911 dispatchers - need support please

Question

Okay i got hired on as a dispatcher and i had my orientation on friday. I am excited about the job, but i had some previous dispatchers tell me that is the most stressful job in the world, that breaks are not given at all, and you are completely underpaid for what you do. I am trying to not think about what they are telling me, but i am getting a little nervous now. I will be a police dispatcher for a large city.

Dispatchers out there-how do you feel about your job? do you get breaks? also what are some of the ups and downs?

Thanks!

Answer 1

I am a 911 operator, and depending where you work, they are not lying.

The callers are idiots and the cops are lazy... HORRIBLE MIX THAT PUTS YOU IN THE MIDDLE.

Pay varies greatly from county to county and state to state.  

Answer 2

My sister is a cop and her husband has done dispatch and they almost divorced twice over a 10 year period due to the stress.Very serious stressfull, job.

Answer 3

Ok its a new job, everyone gets nervous with a new job. Don't depend on others all that much. Just take it under advisement. What bothers others just might not bother you. Just give it your all, you know a little as to what to expect, so you can keep your eyes open. But don't judge the job before you do it. Just do the best you can do, and by all means Good LUCK!!!!!!!!

Answer 4

I am not but, you may or may not get respect from the officers you over see. You have to think of this as a job, nothing more, nothing less.

Answer 5

We work 8 hour rotating shifts. We do not have "breaks", we are usually right around the phone/radio/computer, but you essentially get breaks while there is nothing going on. The busier the department, the less breaks you get. We do not get a lunch hour, instead we either bring lunch or have the officers/admin personnel grab us something and bring it in. (All of this depends by department, this is just my experience.)

I love my job as a dispatcher (police and fire). The calls are crazy most of the time, and we have a really good time where I work. Most all of us get a long and cut up with one another all the time. It is a very stressful job, I mean you take calls from people who are near death for one reason or another, when officers need back up they scream and freak you out and you're everyone's lifeline from the public to the police officer, they all depend on you. It's a huge responsibility.

You can google 9-1-1 mistakes and read...9-1-1 operators/dispatchers have been sued, and held criminal and civil liable for calls they have taken. It's tough.

It's not for the weak minded, it's not for people who are emotional, you have to be able to multitask, and you have to be paying attention, you must be able to comprehend things quickly and respond well under stress.

Dispatchers are underpaid, as are most police officers, firefighters, paramedics, emts and everyone else in public safety. Most dispatchers earn $21-$27k per year. Obviously, depending on where you work you may make more or less.

Most dispatchers quit within 6-18 months after being hired, so the statistics say, those who make it past 18 months usually stay less than 5 years, and those who make it past 5 years typically make a career out of it.  

Answer 6

Dispatching is very challenging. It is very stressful and very unrewarding. No one on the outside appreciates what you do. Yes you do have to deal with several things at once, talk on the phone, type on a computer and dispatch over a radio all at the same time. There are other times where it is so quiet, you want the phone to ring. Money, not near enough. As a police officer, I love you and everything you do for us. You are my lifeline. Just remember that even though it is a thankless job, we appreciate what you do.

Answer 7

I'm not but my brother-in-law is.

He is under-paid and gets a very little break. He has to ask to go to the bathroom! It is very stressful especially with prank calls. Some people who call don't know what they are talking about! They are very little help. The cops are lazy and don't want to work (at this office). It may be different for a BIG city.

All dispatcher offices are a little different though. I would just hang in there and see how it goes for a while. If you don't like it; look for another job while you are working there. Keep your options open!

Good luck!