Public Safety Telecommunicators

What Does a Public Safety Telecommunicators Do?

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.

Day-to-Day Responsibilities

• 1Provide emergency medical instructions to callers.
• 2Question callers to determine their locations and the nature of their problems to determine type of response needed.
• 3Determine response requirements and relative priorities of situations, and dispatch units in accordance with established procedures.
• 4Receive 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.
• 5Relay information and messages to and from emergency sites, to law enforcement agencies, and to all other individuals or groups requiring notification.
• 6Record details of calls, dispatches, and messages.
• 7Monitor various radio frequencies, such as those used by public works departments, school security, and civil defense, to stay apprised of developing situations.
• 8Read and effectively interpret small-scale maps and information from a computer screen to determine locations and provide directions.

Required Skills

• Active Listening
• Speaking
• Critical Thinking
• Reading Comprehension
• 911 system information databases
• Computer aided dispatch software
• Corel WordPerfect Office Suite
• Geographic information system GIS systems
• Intrado SchoolMessenger
• Law enforcement information databases
• Microsoft Access
• Microsoft Excel
• Microsoft Office software
• Microsoft Outlook

Public Safety Telecommunicators Salary