What You'll Do

  • Determine response requirements and relative priorities of situations, and dispatch units in accordance with established procedures.
  • Record details of calls, dispatches, and messages.
  • Question callers to determine their locations and the nature of their problems to determine type of response needed.
  • 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.
  • Scan status charts and computer screens, and contact emergency response field units to determine emergency units available for dispatch.
  • Relay information and messages to and from emergency sites, to law enforcement agencies, and to all other individuals or groups requiring notification.
  • 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.
  • Maintain access to, and security of, highly sensitive materials.
  • Observe alarm registers and scan maps to determine whether a specific emergency is in the dispatch service area.
  • Maintain files of information relating to emergency calls, such as personnel rosters and emergency call-out and pager files.

Essential Skills

Active Listening 4.38/5
Speaking 4.12/5
Social Perceptiveness 3.88/5
Critical Thinking 3.75/5
Coordination 3.75/5
Service Orientation 3.75/5
Reading Comprehension 3.62/5
Judgment and Decision Making 3.38/5
Complex Problem Solving 3.25/5
Active Learning 3.12/5
Monitoring 3.12/5
Persuasion 3.12/5

Career Fit Overview

Use this summary to sense whether the day to day rhythm and focus of this path line up with what energizes you.

Top passions

  • Organizer: Bringing order to data and processes satisfies you.
  • Maker: Building and fixing energizes you. You like tangible results and practical tools.
  • Helper: Supporting people and making a difference matters to you.

Common styles

Self-Control, Stress Tolerance, Integrity, Attention to Detail, Dependability

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Key Abilities

This career demands strong capabilities in the following areas:

Oral Expression 4.38/5
Oral Comprehension 4.25/5
Speech Clarity 4.12/5
Problem Sensitivity 4.0/5
Selective Attention 3.88/5
Speech Recognition 3.88/5
Written Comprehension 3.75/5
Deductive Reasoning 3.75/5

Technologies & Tools

911 system information databases Computer aided dispatch software Corel WordPerfect Office Suite Geographic information system GIS systems Intrado SchoolMessenger Law enforcement information databases Microsoft Access Microsoft Excel Microsoft Office software Microsoft Outlook Microsoft PowerPoint Microsoft SharePoint Microsoft Word National Crime Information Center (NCIC) database National Law Enforcement Telecommunications System NLETS SAP software Spillman Technologies Spillman Computer-Aided Dispatch Web browser software

Work Environment & Style

Common Styles for This Career

  • Self-Control (High importance: 4.88/5)
  • Stress Tolerance (High importance: 4.84/5)
  • Integrity (High importance: 4.55/5)
  • Attention to Detail (High importance: 4.54/5)
  • Dependability (High importance: 4.47/5)

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How to Become One

Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience may be helpful but is usually not required. Training is often provided on the job.

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Also Known As

This career is known by many different job titles across industries. Here are all the variations:

911 Dispatcher 911 Emergency Dispatcher 911 Emergency Services Dispatcher 911 Operator 911 Telecommunicator Alarm Operator Ambulance Dispatcher Call Person Call Taker Communications Dispatcher Communications Officer Communications Operator Communications Specialist Dispatch Operator Dispatch Specialist Dispatch Technician (Dispatch Tech) Emergency Communications Dispatcher Emergency Communications Officer (ECO) Emergency Communications Operator (ECO) Emergency Dispatcher Emergency Medical Dispatcher (EMD) Emergency Operator Emergency Services Dispatcher Emergency Telecommunications Dispatcher (ETD) Emergency Vehicle Dispatcher Fire Dispatcher Fire Fighters Dispatcher Forest Fire Fighters Dispatcher Police and Fire Dispatcher Police Communications Dispatcher Police Communications Operator Police Dispatcher Police Radio Dispatcher Police Telecommunicator Protective Signal Operator Public Safety Dispatcher Public Safety Telecommunicator Radio Dispatcher Security Dispatch Officer Security Dispatcher Telecommunications Officer Telecommunications Operator Telecommunications Specialist Telecommunicator