Police, Fire, and Ambulance Dispatchers

Career 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.

Industry: Office and Administrative Support

Other Job Titles for Police, Fire, and Ambulance Dispatchers:

• Realistic: Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.
• Investigative: Investigative occupations frequently involve working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. These occupations can involve searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.
• Artistic: Artistic occupations frequently involve working with forms, designs and patterns. They often require self-expression and the work can be done without following a clear set of rules.
• Social: Social occupations frequently involve working with, communicating with, and teaching people. These occupations often involve helping or providing service to others.
• Enterprising: Enterprising occupations frequently involve starting up and carrying out projects. These occupations can involve leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes they require risk taking and often deal with business.
• Conventional: Conventional occupations frequently involve following set procedures and routines. These occupations can include working with data and details more than with ideas. Usually there is a clear line of authority to follow.
• First Interest High-Point: Primary-Rank Descriptiveness
• Second Interest High-Point: Secondary-Cutoff/Rank Descriptiveness
• Third Interest High-Point: Tertiary-Cutoff/Rank Descriptiveness

• 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.
• Learn material and pass required tests for certification.
• Read and effectively interpret small-scale maps and information from a computer screen to determine locations and provide directions.
• Answer routine inquiries, and refer calls not requiring dispatches to appropriate departments and agencies.
• 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.
• Calculate and compile order-related statistics, and prepare reports for management.
• Troubleshoot problems involving office equipment, such as computer hardware and software.
• Make travel arrangements for office personnel.
• Provide assistance with events, such as police department auctions of abandoned automobiles.
• Prepare reports on civic needs.
• Accept and check containers of mail or parcels from large volume mailers, couriers, and contractors.
• Release packages or letters to customers upon presentation of written notices or other identification.
• Answer inquiries regarding shipping or mailing policies.
• Use equipment such as forklifts and automated "trains" to move containers of mail.
• Sell mail products, and accept payment for products and mailing charges.
• Operate embossing machines or typewriters to make corrections, additions, and changes to address plates.

Emerging Tasks

• Conduct verifications of employment.
• Keep track of leave time (e.g., vacation, personal, and sick leave) for employees.
• Process paperwork for new employees and enter their information into the payroll system.
• Maintain library equipment, such as photocopiers, scanners, and computers, and instruct patrons in proper use of such equipment.
• Manage reserve materials by placing items on reserve for library patrons, checking items in and out of library, and removing out dated items.
• Open and close library during specified hours and secure library equipment, such as computers and A/V equipment.
• Perform accounting and bookkeeping activities such as, invoicing, maintaining financial records, budgeting, and handling cash.
• Perform clerical activities, such as answering phones, sorting mail, filing, typing, word processing, and photocopying and mailing out material.
• Prepare library statistics reports.
• Repair books using mending tape, paste, and brushes, or prepare books to be sent to a bindery for repair.
• Schedule, supervise, and train clerical workers, volunteers, student assistants, and other library employees.

• Analyzing Data or Information: Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.
• Assisting and Caring for Others: Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.
• Coaching and Developing Others: Identifying the developmental needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or otherwise helping others to improve their knowledge or skills.
• Communicating with Persons Outside Organization: Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.
• Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates: Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
• Controlling Machines and Processes: Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).
• Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others: Getting members of a group to work together to accomplish tasks.
• Developing and Building Teams: Encouraging and building mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.
• Developing Objectives and Strategies: Establishing long-range objectives and specifying the strategies and actions to achieve them.
• Documenting/Recording Information: Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
• Drafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and Equipment: Providing documentation, detailed instructions, drawings, or specifications to tell others about how devices, parts, equipment, or structures are to be fabricated, constructed, assembled, modified, maintained, or used.
• Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships: Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
• Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information: Estimating sizes, distances, and quantities; or determining time, costs, resources, or materials needed to perform a work activity.
• Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards: Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
• Getting Information: Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
• Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates: Providing guidance and direction to subordinates, including setting performance standards and monitoring performance.
• Handling and Moving Objects: Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
• Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events: Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
• Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material: Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
• Interacting With Computers: Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
• Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others: Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.
• Judging the Qualities of Things, Services, or People: Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.
• Making Decisions and Solving Problems: Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
• Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings: Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
• Monitoring and Controlling Resources: Monitoring and controlling resources and overseeing the spending of money.
• Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment: Running, maneuvering, navigating, or driving vehicles or mechanized equipment, such as forklifts, passenger vehicles, aircraft, or water craft.
• Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work: Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.
• Performing Administrative Activities: Performing day-to-day administrative tasks such as maintaining information files and processing paperwork.
• Performing for or Working Directly with the Public: Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.
• Performing General Physical Activities: Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling of materials.
• Processing Information: Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
• Provide Consultation and Advice to Others: Providing guidance and expert advice to management or other groups on technical, systems-, or process-related topics.
• Repairing and Maintaining Electronic Equipment: Servicing, repairing, calibrating, regulating, fine-tuning, or testing machines, devices, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of electrical or electronic (not mechanical) principles.
• Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment: Servicing, repairing, adjusting, and testing machines, devices, moving parts, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of mechanical (not electronic) principles.
• Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others: Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, or otherwise negotiating with others.
• Scheduling Work and Activities: Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.
• Selling or Influencing Others: Convincing others to buy merchandise/goods or to otherwise change their minds or actions.
• Staffing Organizational Units: Recruiting, interviewing, selecting, hiring, and promoting employees in an organization.
• Thinking Creatively: Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.
• Training and Teaching Others: Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.
• Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge: Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.

