Will “Police, Fire, and Ambulance Dispatchers” be Replaced By Robots? 🤔

Job Description

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.

Job Details

• The SOC (Standard Occupational Classification) code is 43-5031.00
• The Mean Annual Wage in the U.S. is $ 41,070.00
• The Mean Hourly Wage is $ 19.00
• Currently, there are 95,170 people on this job

Also Known As…

• Telecommunicator
• Public Safety Dispatcher
• Police Dispatcher
• Emergency Communications Operator (ECO)
• Dispatcher
• Communications Supervisor
• Communications Specialist
• Communications Operator
• Communications Officer
• 911 Dispatcher
• Telecommunications Specialist
• Telecommunications Officer
• Public Safety Telecommunicator
• Protective Signal Operator
• Police Radio Dispatcher
• Police Communications Operator
• Police Communications Dispatcher
• Police and Fire Dispatcher
• Forest Fire Fighters Dispatcher
• Fire Fighters Dispatcher
• Fire Dispatcher
• Emergency Vehicle Dispatcher
• Emergency Telecommunications Dispatcher (ETD)
• Emergency Operator
• Emergency Medical Dispatcher
• Emergency Dispatcher
• Emergency Communications Officer (ECO)
• Emergency Communications Dispatcher
• Dispatch Manager
• Call Person
• Ambulance Dispatcher
• Alarm Operator
• 911 Telecommunicator
• 911 Operator (Nine One One Operator)
• 911 Emergency Services Dispatcher
• 911 Emergency Dispatcher

Tasks for “Police, Fire, and Ambulance Dispatchers”

• Determine response requirements and relative priorities of situations, and dispatch units in accordance with established procedures.
• Relay information and messages to and from emergency sites, to law enforcement agencies, and to all other individuals or groups requiring notification.
• Question callers to determine their locations, and the nature of their problems to determine type of response needed.
• Monitor alarm systems to detect emergencies such as fires and illegal entry into establishments.
• Record details of calls, dispatches, and messages.
• 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.
• Monitor various radio frequencies such as those used by public works departments, school security, and civil defense to keep apprised of developing situations.
• Provide emergency medical instructions to callers.
• Scan status charts and computer screens, and contact emergency response field units to determine emergency units available for dispatch.
• 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.
• Answer routine inquiries, and refer calls not requiring dispatches to appropriate departments and agencies.
• Read and effectively interpret small-scale maps and information from a computer screen to determine locations and provide directions.
• Learn material and pass required tests for certification.
• Operate and maintain mobile dispatch vehicles and equipment.
• Maintain access to, and security of, highly sensitive materials.
• 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.
• Test and adjust communication and alarm systems, and report malfunctions to maintenance units.

Related Technology & Tools

• Teletype terminals
• Base station radios
• Telecommunication devices TDD
• Two way radios
• Digital recording equipment
• Automatic call distributing ACD consoles
• Radio scanners
• Mobile data computers
• Mainframe terminals
• Desktop computers
• Intercom systems
• Mainframe computers
• Multi-line telephone systems
• Personal computers
• Switchboards

• National Crime Information Center NCIC database
• Spillman Technologies Spillman Computer-Aided Dispatch
• Law enforcement information databases
• Microsoft Excel
• National Law Enforcement Telecommunications System NLETS
• Computer aided dispatch software
• Microsoft PowerPoint
• Corel WordPerfect Office Suite
• 911 system information databases
• Microsoft Office
• Web browser software
• Microsoft Word