What the heck is going on in the dispatch center?!

[kenisned]

did you ever think that they might be on a 911 call when you were calling to report that mva i know it has happened to me where i was on a 911 call and someone called on the radio i was actully giving cpr instructions and still at a point managed to answer the radio it took me about 45 seconds to answere but i still answered the radio

Possible. But when one of your units in the field is on the air with an "urgent" message, and that's exactly how I called in.... you should answer.

 

[CanesFan95]

Every paramedic/EMT/cop/firefighter needs to be a dispatcher for a while and every dispatcher needs to be a paramedic/EMT/cop/firefighter for a while and then everyone can stop whining.

 

[Jay911]

What about the scanner users who know more about both jobs than either group and argue about it on message forums?

 

[scannersnstuff]

please, let me put one more perspective on this thread,and then maybe we could all just get over it and move on.while i'm inclined to agree with the "walk a mile in someone else's shoe's" theory, i know for a fact that there are cop's that may be good at being cop's but absolutely SUCK at working dispatch.some just play dumb,and some cannot work a desk.for the most part i don't think that cop's belong on a dispatch desk.the fact that some/most jurisdiction's especially in new jersey have a problem paying dispatcher's overtime when they can just throw a cop on the desk doesn't help.with that said,i'm inclined to agree with the people that say use some discretion if you have a tv at your console.obviously if the road boss or any first responder tell's you that the tv is too loud,then something is wrong.any profesional telecommunicator is not going to put people's live's in danger because their "fave" tv show is on.i do know of at least one instance when a supervisor told communication's that they missed a call from the road.the tv priviledge got suspended.it was later learned that the volume on the secondary radio was defective.it was not the telecommunicaters fault.yes,i know both perspective's of having worked the road and the desk.it is not easy working as the solo telecommunicator. it also is not easy working as the second or third telecommunicator if the shift is busy and/or you have a major incident going on. PEACE OUT CUB SCOUT...........

 

[SCPD]

What about the scanner users who know more about both jobs than either group and argue about it on message forums?

Like yourself, what about them? Do you think dispatching is rocket science? I don't think it is an easy job. I knew someone who quit, because he couldn't handle people calling 9-1-1 and then hanging up. It got the best of him.


I don't consider this arguging. This is discussion, even though everyone may not agree, but that's what it is about. In the United States it is a constitutional right to express an opinion, even if you are canadian.

 

[Jay911]

Like yourself

Hmm.

17 years experience on the job as a firefighter/EMT.. NFPA 1001 certified..
7 years experience on the job as an emergency dispatcher.. IAED, EMD, EFD, and other random alphabet assortments..

Seems like perhaps I do know what I'm talking about..

If the subtle hints aren't getting through to you, I'll spell it out: I know both sides of the emergency services situation inside and out, backwards and forwards.

It would behoove you to quit while you're ahead - or even lagging behind trying to catch up.

 

[SCPD]

Hmm.

17 years experience on the job as a firefighter/EMT.. NFPA 1001 certified..
7 years experience on the job as an emergency dispatcher.. IAED, EMD, EFD, and other random alphabet assortments..

Seems like perhaps I do know what I'm talking about..

If the subtle hints aren't getting through to you, I'll spell it out: I know both sides of the emergency services situation inside and out, backwards and forwards.

It would behoove you to quit while you're ahead - or even lagging behind trying to catch up.

Behoove is a big word for you. If I have a question about bacon, hockey or beer we'll come to you.

 

[CanesFan95]

 

[emtbrat29]

i do have to agree you should have some kind of fire ems or police back round to work a desk in a 911 center im 13 years in the fire ems side and thinking about going to be a police officer this year im still a kid to some but at the age of 25 im in my prime and looking to advance my experiences more but your right it dose not take rocket science either as for the guy who quit over people calling 911 and hanging up wow thats a lame excuse sometimes those calls are good ones cause when you call them back and they say everything is cool there but you hear a royal rumble in the backround and here is a domestic going on that funny stuff its amazing what people try to hide

 

[CanesFan95]

i do have to agree you should have some kind of fire ems or police back round to work a desk in a 911 center

But the problem is that an officer or firefighter making $20/hour who went through fire school or the academy isn't gonna settle for the $12-$14/hour starting pay at many dispatch centers.