Detailed Work Activities

• communicate details in protective services settings
• coordinate emergency requests or response units
• determine response needed to dispatch to emergency
• ensure correct grammar, punctuation, or spelling
• evaluate importance of incoming telephone calls
• follow law enforcement methods or procedures
• follow police or emergency radio regulations
• maintain telephone logs
• make decisions
• manage detailed records or files in law enforcement setting
• monitor alarm system to detect fires or other emergencies
• operate telecommunications equipment in law enforcement or fire or emergency setting
• prepare reports
• reach conclusions quickly in law enforcement situations
• read maps
• recognize public safety hazards
• relay information to proper officials
• take messages
• use computers to enter, access or retrieve data
• use emergency medical procedures
• use geographical information system (GIS) software
• use intervention techniques
• use interviewing procedures
• use knowledge of geographic coordinates
• use local or regional geographical knowledge to transportation
• use oral or written communication techniques
• use rescue procedures
• use telephone communication techniques
• use two-way radio or mobile phone
• use word processing or desktop publishing software
• maintain job descriptions
• maintain legal forms
• maintain record of organization expenses
• maintain records, reports, or files
• maintain telephone logs
• maintain travel expense accounts
• manage inventories or supplies
• measure, weigh, or count products or materials
• obtain information from individuals
• operate business machines
• operate calculating devices
• operate duplicating equipment
• organize legal information or records
• perform office equipment maintenance not requiring service call
• prepare bank deposits
• prepare meeting agenda
• prepare or maintain employee records
• prepare tax reports
• prepare travel vouchers
• process account invoices
• process invoices
• process medical records
• process payroll documents, records, or checks
• proofread printed or written material
• provide customer service
• receive or disburse cash related to payments received
• resolve customer or public complaints
• route multi-line telephone calls
• schedule employee work hours
• schedule meetings or appointments
• select software for clerical activities
• sell products or services
• sort books, publications, or other items
• sort mail letters or packages
• take dictation
• take messages
• transcribe spoken or written information
• type document from machine transcription
• type letters or correspondence
• understand technical operating, service or repair manuals
• use accounting or bookkeeping software
• use computers to enter, access or retrieve data
• use library or online Internet research techniques
• use oral or written communication techniques
• use relational database software
• use spreadsheet software
• use telephone communication techniques
• use word processing or desktop publishing software
• write business correspondence

Overall Experience
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience may be helpful in these occupations, but usually is not needed. For example, a teller might benefit from experience working directly with the public, but an inexperienced person could still learn to be a teller with little difficulty.

Job Training
Employees in these occupations need anywhere from a few months to one year of working with experienced employees.

Education
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.

Examples
These occupations often involve using your knowledge and skills to help others. Examples include sheet metal workers, forest fire fighters, customer service representatives, pharmacy technicians, salespersons (retail), and tellers.

• Average hourly wage (2007) -$15.70
• Average annual wage (2007) - $32,660.00

• Projected growth (2006-2016): 13.59%
• Projected need (2006-2016): 13,460
• Employment (2006): 99,053

• Bill and Account Collectors
• Counter and Rental Clerks
• Credit Checkers
• Dispatchers, Except Police, Fire, and Ambulance
• Eligibility Interviewers, Government Programs
• Radio Operators
• Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters
• Reservation and Transportation Ticket Agents and Travel Clerks
• Receptionists and Information Clerks
• Tax Preparers