My initial training period was meant to wrap at 90 days. After 90 days of training we should be taking and toning out our own LEO, EMS and fire calls. I got sick at the beginning of my third month and it really slowed me down to the point that we haven't even counted my third month as training. I'm still dealing with symptoms of a rapid onset neurological issue that we are still exploring. I'm terrified I'll get dropped because I'm in finishing out my fourth month and I'm still not hitting all of my marks. I've had five trainers and all had me doing processes and procedures differently. It's been infuriating.

90 days to know a complex job proficiently seems insane. Aren't training programs for dispatch usually longer?

So I took the criticall test from testgenius a while ago and failed the data entry portion. They are having me take it again in a week, but this is my last shot. The pro is that I know what tests they use and can target practice for those. However to improve my chances it would really help to know how the tests are scored. What slowed me down most was typing VIN numbers. For some reason the long string of alternating letters and numbers is very hard for me to easily mentally keep track of while typing and so I'm way slower at it than entering anything else. I could probably enter almost a whole set of the other info in the time it takes to type out 1 VIN. So I was wondering, would it better to enter ALL the info on few questions, or skip the VINS and move to the next question once I've entered everything else to maximize what I enter across all questions? How are the scores calculated, does anyone know?

So I am in the middle of the application process for a 911 dispatcher position. One of the questions on the "Pre-Investigative Questionnaire" is asking if I have ever carried a weapon for protection. I usually have a small pocket knife and keychain peperspray on me, so do these count? Or just answer no because it's really just asking about a CCW or something like that.

I took my psych exam last week and I had to wait for some paperwork to be submitted. Everything went through and I emailed my investigator who told me I passed and I thank God that I did. I’ve done everything else for the hiring process. Now I’m just waiting on the next class. I can’t wait!!

What type of physical do they do for dispatchers .

Can someone please help me with the Criticall Exam?! It feels like I’m walking blind?

I (20s F) have an interview for a dispatcher position in about a week and want any advice possible! what would be the most effective ways to prep? What should I expect? I strongly feel this is my calling but this is my first ""real"" job interview (i.e. for a long term career not just a way to make money and not hate my life) so I'm nervous and any words of advice/encouragement/etc. are greatly appreciated =)

What fields can use the skills gained from doing dispatching?

Keepin’ the eyes open for the ling term:)

I recently passed my first interview and am waiting to hear about the second in Portland. I am curious when they drug test as I do use cannabis and would need to quit to take the test and probably just quit forever. I guess I'm curious how long until they test after passing the background check and second interview??

I have an interview coming up and it comes with a polygraph, background check etc. few questions, it asks about my family’s criminal record. I have an uncle in prison in another state, does that need to be disclosed and will that affect my chances of being hired? Also, for the polygraph they ask if you have EVER smoke marijuana. I’m currently sober for a few years, but let’s just say I dabbled in highschool, does THAT need to be disclosed and will that stop me from being hired. Obviously I know I need to be completely honest since it’s a polygraph , but I worry something I did as an adolescent will affect me now.

Hey all, in the process of applying to be a dispatcher and the centre I applied to works off a 2 day 2 nights schedule.

Saw a few recent threads here and most of you seem to hate this schedule.

It does sound pretty rough having your days/nights flipped weekly like that, and I'm hoping to hear the nitty gritty experiences you all have with this schedule.

The centre I applied to advertises it as a really good schedule because you get 4 days on, 4 days off, leaving you more time for personal errands, but at the same time messing with your circadian rhythm like that isn't healthy at all.

So for people who work this schedule - what's it like for you? Do you find that you have more time like how my centre advertises, or less time because you're tired and end up sleeping more? Has messing with your circadian rhythm caused any health issues? Any tips for someone who might be suffering this schedule soon?

Thanks!

Hey all! I worked as an emt dispatch for a theme park and recently started as police dispatch at a small school district. I really enjoy the job and have been thinking I want to work with medical or fire services for the city once I get my license. How different are the jobs from each other? Is it harder to get in?? I’m assuming it’ll be much more stressful but I want a challenge. Thanks!!!

How do I become a good dispatcher? Any advice because the people I work are still not training me like that. I'm open to any advice given from how to answer a call and what questions to ask to talking on the radio.

Those of you who have a second job, how do you do it without burning out? Also, is your second job also related to dispatch in a way (like another jurisdiction)? I’ve just been hit with so many things at once and i cannot financially keep up and am needing a second job. Anything you tell me would help! Thank you :)

Agency is entertaining the move from server towards the cloud. Anybody that has any insight could you please spew your knowledge. Many thanks. 26k population. Fire EMS Law. 12 full timers.

