r/911dispatchers

What does everyone use to keep track of contacts like managers/property owners/maintenance/etc for various businesses? Anyone have a system or program that they really like?

Right now, we use a mix of two separate CAD functions and a super outdated Microsoft program that refuses to even open half the time. They all suck for various reasons, mainly that none of them are very easy to add to, update, or search for anything.

I'm just looking for ideas on a better system to combine everything into one easy to use place.

Hello. I have my panel interview coming up soon, and I’m a little stressed. My prior work experience was as a sales supervisor and I’m current in specimen management for an esoteric medical company, and I’m a volunteer wilderness search and rescue member. But I can’t think of anything to say when asked about high stress situations because I honestly don’t really feel that stressed about things. I mostly just take a step back and think for a moment before proceeding. I was hoping someone might be able to help me think of a way to answer this without sounding pretentious? This is my first time applying for a career in public safety, since it’s what I’ve always wanted to do; but man my nerves are through the roof.

For context, I’m worried I won’t get the job because I used to have depressive episodes and I’ve went to the mental hospital six times. I am now on an antipsychotic and an SSRI. I am also 18 and freshly graduated.

In high stress situations I guess I just turn off my brain and lock in. I’ve witnessed my mom having a seizure. I was the only one there and as soon as I saw her seizing on the couch, I called 911 and explained what was happening. I was completely numb and emotionless when she was in the hospital both times, one for that seizure and the other for her brain tumor. I don’t process things normally, every time I see gore I can’t process it, I think it’s my brains defense mechanism to high stress situations. Every time something bad happens, I don’t process it if it were a traumatic thing, I guess. I only react poorly when an animal is hurt, honestly.

I witnessed my grandma die in front of me, I couldn’t feel anything at the time.

Of course, all of these events have caused me a lot of trauma, but what I am getting at is I don’t freak out in the moment, I stay calm.

I applied for the position back in February and passed the interview back in March. They told me to just wait to hear from a Background interviewer for a few weeks. It is now August. I still have my packet of references and documents to hand it. Is this normal for the process? Its been radio silence since March

Not necessarily 911 dispatch related but anyone here work for a hospital PD or anything like that other than 911?. I have been dispatching for a level 1 trauma center for the past 7 years. Taught me a lot of things over the years working armed security and dispatch I get to see the best of both worlds. My department is a half security half police mixed department with around 100 officers.

Hi, im thinking of applying for a part time 911 dispatcher position for extra income but I am curious before applying what actual hours this could be? . Would be something I could do after my 9-5 from for 4 hours like 4:30/5 to. 8 pm. Or something like just weekends Thursdays- Saturday /Sunday. ?

I'm trying to see if/how I could balance it with still being there for my children.

Hey y’all. Today I cried in front of my trainer. I was under a lot of stress due to the fact my previous trainer and I were not on the same page whatsoever and it spread around on that specific shift that I’m basically dumb (their words.) So, I told my new trainer how people at work have been treating me and basically sobbed. I know it’s silly to cry over something like that, but I worked so hard for this job just for people to view me as an idiot. My current trainer has approved for me to move onto my next phase and believes I am able to do the job, but it’s still discouraging to hear people basically talk sht on me.

Just curious. Have any of y’all cried during your training to your trainer? If so, what happened?

So my center uses epd, emd, and efd. Well we had a caller the night who wanted to report that she believed her drink/food may had been spiked. She advised the hospital told her to call us and she denied med/ambulance. So what protocol would you go through on epd?

We ended up going 108 contamination but that just felt not right.

So I know this probably has a million posts about it but I am trying to get ahead with this thing. I've gone through the perfex test once before, and unfortunately did not pass. I was told that I was unable to be informed of how I failed, how much I failed by, or what to improve.

I am going to soon be taking the test a second time, and want to know what to do. Family members are insisting on buying a "Perfex Test Prep Package" for approx. $30 CAD, though everywhere I look online people say that you "cant really prepare for the test"

I want to try anyways in any way possible, and maybe get some advise on what to look out for and how to improve.
I remember last time one of the main points I feel I struggled with was the phone call. 80% of the call was incoherent screaming that I could not understand. I tried to act as if I was 'attempting to communicate with the caller' though I was at a loss. The final 20% of it was someone talking normally, quickly shooting off information before it was over. Is there any advise anyone can give on this, either by people who have taken it, or know what I should be doing?

