What is it like working as a 911 Dispatcher.?

the_mr911

There is more to it then I have room to type it here. Stress is a big part and typing is a small part of it. There is much then talking on a phone. It is a highly technical field.

Pay depends on the area and cost of living. I make about 31.00 per hour. My agency starts at around $20 per hour.

If you are interested in finding out if this is the career for you I suggest that you request to do a sit-a-long in a 911 center on one of their busier nights and observe the work environment to make sure this is something you can and want to do.

Glinda W

Pay here is 9.50 an hour to start. And yes it is allot of typing, and stress. I left the EOC to work as a deputy , the dispatcher job was to stressful.

Heisenberg

I had a friend when I was a kid whose mother was a 911 dispatcher. She was really excited about it at first but, I think that it was difficult for her. With the sorts of calls that dispatchers have to tend to and pass to the police and all, it can't be easy.

I know that she did it for a long time. I saw her a few years ago, she's been retired for a while. My friend and I were talking with her and she said that it was also very rewarding.

I don't know what her pay was like.

Carl

I'm glad I saw your question. I am interested in getting into being a police officer but someone mentioned that maybe being a dispatcher would be better for me.

I wasn't even aware you had to type. I mean, I thought everything was done over the phone. I am good at typing so maybe this is a job I could do.

I just found you a website that has a lot of information---

shel

Yes lots of typing and very busy. Need to be able to think fast and be a great multi-tasker.

Shotglass

I only recently got a job as a 911 telecomm, but here is my opinion of it. As far as typing goes, you don't really type a huge amount. When you're typing it is usually geared towards speed and accuracy, yes. But the average call only takes a minute or two, and even then you're not typing the whole time. And depending on the time of day, weather, etc (and where you work) you may only be getting a few calls an hour. Of course at other times its almost non-stop.

When it comes to dealing with the stress, the most common method is humor. Also being a firefighter, I've noticed that those working in 911 tend to have a similar "twisted" sense of humor at times. You laugh at things most people normally wouldn't. Its just our way of coping. Obviously you're not laughing on the phone and you must take the calls seriously. If you can't handle that kind of stress, you're probably going to find out early on that this is not a job for you.

Our starting pay here is $16/hr with lots and lots of overtime.

Raven

Dispatchers do deal with computers a lot. It's not necessarily normal typing, though. It's more like data entry. Yes, on busy days, you can certainly get some sore fingers. Carpal tunnel is a risk as well.

Stress is a big part of the job. In the training for our local center, one of the first things they do is play a very difficult tape. It is a 911 call where some really horrible things are happening - I won't get into the details, but use your imagination - and then multiply that. The trainees need to know that they can deal with the worst type of events. People don't call 911 because they're having a good day. Counseling (usually by a CISM team, Critical Incident Stress Management, should always be available at any time.

The pay rate varies depending on your area. In some places, it might be as low as minimum wage, while other places start at $12-$15 per hour. Some areas may even be higher.

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