BI and SQL, with the ability to create and interpret reports and visualizations for diverse audiences.
• Demonstrated ability to manage and execute complex analytical projects independently from start to finish.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, capable of presenting data-driven insights effectively to leadership, officials, and the public.
• High attention to detail, ensuring data accuracy, integrity, and consistency.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, including advanced Excel skills, Word, PowerPoint, and Outlook.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, Statistics, Data Science, or a related field from an accredited institution.
• Must be a U.S. citizen or a resident alien eligible to work in the United States.
• Successful completion of a drug screening and comprehensive background check.

Preferred Qualifications

• Previous experience in a Fire Service, EMS, or public safety environment.
• Experience supporting Fire Service accreditation processes (e.g., CPSE/CFAI standards).
• Familiarity with ArcGIS (ESRI) or other GIS platforms for spatial data analysis and mapping.

Additional Information

This is an on-site position located at the Columbus Fire-EMS Department Headquarters. Employees are expected to collaborate effectively, demonstrate the department's values, uphold the highest ethical standards, and continuously strive for operational improvements in a data-driven, customer-focused environment.