Police, Fire, and Ambulance Dispatchers Go Back to List Operate radio, telephone, or computer equipment at emergency response centers. Receive reports from the public of crimes, disturbances, fires, and medical or police emergencies. Relay information to law enforcement and emergency response personnel. May maintain contact with caller until responders arrive.

Technology used in this occupation:
	Data base user interface and query software

Tasks
	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.

Skills
	Active Listening - Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
	Speaking - Talking to others to convey information effectively.
	Social Perceptiveness - Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
	Critical Thinking - Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
	Reading Comprehension - Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
	Coordination - Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
	Service Orientation - Actively looking for ways to help people.
	Monitoring - Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
	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.

Knowledge
	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.
	Telecommunications - Knowledge of transmission, broadcasting, switching, control, and operation of telecommunications systems.
	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.
	Law and Government - Knowledge of laws, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, government regulations, executive orders, agency rules, and the democratic political process.
	English Language - Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
	Computers and Electronics - Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
	Geography - Knowledge of principles and methods for describing the features of land, sea, and air masses, including their physical characteristics, locations, interrelationships, and distribution of plant, animal, and human life.
	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.
	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.

Search for Jobs on Connecticut's Labor Exchange (CTJOBcentral)
	(Please note that some searches may not produce any results.)

Education & Training   Education:   These occupations usually require a high school diploma.   Related Experience:   Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is usually needed. For example, a teller would benefit from experience working directly with the public.

View Related Programs on Connecticut's Education & Training ConneCTion site.

Browse Through a List of Businesses That Employ People With Your Same Skills
	Potential Employer Search

Wage Information
	Region Average Entry Level  Mid-Range  Annual  Hourly  Statewide $63,555.00 $30.56  $22.87  $24.47 - $34.97  Bridgeport/Stamford $69,518.00 $33.42  $25.64  $26.85 - $39.25  Danbury $57,407.00 $27.60  $22.46  $22.96 - $31.00  Hartford $64,411.00 $30.97  $23.13  $23.60 - $35.64  New Haven $60,007.00 $28.85  $21.08  $24.16 - $33.40  New London/Norwich $59,790.00 $28.75  $22.32  $23.17 - $32.66  Waterbury $64,607.00 $31.06  $21.95  $24.64 - $34.20  Torrington $57,820.00 $27.80  $21.96  $22.03 - $32.96

Occupation Outlook ( 2016 - 2026 ) Average Annual Job Openings:   149   Employment in this occupation is expected to grow more slowly than average, and the number of annual openings will offer limited job opportunities.

Related Occupations
	Licensing Examiners and Inspectors
	Airfield Operations Specialists
	Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive
	Interviewers, Except Eligibility and Loan
	Reservation and Transportation Ticket Agents and Travel Clerks
	Dispatchers, Except Police, Fire, and Ambulance
	Customer Service Representatives
	Gaming Surveillance Officers and Gaming Investigators
	Medical Records and Health Information Technicians
	Radio Operators

	Some of the occupational information on this page is formulated from O*NETTM v17.0 data. O*NETTM is a trademark of the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration.