Quote:
Originally Posted by Undertoad
Plus you have to remain calm at the moment when people are anything but.
What are the qualifications to be a 911 dispatch?
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To initially get hired as a dispatcher, the only qualifications are to be able to type (since most dispatch is computerized nowdays), be able to handle stress from co-workers, supervisors, and especially callers. You really have to have thick skin to be able to take being called every name in book during a time of crisis. But you have to dish it all back too but in a professional, calm way.
Every state has different requirements, but every state has a 'post certified' school that all dispatchers have to go to be certified. There are lots of other certifications along the way, such as EMD (emergency medical dispatch) where we give cpr over the phone to emotional callers and take control of the situation until someone gets on scene to take over the call.
I could talk all day long about what I do because I am extremely proud of my chosen profession but this is probably more info than you really wanted to know. LOL