Another thing I was wondering about was my writing. My hand writing has never been the best, and I worry that a bit of messy writing docked points away from me, leading me to fail. Is this something testers are looking at closely, or is it a matter of "is it merely readable" kind of thing?

I really want to get this job. I know that there are only two places in all of Ontario that still use this test for police dispatch, but I don't want to move from where I've lived all my life.

Any help, any advise, anything to help would be appreciated. Thanks.

Anyone in near work in central Florida? Seminole and surrounding counties? Curious if you know of any agencies that DONT require polygraph testing? It gives me such anxiety and is a huge turnoff for me. Coming to the area next month I am so excited but nervous!

Hi everyone! I’m a PhD student looking for current law enforcement personnel to participate in a short research study. Average time to take the survey has been 3-5 minutes.

To participate, you must be 18 years of age or older, currently employed in the United States within the field of law enforcement (police, confinement, probation, dispatch, supervisory, admin., etc.), in good standing with your department, and have at least six months of experience within your agency/department. Participation is completely voluntary and anonymous.

I would greatly appreciate your assistance in my research!

https://liberty.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_1Yuo4EgyED0trVk

Im in high-school and I don't know if this is the right place to ask- but I wanted to ask people because the Google answers can be confusing (especially with AI). I was wondering how hard it is to become a 911 dispatcher/operator and what you need to do or the requirements. I was also wondering if its a job or career and if you have to go to college for it. And maybe how long it'd take to become one if there's a big proses to it. I would love to be a 911 operator/dispatcher because I grew up watching true crime and I love that I could help people (without being in the situation). Thank you

Longtime lurker, first time poster. I’ve been a Fire Dispatcher for just under a year, still on probation, so I recognize my status as a coughing baby compared to many of you. I work in SoCal, and before having this job I imagined “If I’m in trouble, the police are just a few minutes away” as do most members of the public. Yesterday we were staged for a Pt with multiple stab wounds, not alert, uncontrolled bleeding for 23 minutes. Regional agencies (especially CHP and the Sheriff) are critically understaffed of both officers/deputies and dispatchers.

I’m not sure how other parts of the country do it but here, you call 911, it goes to LEO, when they determine medics/fire is needed, they transfer. The amount of times I’ve been told “I’ve been on hold for 10 minutes! 15 minutes!” Even been told 30 minutes. (likely BS)

The point is: how are the response times to critical LEO calls where you folks work? If you’re LEO, how frequently are you so jammed with 911s that callers need to hold for extended periods? (I did a sit along with several LEO PSAPs, and just watching the hold timer gave me anxiety. How do you guys even do it? 😂)

I know this might be dumb but anyone here ever ask if you’re allowed to have a walking pad at your desk? I’m trying to figure out how to keep moving during 12 hour shifts

I start Monday. For TENURED dispatchers: Do you have a favorite or preference when it comes to Radio or 911 Calls? Our center assigns for full shifts on a rotation, and I am just genuinely curious about the pros/cons of each?

If you wake up sick before your shift are you expected to find your own replacement for the night or do you call the center manager to let them know you aren’t coming in?

Edit: I’m asking about how this generally works for your center.

Eso, superviso el 911 de mi provincia. A raíz del audio filtrado por Feinmann en el caso Moyano, me percaté que hay muy poca difusión sobre el funcionamiento del servicio de emergencias, la mayoría de gente decía "que paja que tiene, se te muere el tipo/la mina". Si bien es provincial y cada uno es independiente, funciona más o menos igual en todas partes.

https://x.com/i/status/2087299957271261671

Respondo todo

A little about me first:

I am in my 40s, disabled and I've been out of work for over 5 years. My previous work experience includes executive level administrative work. I never even considered a career in dispatch until earlier this year. It lines up with all of the things I value and it's one of the best ways I can help people while earning a living! So I have been applying, and finally landed an assessment, which is coming up next week.

Generally I am not afraid to tackle challenges or jump into things I am unfamiliar with, but this is completely different.

There's a site that has some exercises to practice, and I am just not fast enough. Map reading is passable, decision making is almost perfect, as is sentence clarity and most other exercises. I can type 55-60 wpm with regular copy, but my input is not fast enough when doing the contact details (especially the VINs), both written and spoken. I have until Tuesday to practice but I'm also trying not to burn myself out.

What sucks the most is it feels like all I need to do is "get good" and there's no magical formula to get better at it. I wish I had started this sooner, that's for sure.