Dispatcher training

[pathalogical]

Has anyone been listening to Toronto on-air dispatcher training scenarios using the temporary channels ? They include typical events such as vehicle persuits, foot chases, emergency runs, bank robbery, panic button and k-9. The officers are played by one person, it's the same voice responding. The female trainees are a bit more prone to laughing/gigglin on air...
OFFICER: Can you give me directions to that street.
DISPATCHER: (laughs) Unfortunately not...I can't use the map.
OFFICER: (like a childs voice) But I'm really lost, I need directions.

Does anyone know what the process is for training potential dispatchers ? Are applicants just ordinary "off the street" people that just submit a resume to HR ? How long is the training from the time they call you for an interview to real on-air disptaching, a few weeks, a few months ???

Good luck to those trying out ! Might hear some new voices soon.

I wonder how I would do ? Based on all the stuff I've heard on the ole scanner. Hmmmm...I wonder...

 

[karldotcom]

Do you have a clean record? Clean credit? Survive a police background check? Any old girlfriends that will spill the beans on your personal life? Can you recall every parking citation you received on every vehicle that has ever been registered to you? Google your name or username on the internet and see if anything incriminating comes back.

My friend was just hired as a dispatcher in Arizona...he had to take a polygraph and answer questions like "have you ever had sex with an animal" or "have you ever had sex with anyone under 14"

Each agency has different criteria in hiring...

 

[newtoscanning]

Nice Try!

Ha, if you where evered asked those types of questions for a dispatcher in Canada you could send HR all over their asses. You only get to ask those types of things for special officer positions.

My uncle had to rewrite the whole book on hiring procedures because the laws changed in Canada.

 

[I_10_92]

"have you ever had sex with an animal" or "have you ever had sex with anyone under 14"

Take a look at the application for Moosejaw (in Sask.) There are several questions like "Do you own any pornography?" If yes, explain... its funny sure, but its all based on creating a profile on the person. Also, during the RCMP pre-polygraph exam, you are asked a whole wack of questions similar to that. There is a disclaimer saying that they can investigate you further based on your answers and lay charges. One question could be "Have you ever pointed a firearm at another person" or "Have you ever operated a motor vechicle while under the influence of drugs or alcohol"

As for the dispatcher training, most services in Canada will look for people who have completed the post secondary courses for emergency dispatching. I believe Seneca College offers such a program. Not sure if its a one year, or two year thing. The course covers fire, ems and police dispatching. One for each semester I think. They have a class dedicated to getting to know your console.. or something along those lines.

Hope that helps.

 

[mikewazowski]

How long is the training from the time they call you for an interview to real on-air disptaching, a few weeks, a few months ???

Generally at a large agency you start off as a call taker. Once you prove yourself, then you move to dispatcher.

 

[electricsheep]

The favourite on the enhanced (anal puckering) police information check (EPIC) that I laughed out loud at was a two parter:

A) Have you ever stolen anything? Explain and detail.

and then:

B) Do you still have it?

And also, don't forget that the EPIC is just part of the process, that also includes a 28 page "personal disclosure" document that you must fill out that asks you to basically detail the last 20-25 years of your life, and you will THEN be polygraphed based on the answers you gave in your disclosure form. And then you will end up working with a cadre of like minded nuns...