Today I had my 1st interview, held virtually, and it lasted 15 minutes. I gave a brief overview of myself and answered a couple questions. One in particular was "give an example of a time you had to handle conflict" and I could not come up with a good answer... I basically said I didn't have an example and that I tend to try to resolve issues before they reach conflict or something along those lines. When it was my turn to ask a question, I asked what they look for in potential candidates. The interviewer said mainly people that can handle conflict well. That made me a bit nervous.

Anyone in WA state care to share their interview experience?

Hello! I began the process of applying to be a dispatcher for Multnomah county and passed the interviews and job is pepending thr background check, psychological assessment and medicals.

Question is if they still test for marijuana and do they give you a heads up on when you need to get drug tested?

How long did it take you to hear back after doing your psych evaluation? I know every place is different but I’m hoping for a ballpark idea! I have done the criticall test, phone screening, panel interview, psych test, psych eval, and provided information for background check (eval done early last week).

None of my references have gotten a call yet and the job starts sometime in the early new year, I believe.

How long did it take your referees to get a call, or for you to get a call about next steps?

TIA☺️

Hello folks,

Anybody at Roanoke this year for APCO? Kind of new to this type of conference. Has anybody from here gone?

This woman called 911 to “order a pizza” in fl recently and was saved from being sexually assaulted and possibly worse. public freakouts subreddit actually has video of the police bodycam footage.

https://www.fox10tv.com/2024/10/29/woman-calls-911-order-pizza-leading-florida-deputies-rescue-her-alleged-attacker/

hey everyone! i just started at my agency last week and im already loving it!! learning for 10 hrs in a room with no windows is…. soul crushing…. but i genuinely enjoy everything we are learning and can’t wait to get out on the floor :) i know this is a place for ranting and just letting out frustrations (ill join in that soon im sure), but right now im just happy to be here and happy to finally join you all instead of reading through this subreddit wondering what it would be like to do it for real

if anyone has any tips for training (definitely am going to struggle with geography since i recently moved to the area), let me know! i’m in week 2/4 for classroom right now so still definitely have a lot to learn… EMD training starts at the end of this week for us so hopefully that won’t be too bad, i have no idea

Hi everyone! Wondering if during the Criticall typing test if a mistake is made is you should back up and correct the error to get a better accuracy score - i.e: 39 WPM, with 97% accuracy as opposed to 45 WPM with 89% accuracy. (I'm working hard on my speed!) Also, in the test, what is the size of the font you are reading to type? I'm finding the 911Professor practice test small and hard to read. Is it similar, or any bigger? I'll try to get a different monitor is it as small as the 911 sample.

We use these types of calls as learning tools for our Operators. Having the name of the Operator and any consequences or discipline that resulted are very helpful in explaining the seriousness of making choices to behave in that manner. Did anyone see the name or her consequences in the news? TIA!

Is there one and if so, can you post the link?

So I am currently working as a CSO but have an opportunity to apply for dispatch which I’ve been curious about. Anyone else ever make this transition? Anyone care to share the pros and cons.

I finished the entire background process. Everything has come back good I’ve gotten my conditional offer prior to completing the psych evaluation which has now been completed. Completed health and came back good. They told me a possible start month of January and said they would reach out when it got closer however I was just curious if anyone else had experience with this worth they are waiting for their academy date and how long before you started did they reach out to you with your start date?

hey all- i am going on an interview next week at my local dispatch center and i received a questionnaire basically asking everything about me & my history. several years ago when i was working at this one restaurant this woman who was sitting alone, left a review (or sent an email- i can’t remember which) & said i mistreated her due to the color of her skin. (i then got written up for it- my manager at the time clearly didn’t care to hear my side) this is far from true of who i am as a person. i grew up in a predominantly minority neighborhood & my highschool was that, too. i have family who “look different” from me and i would never treat someone based on what they look like. one question asks if ive ever been accused of discrimination (sex/gender/race) etc. i’m obviously not going to lie, im just terrified that this may draw the line for them.

i’d like to add that this woman who was sitting in my section didn’t once look up at me when i greeted her, took her order, or anything.

i hope this doesn’t come off the wrong way but any tips on how i can word this to not come off as a person this woman accused me of.

thanks all!

I would like to know what to expect with the civil service exam.

Its the next step in my hiring process.

Thanks so much! ✨

I’m just curious if anyone has ever taken a CVSA, I told the truth to the best of my knowledge through the entire paperwork questionnaire but I’m just curious what all it entails and if I should be nervous, I’ve heard mix reviews on it.