CareerZone Pennsylvania

Police, Fire, and Ambulance Dispatchers

Description

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.

Job Zone

Job Zone Two: Some Preparation Needed

These occupations usually require a high school diploma and may require some vocational training or job-related course work. In some cases, an associate's or bachelor's degree could be needed.

Education Requirements

Moderate-term on-the-job training - Necessary skills are acquired through on-the-job training lasting 1 to 12 months.

Interests

Knowledge

Psychology	Knowledge of human behavior and performance; individual differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; psychological research methods; and the assessment and treatment of behavioral and affective disorders.
Education and Training	Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
Communications and Media	Knowledge of media production, communication, and dissemination techniques and methods. This includes alternative ways to inform and entertain via written, oral, and visual media.
Administration and Management	Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
Computers and Electronics	Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
Clerical	Knowledge of administrative and clerical procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office procedures and terminology.
English Language	Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
Law and Government	Knowledge of laws, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, government regulations, executive orders, agency rules, and the democratic political process.
Customer and Personal Service	Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
Public Safety and Security	Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.

Skills

Instructing	Teaching others how to do something.
Learning Strategies	Selecting and using training/instructional methods and procedures appropriate for the situation when learning or teaching new things.
Social Perceptiveness	Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
Service Orientation	Actively looking for ways to help people.
Writing	Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
Coordination	Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
Active Learning	Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
Judgment and Decision Making	Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
Reading Comprehension	Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Critical Thinking	Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

Tasks

• Provide emergency medical instructions to callers.
• Monitor alarm systems to detect emergencies such as fires and illegal entry into establishments.
• Test and adjust communication and alarm systems, and report malfunctions to maintenance units.
• Operate and maintain mobile dispatch vehicles and equipment.
• 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.
• Monitor various radio frequencies such as those used by public works departments, school security, and civil defense to keep apprised of developing situations.

Wages

In 2006, the Pennsylvania average annual wage was $30,860.00. The entry-level wage was $22,830.00 while an experienced worker made $34,880.00.

Outlook

During 2004, there were approximately 3,280 people employed in this field in Pennsylvania. It is projected that there will be 3,540 employed in 2014. This occupation will have about 26 openings due to growth and about 71 replacement openings for approximately 97 total annual openings. This occupation experienced moderate growth.

Colleges and Training

There are currently no programs listed for this occupation. To manually search for colleges, select the College Navigator link below.

For additional college information and related training about this career path, please visit:

AES EducationPlanner, PA Dept of Labor, PA Career Link, college.gov, and College Navigator

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