Train To Be A Public Safety Dispatcher

By Author: William Hauselberg
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A public safety dispatcher has many responsibilities, ranging from assigning calls for service to police officers on the street to comforting callers who are faced with life and death situations. Those who are seeking a career in this field are required by most municipalities to undergo comprehensive public safety training. Some agencies provide training in their own facilities, but a growing number of schools are offering courses that will give students the necessary tools to become competent and responsive dispatchers as well.

The nature of the job

Police dispatch training programs often include courses that range from introducing students to topics such as how to react to callers who are in a variety of emotional states to effectively communicating with first responders who are assigned a particular call. Dispatchers must be able to receive an enormous amount of information in a short amount of time and relay details of a particular situation as effectively as possible.

One of the most fundamental roles that dispatchers play is reassuring callers who are facing or reporting emergencies. Additionally, ...
... they must be able to quickly assign these calls for service to the appropriate resources in the field. All of this must take place in a matter of minutes, and public safety training programs are designed to give students the necessary tools that will prepare them to provide this vital link.

What training provides

Police dispatch training courses introduce students to policies and procedures that designed to provide quality and reliable service. Trainees need to be quick thinkers, remain calm under pressure and offer service that has no margin for error.

Schools generally provide programs that lead to a certificate which ensures students are meeting specific state and local requirements. These can vary from location to location, and most training programs are customized to meet the needs of municipalities in their local area. The length of training will vary as well, but most programs are about 3-6 months in length. Generally, training programs provide classroom instruction as well as hands on experience in call centers under the supervision of experienced dispatchers.

Some community colleges that offer public safety training give students the option to earn an associates degree as well. This will provide students with opportunities to continue their education and advance their careers over the course of time. Contacting local agencies is the best way to learn more about the specific requirements that will prepare students to be competent and effective police dispatchers.

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