911 dispatcher or call taker?

Question

I just got hired on, they are giving me a choice to either be just a call taker or do dispatch....which should i choose?

Answer 1

dispatch . 911 would be very hectic it seems to me . i couldnt do 911 you get people being hurt and yelling and all . my nerves would be shot .

Answer 2

Call taker - You'll be answering 9-1-1 and calls from the public for emergency and non-emergency situations. As some of the other girls mentioned, you might be the last person someone talks to before they die. You also are the one who gets screamed at, complained to, and sometimes insulted.

Dispatcher - You'll be giving the call to the officers/firefighters/ems units. You'll be answering these units, checking on them, giving them directions, handling traffic stops, and everything that happens "after the call comes in."

I work in a small department where we all must take calls and dispatch. Personally, I like dispatching better than taking calls. Regardless, it's stressful, and it's not for people with a weak mind, slow reaction, or people who can not multi-task, and by multi-task I mean several phone lines, several radio channels, running information, dispatching, and keying all of it into the computer system. It's not for people who are immature, and it's not for people who think they know everything. It's a fun job regardless if you take on the responsibility of protecting everyone...from themselves and others.

There are some statistics available, it's like an overwhelming percentage of dispatchers who are hired on will quit within the first 6 months of employment, and vast majority of the remainder will quit within 18 months. Those who last longer than 18 months will typically make a career out of it.

There is a lot of responsibility involved because you're dealing with people's lives. So, make the best choice, and good luck.

Answer 3

Is this a large or small agency? I work in a call center where there are 2 dispatchers on  at all times. We call take and dispatch for 911 and non emergency calls/dispatch police/fire and ems.

If your agency makes you choose between answering the call and dispatching it out I would check and see if you can try both. Lots and lots of training for both...will have to get certified in a few things....you will have people yell at you....speak with people who are dying....sometimes you will be the last person they talk to before they leave this world....you will talk to people who find their loved ones dead....make sure you give the officers all the info they need to arrive at a call so they know what and who they will be deaing with.

This is such a rewarding career and I could not imagine doing anything else! Good Luck! Hang in there and always remember that not two calls are the same.....always learn for you mistakes(because we all make them) and it will get easier!