Public Safety Telecommunicators

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.

Conventional occupations frequently involve following set procedures and routines. These occupations can include working with data and details more than with ideas. Usually there is a clear line of authority to follow.

Conventional

Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.

Realistic

Enterprising occupations frequently involve starting up and carrying out projects. These occupations can involve leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes they require risk taking and often deal with business.

Enterprising

Social occupations frequently involve working with, communicating with, and teaching people. These occupations often involve helping or providing service to others.

Social

Investigative occupations frequently involve working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. These occupations can involve searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.

Investigative

Artistic occupations frequently involve working with forms, designs and patterns. They often require self-expression and the work can be done without following a clear set of rules.

Artistic

Job Zone Two: Some Preparation Needed

Police, Fire, and Ambulance Dispatchers

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.

Scan status charts and computer screens, and contact emergency response field units to determine emergency units available for dispatch.

Receive incoming telephone or alarm system calls regarding emergency and non-emergency police and fire service, emergency ambulance service, information, and after-hours calls for departments within a city.

Enter, update, and retrieve information from teletype networks and computerized data systems regarding such things as wanted persons, stolen property, vehicle registration, and stolen vehicles.

Relay information and messages to and from emergency sites, to law enforcement agencies, and to all other individuals or groups requiring notification.

Observe alarm registers and scan maps to determine whether a specific emergency is in the dispatch service area.

Maintain access to, and security of, highly sensitive materials.

Monitor various radio frequencies, such as those used by public works departments, school security, and civil defense, to stay apprised of developing situations.

Corel WordPerfect Office Suite

Microsoft Office software

Microsoft PowerPoint

911 system information databases

Law enforcement information databases

National Crime Information Center (NCIC) database

National Law Enforcement Telecommunications System NLETS

Computer aided dispatch software

Spillman Technologies Spillman Computer-Aided Dispatch

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft Outlook

Microsoft Word

Web browser software

Intrado SchoolMessenger

Base station radios

Mainframe terminals

Teletype terminals

Automatic call distributing ACD consoles

Multi-line telephone systems

Radio scanners

Mobile data computers

Switchboards

911 Dispatcher/Shift Supervisor

"You haven't been properly trained," and "This is not working out."  "You will not make it."

Suzan Oliver

911 Dispatcher / Shift Supervisor

Education

Career

Career Roadmap

My work combines:

My work combines:

Government

Law

Helping People

Recommended Education

Hurdles

The Noise I Shed

From Peers:

Suzan Oliver

911 Dispatcher / Shift Supervisor

Education

Career

Career Roadmap

My work combines:

My work combines:

Government

Law

Helping People

Recommended Education

My career is related to what I studied. I'd recommend the path I took:

Hurdles

The Noise I Shed

From Peers:

Related Leaders