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Joseph1991

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I was wondering if I have to go through any training to become a dispatcher or if it is even a good idea?
 
Joseph1991 said:
I was wondering if I have to go through any training to become a dispatcher or if it is even a good idea?
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Some places require you to be an EMD (Emergency Medical Dispatcher), while others do not.


Whether it's a good idea or not is totally dependent on you. Can't hurt (you) to give it a try, as long as you're calm under pressure and can multi-task.
 
I used to dispatch so I can give you a bit of insight: Depending on where you work and your state's standards they will usually require you to go through a certification at some point. Mississippi usually does the APCO course as well as EMD. Sometimes they make you go through the cert before you get a job but I got most of my training on the job. It's stressful but it's also very rewarding. I left it earlier than I had planned to but that was due to the fact that it was part time and I Needed a full time job at that time... otherwise I would have likely done it until I was out of EMT class and maybe even part time after. I really did enjoy it... hope you do too!
 
The only pre reqs I know of are

1. Have a burning hatred for field personnel

2. Be a complete moron with no sense of direction.
 
I believe our EMA has a brief training but for the most part you just gotta know how to use a computer and headset haha
 
Depends on where you intend to work. Some employers will require the training pre-employment; but most will provide on-the-job training to qualified applicants.

I would suggest NOT taking a course until you know where you want to work, what classes and other certifications they may require, and if they provide the training or not.

If you take APCO25 and the center requires MPDS, you may have to pay for and take another week or two of training! Also, in general, you will be required to have CPR certification. Some areas (like my county) require licensure as an EMT, and recommend licensure as a medic.
 
Why not try for civil service 911 operator?

It's a very challenging and stressful profession but it has shifts around the clock and weekends/holidays, relatively layoff proof due to those conditions, and yo are prone to putting on weight/losing physical conditioning.
 
daedalus said:
The only pre reqs I know of are

1. Have a burning hatred for field personnel

2. Be a complete moron with no sense of direction.
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LMAO!!!

Story...

Our Sheriff's Dispatchers were recently working out of the ICP trailer while dispatch was renovated and upgraded. It was winter, snowing, and cold... and my god, did they complain about the horrible condiditons away from their warm dispatche center. Their complaints mostly revolved around it being cold and having no coffee machine... ya... cause units in the field don't deal with those conditions. :rolleyes: But, at one point the temps at night were getting down to 25 degrees F and the walkway into the trailer was freezing over. So they would have to salt it for safety. Boo Hoo... They kept calling the SO administrative personnel to complain about needed more salt. So one of the secretaries went to the undersheriff to request more salt. Our SAR Coordinator was present when the secretary said, "The Dispatchers are complaining that they need more salt." Without missing a beat, our coordinator says to the undersheriff, "Would you like me to swing by the feed store and pick up a block for them?" the secretary didn't get it and the undersheriff was unammused. Us SAR folks were loao. (This story might not translate well... especially if you are not horse savy.)

NOTE: I LOVE DISPATCHERS... please no defending them on my account. There are a number of great ones out there (I hope your dispatchers are this way)... but usually far more out there (like some I have known) that meet daedalus' definition, and require some occassional "bashing". ^_^
 
Question....

Is the person who answers "911 what's your emergency?" the same person that says, "Medic XX respond to XXX for SOB..."

?

I ask cause I've been a little interested in di*kscr*tching but would rather talk to the responding units than the person in distress ^_^
 
At least in my area you have to be EMD certified before you are hired. I know we have one or two that fit into the us versus the field profile, but most of us have a background that includes working in the field. I dispatch part-time for a county 911 service so when a person calls in the same person they talk to is the same person that dispatches the units. Having spent time out in the field I feel I make extra efforts to get the responders as much information I can. I know this is not always the case but I feel every dispatcher should be required to spend time out in the units, Even at that sometimes the information we get from the callers is either confusing or misleading. As for boring yes at times it can be but try working multiple calls while keeping track of paperwork coordinating units and answering phone calls for a vehicle accident on a major road during a heavy travel week end.
 
mikie said:
Is the person who answers "911 what's your emergency?" the same person that says, "Medic XX respond to XXX for SOB..."

?
Click to expand...

Depends on your area. Where I work, no....
 
Joseph1991 said:
I was wondering if I have to go through any training to become a dispatcher or if it is even a good idea?
Click to expand...
These days, most true EMS dispatchers (as opposed to police, fire, or public safety dispatchers) are also certified EMS providers, and at a minimum, an EMT-B. Someone with at least a minimal understanding of EMS and field operations is usually a much better dispatcher. Many agencies even require that the position be filled by experienced paramedics.

On the other hand, in rural America, any idiot that can speak reasonably intelligible English and type 35 wpm is hired. That is to say, this question can only be answered on a local level, not with nationwide generalizations.

The one constant these days is that you will be required to type at least around 35 wpm. If you want to hedge your bets, you can go get an EMT certification. It takes less than a month, and any idiot can pass it. You could go crazy and take an expensive EMD course if you really want to have a good resume. But most agencies generally send you for any dispatch-specific training that they require.
 
mikie said:
Is the person who answers "911 what's your emergency?" the same person that says, "Medic XX respond to XXX for SOB..."
Click to expand...

I'm going to ignore the rest of your post....

in most areas, there are seperate call takers and dispatchers. In 911 centers, especially on severe calls, the call taker will stay on the line with the RP until responding units arrive. They enter the info into the computer, and a seperate person dispatches the amb. As more info comes it, it makes it to the crew (either by radio or MDT). Call takers (EMDs) go through a scripted set of questions, then guide the RP through scripted treatments.

A seperate "dispatcher" maintains communications with road units. They decide how/where to post units, who to assign to calls, relay info (sometimes with the aid of an MDT, paging system, etc). They are the people we feel are out to get us etc.

There really should be more education about this in EMT schools... but systems are so variable, even between companies, cities, towns, systems, etc.
 
emt.dan said:
in most areas, there are seperate call takers and dispatchers.
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Most areas? How much nationwide travelling and inspecting of 911 systems have you done to reach this conclusion?
 
In my city, there are 911 operators who take the calls, then pass it off to a dispatcher (who is in another relatively sound-proofed room), who then dispatches to the appropriate services (EMS, Fire/Rescue, Police).
 
AJ Hidell said:
Most areas? How much nationwide travelling and inspecting of 911 systems have you done to reach this conclusion?
Click to expand...

I have always been interested in dispatch technology, so I make it a point, when i travel, to see what I can find out about how they do things. In the several major cities I have visited, I have found that to be the case. As well, the several private companies I have either worked for or visited (to interview and the such), have done the same.

I mean by this no generalities, but a comment on my personal experience. In Boston alone, I think back to the days of the Boston Police "Turret" with corresponding BostonEMS dispatch. (Boingo, by the way, is it still called the Turret in the new BPD building?)

If I am wrong, please correct me, this is merely my experience.
 
Joseph1991 said:
If they are EMT-B why would they dispatch?
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s/p back injury, age, etc. In some places, it is a role of seniority, only given to staff who have worked a certain ammount of time (dispatchers need to know response area, addresses, etc well).
 
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