National
| Median wages (2008) |
$16.19 hourly, $33,670 annual |
| Employment (2006) |
99,000 employees |
| Projected growth (2006-2016) |
Faster than average (14% to 20%)
|
| Projected need (2006-2016) |
38,000 additional employees |
43-5031.00 - Police, Fire, and Ambulance Dispatchers
Receive complaints from public concerning crimes and police emergencies. Broadcast orders to police patrol units in vicinity of complaint to investigate. Operate radio, telephone, or computer equipment to receive reports of fires and medical emergencies and relay information or orders to proper officials.
Sample of reported job titles:
Dispatcher, Communications Operator, Public Safety Dispatcher, Communications Officer, Police Dispatcher, Telecommunicator, Communications Specialist, 911 Dispatcher, Communications Supervisor, Emergency Communications Dispatcher
Tasks
- Question callers to determine their locations, and the nature of their problems to determine type of response needed.
- 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.
- Determine response requirements and relative priorities of situations, and dispatch units in accordance with established procedures.
- Record details of calls, dispatches, and messages.
- 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.
- Maintain access to, and security of, highly sensitive materials.
- Relay information and messages to and from emergency sites, to law enforcement agencies, and to all other individuals or groups requiring notification.
- Scan status charts and computer screens, and contact emergency response field units to determine emergency units available for dispatch.
- 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.
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Tools & Technology
Tools used in this occupation:
| Conversation recording units — Digital recording equipment |
| Desktop computers |
| Notebook computers — Mobile data computers |
| Special purpose telephones — Multi-line telephone systems |
| Telecommunication devices TDD or teletypewriters TTY for the physically challenged — Telecommunication devices TDD |
| Two way radios — Base station radios |
Technology used in this occupation:
| Data base user interface and query software — 911 system information databases; Law enforcement information databases; National Crime Information Center NCIC database; National Law Enforcement Telecommunications System NLETS |
| Helpdesk or call center software — Computer aided dispatch CAD software; Spillman Technologies Spillman Computer-Aided Dispatch CAD |
| Internet browser software — Web browser software |
| Word processing software — Corel WordPerfect software; Microsoft Word |
