Information AboutDispatcher |
| CATEGORIES ABOUT DISPATCHER | |
| transportation occupations | |
| office and administrative support occupations | |
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Dispatchers are communications personnel responsible for receiving and transmitting messages, tracking vehicles and equipment, and recording other important information. A number of organizations, including Police and Fire departments, Emergency Medical Services , Taxicab providers, Trucking Companies , Train Stations , and Public Utility companies, use dispatchers to relay information and coordinate their operations. TYPES OF DISPATCHERS Public safety dispatchers '' Public Safety dispatchers'' (also known as emergency dispatchers or 9-1-1 operators) receive calls from individuals who need assistance from Police Officers , Firefighters , or Emergency Medical Technicians . Once information is obtained from the caller, these dispatchers activate the services necessary to respond to the nature of the call for help. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, about 36% of all dispatchers employed in the United States in 2004 were public safety dispatchers. Transportation and service dispatchers A number of other organizations use dispatchers to respond to Service Calls , coordinate Transportation schedules, and to organize the Delivery of materials. ''Truck dispatchers'' are employed by Trucking Companies to monitor the delivery of freight over long distances and coordinate delivery pickup and drop-off schedules. ''Bus and train dispatchers'' monitor the schedules of their respective transportation services and address any problems that arise during their operations. ''Tow-truck dispatchers'' respond to calls for emergency roadside assistance. ''Gas and water service dispatchers'' monitor their respective Utilities and receive calls for emergency assistance that involve Gas Lines and Water Mains . According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, about 26% of all dispatchers employed in the United States in 2004 worked for transportation and Warehousing industries. WORKING CONDITIONS AND ENVIRONMENT Dispatchers are responsible for monitoring all of the communications within a specific Geographic area. Public safety dispatchers are responsible for all Emergency communications that occur within the Jurisdiction of their department. They receive and document incoming calls, transmit messages to appropriate personnel, and keep logs of the daily activities of their personnel. Public safety dispatchers usually work in a police station, a fire station, or a hospital. Other dispatchers work in centralized communication centers associated with their specific company or service. All types of dispatchers work with Telephones , Radios , and Computers on a routine basis. They also monitor traffic patterns or other outside activity via video Surveillance . As a result of sitting for long periods and using such equipment, dispatchers can develop eyestrain and back problems. Many dispatchers must also work irregular hours to provide 24-hour service, which includes night, weekend, and holiday hours. Public safety dispatchers are usually the first point of contact between emergency services and the public. When receiving incoming calls for help, these dispatchers must ascertain the nature, location, and extent of the emergency. The working conditions of a public safety dispatcher may be particularly stressful compared to others because handling a call in an inappropriate manner may delay or misdirect other emergency personnel, which could result in serious Injury or even Death . In addition, callers requesting emergency assistance are often in a state of heightened emotional distress, which makes it difficult to obtain the information needed to handle the call appropriately. TRAINING AND EMPLOYMENT Employment as a dispatcher does not usually require a level of education higher than a High School Diploma . Employers prefer candidates with computer and Clerical skills, Communication skills, and the ability to work under pressure. Candidates for employment as public safety dispatchers may be required to pass written, oral, or performance tests and are governed by state or local regulations. Public safety dispatchers may also have to obtain Certifications and attend additional training before they are employed by state or local governemnts to dispatch for police, fire, or emergency medical services. The level of training required for these dispatchers is typically the most extensive in comparison to other dispatch positions. According to the United States Bureau Of Labor Statistics , 266,000 people were employed as dispatchers in 2004. Employment for dispatcher is projected to grow as fast as the average (an increase of 9 to 17 percent) through the year 2014 . In addition, it is expected that a number of current dispatchers will either transfer to other occupations or leave the labor force, which will result in an increase of openings. REFERENCES SEE ALSO |
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