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Program Codes
31976
10262
20849
10263
20851
38308
Employment Percentage
11.06060606
SOC ID
43-5031
SOC Title
Public Safety Telecommunicators
ONET ID
43-5031.00
ONET Concat ID
43503100
Median Salary
70635.37
EMSI Interest Area Term
Social & Behavioral Sciences
Ed Level High School
74.660004
Ed Level Certificate
5.78
Ed Level Some College
9.45
Ed Level Associates
10.12
Ed Level Bachelors
0
Ed Level Masters
0
Ed Level Doctors
0
Typical Ed Level
a high school diploma or less
Career Description
Operate telephone, radio, or other communication systems to receive and communicate requests for emergency assistance at 9-1-1 public safety answering points and emergency operations centers. Take information from the public and other sources regarding crimes, threats, disturbances, acts of terrorism, fires, medical emergencies, and other public safety matters. May coordinate and provide information to law enforcement and emergency response personnel. May access sensitive databases and other information sources as needed. May provide additional instructions to callers based on knowledge of and certification in law enforcement, fire, or emergency medical procedures.
Core Tasks
  • Determine response requirements and relative priorities of situations, and dispatch units in accordance with established procedures.
  • Question callers to determine their locations and the nature of their problems to determine type of response needed.
  • Record details of calls, dispatches, and messages.
  • Scan status charts and computer screens, and contact emergency response field units to determine emergency units available for dispatch.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Relay information and messages to and from emergency sites, to law enforcement agencies, and to all other individuals or groups requiring notification.
  • 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.
  • Monitor various radio frequencies, such as those used by public works departments, school security, and civil defense, to stay apprised of developing situations.
  • Read and effectively interpret small-scale maps and information from a computer screen to determine locations and provide directions.
  • Maintain files of information relating to emergency calls, such as personnel rosters and emergency call-out and pager files.
  • Learn material and pass required tests for certification.
  • Answer routine inquiries, and refer calls not requiring dispatches to appropriate departments and agencies.
Start Annual Earnings
46295.86
Top Annual Earnings
90080.03
EMSI Career Title Slug
police-fire-and-ambulance-dispatcher