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014 2 y a M e9 u s s I , Vol. 3
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CAREER SPOTLIGHT: HEROS BEHIND THE SCENES
I joined the local volunteer fire department when I was 16. After being there for about two years, I was elected to be the secretary because I liked working with computers. I enjoyed Firefighting, but did not think I would like to do it as a career, so I concluded that by becoming a dispatcher where I could join my love of computers and helping people in emergency situations. There really isn’t a typical day at work as a 911 Dispatcher. We work 12 hour shift; 7am-7pm or 7pm-7am. Some days, we are so busy that we don’t even get to eat lunch, but other days are much more relaxed. There are five dispatchers on duty at a time, and we monitor ten 911 lines, eight non-emergency line, thirteen hotlines ( lines that go directly to the fire departments, police department, public works, etc...), and multiple radio channels. Our telephone calls can be anything from complaints about a stray dog, a person with a dangerous weapon breaking into someone’s home, or someone having a heart attack needing help soon. We never know what a call is going to be until we answer the phone, but we have to be prepared to help that person until a Police Officer, Firefighter, or Ambulance can get to them. After the responders get on scene, they often need our help, also. For example, a Police Officer that responded to a fight may need us to send an ambulance for someone whose been hurt; or Firefighters may need us to send a Police Officer to control traffic at the scene of a fire. I like being able to help people. A lot of people don’t realize it, but dispatchers are trained to give instructions over the phone to help the callers until the responders arrive. We give CPR instructions to a man who just found his mother, laying on the floor not breathing; we can tell a woman who is home alone how to deliver her baby and we can try to help someone get out of a burning building, etc... While one dispatcher is giving these instructions to the caller, another dispatcher in the room is sending help. We work as a TEAM to make sure the caller gets the best help as quickly as possible. If you are looking to venture into this career, a High School Diploma or GED is required to get hired. After being hired, there is a bout a 6 month training process where you’ll receive on the job training, as well as take classes to be certified in CPR, First Aid, EMD (Emergency Medical Dispatch), EFD (Emergency Fire Dispatch), EPD (Emergency Police Dispatch), VCIN (Virginia Criminal Information Network), and NIMS (National Incident Management System). Some important skills needed as a 911 Dispatcher are being able to listen, talk clearly, multi-task, type, be calm, and be patient. Callers in dangerous situations may only be able to whisper, or not talk at all. You have to be able to listen to what they are trying to tell you, as well as listen to any noises in the background which could be a clue to what is happening. CONTINUED ON PAGE: 7
IN S THI E ISSU
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Career Spotlight: Meet Kasey White, a 911 Dispatcher with the City of Danville, VA Danville Public Schools • Pittsylvania County Schools Westover Christian Academy • Heritage Academy • Carlisle Schools NEW! MZ Gaming Review • Puzzles • Games • Science Fun & Much More!!