In an emergency, when a 9-1-1 call is made, emergency dispatchers keep a cool head to ensure that callers get the help they need, while providing a reassuring presence over the phone. Police, fire, and ambulance dispatchers answer emergency and nonemergency calls. They quickly determine the type of emergency, its location and the response needed, then relay that information to the appropriate emergency responders. They also give medical instructions or advice on how to stay safe until help arrives. Dispatchers monitor and track emergency vehicles, coordinate responses with other local communication centers, and keep detailed records of calls. Dispatch work is stressful. Dispatchers often work long shifts taking many calls… under pressure to respond quickly and calmly… sometimes handling life-threatening situations. Most work for local government, in centers called public safety answering points. Some work in law enforcement agencies and fire departments. Shifts include weekends, evenings and holidays. Dispatchers generally need a high school diploma, U.S. citizenship, and dispatcher certification. Candidates may be required to pass a typing test, background check, drug tests, lie detector, and hearing and vision tests. Spanish language skills are a plus.
What they do:
Operate telephone, radio, or other communication systems to receive and communicate requests for emergency assistance at 9-1-1 public safety answering points and emergency operations centers. Take information from the public and other sources regarding crimes, threats, disturbances, acts of terrorism, fires, medical emergencies, and other public safety matters. May coordinate and provide information to law enforcement and emergency response personnel. May access sensitive databases and other information sources as needed. May provide additional instructions to callers based on knowledge of and certification in law enforcement, fire, or emergency medical procedures.
On the job, you would:
Question callers to determine their locations and the nature of their problems to determine type of response needed.
Determine response requirements and relative priorities of situations, and dispatch units in accordance with established procedures.
Record details of calls, dispatches, and messages.
Business
customer service
administrative services
Safety and Government
public safety and security
law and government
Communications
telecommunications
multimedia
Arts and Humanities
English language
Basic Skills
listening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions
talking to others
Social
understanding people's reactions
changing what is done based on other people's actions
Problem Solving
noticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it
Verbal
communicate by speaking
listen and understand what people say
Attention
pay attention to something without being distracted
do two or more things at the same time
Ideas and Logic
notice when problems happen
make general rules or come up with answers from lots of detailed information
Visual Understanding
quickly compare groups of letters, numbers, pictures, or other things
People interested in this work like activities that include data, detail, and regular routines.
They do well at jobs that need:
Stress Tolerance
Dependability
Attention to Detail
Self Control
Integrity
Concern for Others
You might use software like this on the job:
Office suite software
Corel WordPerfect Office Suite
Microsoft Office
Presentation software
Microsoft PowerPoint
Data base user interface and query software
National Crime Information Center NCIC database
National Law Enforcement Telecommunications System NLETS
high school diploma/GED usually needed
Get started on your career:
New job opportunities are very likely in the future.
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