How much does a 911 dispatcher make?

The salaries of 911 Dispatchers in the US range from $24,270 to $59,770 , with a median salary of $38,010 . The middle 60\% of 911 Dispatchers makes $38,010, with the top 80\% making $59,770.

Is being a 911 dispatcher difficult?

Sometimes Dispatching is Hard The job isn’t physically demanding, but it can be emotionally and mentally taxing. Some days are worse than others. These are the reasons why specific training deals with some of the more distressing aspects of the job.

How many days a week do 911 dispatchers work?

Public Safety Dispatchers work a modified work schedule: 12 hours a day, 3 times a week, and one 4-hour shift, to make up a 40-hour work week. Public Safety Dispatchers staff the Communications Center 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and routinely work rotating shifts approximately every 6 months.

Why do 911 dispatchers ask so many questions?

Why do the dispatchers ask so many questions when I call 911? Emergency dispatchers need to get accurate information to allow officers to make the best decision on how to approach the situation. This allows them to help make educated decisions about how they respond to the call and what equipment they take with them.

Where do dispatchers make the most money?

Detailed List Of Dispatcher Salaries By State

What can I expect from a 911 dispatcher test?

What Does the 911 Dispatcher Exam Consist of? The Dispatcher exam consists of more than a dozen of test sections that evaluate four different areas of aptitude. The tests include typing, listening, reading, setting priorities, speech recognition, memory, spatial orientation, and more.

What is the difference between a 911 operator and dispatcher?

A dispatcher may be the person who fields the initial call and then assigns the proper units or workers to the scene. The operator, on the other hand, coordinates any other necessary efforts after the initial call.

What disqualifies you from being a dispatcher?

An applicant whose work history reflects excessive tardiness and absenteeism, incompatibility with coworkers and supervisors, carelessness, insubordination, inability to follow instructions may be a basis for disqualification. court-martial (if in the military).

What does a dispatcher schedule look like?

Public Safety Dispatchers are required to work holidays and weekends, as well as evening, night, and early morning shifts. Dispatchers work 12-hour shifts. One week you will work three 12-hour shifts; the next week you will work three 12-hour shifts and one 8-hour shift. Salary is commensurate with experience.

How do dispatchers answer the phone?

When you call 911, a call-taker will answer the phone and say “911” or “911, what’s your emergency?”. Ideally, you should tell the call-taker what the emergency is, for example: “My house is on fire!” “There’s someone breaking into my home!”

Why does 911 want you to stay on the line?

It’s All About Location When Making an Emergency Call The first priority in the event of a 112, 999, 911 call is getting emergency services to you as promptly as possible. When you stay on the line, it allows the emergency call dispatcher to pinpoint your exact location.

What is the job description of a police dispatcher?

Police, fire, and ambulance dispatchers, also called public safety telecommunicators, answer emergency and nonemergency calls. Dispatchers answer calls from people who need help from police, firefighters, emergency services, or a combination of the three. They take emergency, nonemergency, and alarm system calls.

How many police dispatchers are there in the US?

Police, fire, and ambulance dispatchers held about 98,300 jobs in 2019. The largest employers of police, fire, and ambulance dispatchers were as follows: Dispatchers typically work in communication centers, often called public safety answering points (PSAPs).

Do police dispatchers have to work weekends?

Overtime is common in this occupation. Because emergencies can happen at any time, dispatchers are required to work some shifts during evenings, weekends, and holidays. Dispatchers must pass a typing test. Most police, fire, and ambulance dispatchers have a high school diploma.

What are the requirements to become an emergency medical dispatcher?

The Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials (APCO) provides a list of states requiring training and certification. One certification is the Emergency Medical Dispatcher (EMD) certification, which enables dispatchers to give medical assistance over the phone.