3-16-2024 12:16am

Answering the Call: Training Students for the Vital Role of 911 Dispatchers

Beth Callahan Editor

Photo courtesy of WCCC

Information from a Press Release from Warren County Career Center

LEBANON, OH -- The Warren County Career Center is constantly evolving its programs to meet the needs of its community. This year, the Criminal Justice program added a new skill set and credential to address the urgent need for skilled 911 dispatchers – the unsung heroes who play a pivotal role in emergency response. As society faces an increasing demand for these essential professionals, this program focuses on equipping students with the necessary skills and resilience for this vital job.

The role of a 911 dispatcher is fast-paced and demanding, requiring individuals to handle a range of crises, from medical emergencies to criminal incidents. The WCCC program ensures that students not only gain technical proficiency and certification, but also develop the emotional intelligence needed to provide calm and effective guidance during distressing situations.

To earn the NECC (National Emergency Communications Certification), students practice on a customized 9-1-1 Call-Taking and Radio Dispatch Simulator, providing full-blown emergency simulations that give students many hours of realistic experience in the variety of situations they will face. Professional Pride, Inc., the partner that provides our simulation service, prepared this training course as an answer to the hiring crises Communication Centers across the country are facing. Hiring qualified career tech graduates who understand the work, are trained, evaluated and certified saves Comm Center budgets and stress!

The significance of 911 dispatchers cannot be overstated. They are the first point of contact in emergencies, coordinating response efforts and ensuring the right help arrives promptly. As societal challenges evolve, the demand for skilled dispatchers continues to rise, making this skill set increasingly relevant.

By choosing our Criminal Justice program, students will not only train to become dispatchers; they will also learn all about the criminal justice system, get hands-on training in a variety of skills, practice physical training, and discover which career pathway option inspires them the most. Many of WCCC's graduates become the backbone of emergency services, offering comfort and assistance and ultimately saving lives.

"We are thankful for our partners helping to support our programming and value their collaboration," noted Director of Marketing and Communications Melissa Boggs in a press release, adding, "Program Instructor Jeff Piper is dedicated to training individuals to answer the call to become the lifeline of our communities. As these students graduate and step into their roles as 911 dispatchers, security personnel, military personnel, or college students, they are ready to make a difference."

Community partners ranging from local hospitals and county police to the State Highway Patrol were recenlty invited to an event at WCCC to meet its students and watch them in action on the simulator.

"The guests were impressed with the professionalism, poise and skillset of our students and excited for the potential this training offers. In addition to learning about the 9-1-1 Call Taking and Dispatch Simulator, the meeting allowed WCCC to share about Work-Based Learning, Cadet Internships, Ride-A-Long opportunities, and so much more," Boggs added.