Any Communications Dispatchers out there?

[I'mdoingit]

Just curious!

Elle

[quilting lady]

Waht is a communications dispatcher?

[SSKatie]

Used to be one here named Brandy, but I don't know if she's still around.

BTW, you are admired! graemlins/bcbsalute.gif

[I'mdoingit]

Oh, No! I'm not one, Katie! Only interested in the profession & was hoping to talk with someone.

A "CD" is like a 9-1-1 operator.

Elle

[girlaroundtheway]

Her name is Brandalynn911, I haven't seen her posting for the last few weeks. Maybe you can message her?

[NeenRed]

I was one for about 3 years. It's a VERY stressful job and politics play ALOT into it (if you don't agree with their politics, you're in trouble!). It really affected my family life and the hours sucked.

but over all, it was interesting to see how things work on "the other side" of the law. I was in close contact daily with police officers and even helped out in the jail a few times. It was rewarding in some ways knowing that you were able to help some one (911 calls).

If you have any questions, feel free to ask!

[I'mdoingit]

Hi NeenRed:

It does sound like it could be a rewarding career, but the politics thing sounds yukky. I wonder if that is found everywhere?

I have small children & my big concern is with the hours. Since it's seniority-based, I figure I would work graveyard shift, then come home & get the kids breakfast, ready for school, etc. Sleep would be sketchy. That sounds tough, but having extra money is such a temptation because I am a SAHM. I want to start a college fund for my children!

Is the stress about all that one has to learn or is it still reallllly stressful after one becomes more equipped to handle the calls?

How did you get your training? Did you stop because of the stress or the hours? Would you reccomend a job like this to anyone?

Thanks for answering my questions.

Elle

[becky_g]

I'm a dispatcher!

[NeenRed]

Most of the training on got was on the job. We did have to go to school to become a certified 911 dispatcher (that's where you get the flip book that will help you thru all kinds of calls). We also had to be certified in NCIC/IDACS every 2 years (that's the compture system to look up criminal history, DL's, and plate #'s. IDACS is specific to Indiana).

I worked both day's (8-4) and nights (12-8 a.m.). I prefered the nights because there was less brass around, we got fewer calls (but always the most interesing ones), and we got along better with the officers. Plus we had a better chance of getting OT!

All my kids were young when I was a dispatcher. I had a newborn and was pregnat with my 3rd child, which was rough. Sleep was very little. I always went to my mom's house on the weekends to sleep so I could get a few hours in. During the week, they younger 2 went to daycare and my daughter was in school, so it worked out ok.

I would recommend being a dispatcher, but you need to be able to pay attention to deatails and be a good listener. There can be ALOT going on in the room and you need to be able to block out what doesn't pertain the particular call you are working on, but still be able to be aware of what calls the other dispatchers are doing (ok, I know that doesn't really make sense, but it's true!)

Hope I helped!