How to become an Emergency Dispatcher

Are you interested in starting a new career as an Emergency (or Police, Fire, EMS 9-1-1) Dispatcher? There are always openings in this field of public service. Dispatching can be a high-stress job when handling emergency calls and one must have nerves of steel. However, if you think you have what it takes follow these simple steps to become an Emergency Dispatcher.

Instructions

1. You must have a clean criminal record.

   Majority of Dispatchers must be NCIC certified operators, and no one with a criminal record can become NCIC certified.

   You must be able to pass a thorough background check. Some agencies require candidates to pass polygraph or voice-stress-analysis tests, some hire private investigators, and some conduct routine background investigations.

   The requirements vary by department.

2. You must be a multi-tasker!

   The importance of being able to multi-task can not be stressed enough.

   Dispatchers have to answer the phone (which can have 1-10+ lines), answer 9-1-1 (which can have multiple inbound lines), answer the radio, answer a two-way cell phone (like Nextel), enter information into the computer system or CAD, enter information into NCIC, and perform a wide variety of tasks at the same time... and we're not allowed to get confused!

   Therefore, being a multi-tasker is one of the most important qualities of a Dispatcher.

3. Your speaking voice and accent must be clearly understandable.

   Departments generally pick individuals who have deep, clear, and concise voices that are easily understood.

   While Dispatchers with mouse-like, squeaky, or low voices do exist: they are few and far between.

   Departments prefer Dispatchers who do not have strong accents because generally people with strong accents pronounce words differently than others with slight accents or no recognizable accent.

4. You must be computer literate.

   You must be able to type...and fast.

   While some departments do not have a WPM requirement others have 35-50WPM requirements.

5. If you meet the above requirements, you must at least be 18 years old and some departments require that Dispatchers be 21 years of age or older.

   Generally speaking most entry-level Dispatchers are 25 years of age or older.

6. You must be able to adapt to an environment that is constantly changing. You might be counting ceiling tiles one minute and dispatching personnel to a five car vehicle accident moments later.

   You must be willing to work 8, 10, or 12 hour shifts.

   You must be willing to work all holidays for at least the first five years of your career (until you gain some senority).

   You must be willing to work evenings and nights.

   You must be willing to accept last minute schedule changes. For example: You're scheduled to work eight hours, but a co-worker calls in sick. Your eight hour shift just turned into a 12 or 16 hour shift.

   You must be willing to come to work at all hours of the day and night in case someone takes vacation time or sick leave.

   You must be willing to remain at your department or be subject to call-out for emergencies when extra personnel is needed.

   You must be willing to travel and participate in training.

7. You must handle stress well. Additionally, you must be able to handle insults, name calling, belittling, rumors, and idiocracy.

   Dispatchers are "thick skinned" people, and weaklings typically don't make it.

   You must be willing to be the last person someone ever speaks with because you might answer the last call an individual ever makes.

   You must be willing to console victims and speak with confidence when you tell people that help is on the way.

   You must be willing to give every caller a polite answer and that includes everyone from the crazy on the corner, Grandma who is looking for her dog, the Mother who wants to know where her 40 year old son is, the irate individual, the drunk, the stupid, and everyone in between.

8. If you think that you can satisfy the requirements, apply for positions at your local e911/911 call center, Police Dept, Sheriff's Dept, ambulance service or Fire Dept. Some job postings can be found online so conduct searches for 911 jobs or Dispatch jobs and filter your results.