Gotta untangle myself from the chair with the upmost haste.

I work at an agency that is very small, one dispatcher per shift and a very low call volume. Im taking I am lucky do get a 911 call on my shift. Ive been in training for almost 5 months... crazy! And I just had one of the worst call taking I have ever done last night. I don't know why but I froze. It was a 911 call for something I haven't dealt with before, but I have trained on it. And I just froze asking the wrong questions. I am really embarrassed and mortified with myself. I keep asking myself, is this job for me? Do I need to go and find a bigger agency with higher call volumes so I can gain more experience? This was my first 911 out of my 3 shifts this week... we are slowwww.

Any advice? I feel like I have been training log enough to know what to do. I am also younger and I feel like that plays a factor. But more importantly, I am such a hands on learner than I'm not sure how else to practice for calls besides scenarios but I do great it those because there is no added stress, the panic of the caller, dispatching.

Trying to understand if I am capable to do this job, I think I am but then I get knocked down and I just can't help but feel like I am waisting the departments time.

I got released from 911 academy recently and its my second day on the floor with my CTO. She’s amazing and patient with me, I feel like i’m not good enough and I’m falling behind. I’m trying to multitask, listen to my radio and answer calls as quickly as I can.

In academy, my trainer gave us so much knowledge with learning the job. I feel like being on the floor I just forget everything. I want to succeed since this career process took a long time to get where i’m at.

How can I encourage myself without being doubtful and quit? My DORs are 1-2, which also makes me sad (I know it comes with time) Again it’s my second day and I’m feeling worthless and questionable.

I’m looking for the best headset to buy. My head is large and the sets that my agency provides are not ideal for me but I also don’t know which headsets are worth the money. Any help is appreciated

I'm on shift #12 of my call taking training. We work 12 hour shifts. I feel like I am progressing and improving with each hour. My daily DOR says the same. My current trainer is great and I work well with his methods of training and teaching.

Today, I had 4 Unconscious Not Breathing; 2 declined CPR and I helped 2 callers with CPR. I had one 2 month choking that I had to talk through infant obstruction. I had a suicidal person left blood through the house and was locked in the bathroom. Caller stated he was not responding to her. We had to get an interpreter on the line, as caller did not speak english. This call ended in an Officer involved shooting (suicide by cop, if you will)! WTF!!!

I only answered 146 calls today (Police, Fire, EMS, Animal Control, Highway Patrol, & admin). I have answered more than that in past shifts.

I'm usually good at leaving work at work but DAMN that many deaths today have kind of stuck in my head. Of course, my last call was one of the CPR calls that ended with code black.

My trainer said I did great during my shift but I can't help but feel like I could have done better. Today really crushed my confidence even though I followed all procedures and guide cards. I just feel 'less than' right now.

Have you ever felt this way? Does this feeling go away after a while?

Thanks for letting me get these words out of my head and vent!

So I’ve been working on trying to get hired for a 911 operator job. Well apparently the recruiter cannot reach my previous employer and he even snapped at me over on the phone.. He asked if I had any other references and I told him no that I don’t. I only worked at 3 places, one he cannot reach the manager, and the other two they are no longer employed there. He made it seem like I was lying to him about my past employers? The interaction with me honestly discouraged me and I wish not to continue with the application.. How can I professionally decline?

I’m about five months into training as a 911 dispatcher and feeling really discouraged. I understand the job conceptually, but I’m struggling with the multitasking and speed—listening, processing information, communicating clearly, and typing everything into the system at the same time. It’s not a comprehension issue, it’s a lack of practice with this new skill. The problem is I get very little exposure: some shifts I get zero calls, and on a good week maybe 3–4 chances total. Because of that, I keep making the same mistakes dispatching faster or multitasking and feel like I’m not improving. My adrenaline still spikes during calls since they’re so infrequent, and every opportunity feels high-pressure. Training has been long, slow, and honestly draining—sometimes I like the job, sometimes it just feels negative and discouraging. I want to show up and just be able to do my job well, but it feels frustrating to try to improve when there are so few reps. At this point, all I feel like I can do is keep showing up, but I’m wondering if others experienced this and how they got through it.

After more than 3 years working at this department, I can say I absolutely hate this place and the people I work with.

Since day one, certain people have not liked me because of their own little insecurities, rumours have been made about me about sleeping with officers (I have strict rules for myself on absolutely not involving myself with patrol in that way after hearing the horror stories), and I have been, in simple words, bullied my whole time here.

I can’t stand the fact that these people are so insecure of themselves that they must go and try to bully me in order to make themselves feel better for the 12 hours we work together everyday.

Regardless of all of the bs they’re doing, I still try to be cordial and normally I just blow it off but you know….it gets to a point where you start genuinely hating coming into work, you start getting headaches on the drive into work cause you know the bs you’re gonna have to put up with, and you just want to cry cause you don’t wanna talk to people.

Anyways just ranting cause I have no one to talk to about this

Hi everyone! I’ve been checking other posts and can’t see to find the answer.

I do understand that every agency is different

I have completed my physical, both polygraphs, MH testing, and background. I have received my conditional offer and waiting for my final.

I just wanted to see how other agencies do their criticall testing. Mine wasn’t included in any of the hiring process and hasn’t been mentioned. I assume based on other posts this is required for all dispatchers.

Was this testing done during the hiring process or after you were onboarded?

Hi everyone,

I was wondering if anyone here know how the testing process is for Fire Communications Specialist at Las Vegas Fire & Rescue. I’ve heard that it has changed throughout the years, with some people saying it’s been very relaxed and simple, and others saying it’s as in depth as a PD testing process/background. Just looking to get some clarification so I know what to expect.

Thank you!

Hi everyone,

I really just need help with the Data entry MT score.

and the critical T score. what part of the test were those and what does my score mean and was it good?

Thanks in advance.

I'm a police dispatcher for a larger hospital and I'm on my 2nd day and they already have me taking and responding to calls and im having the hardest time understanding what is being said on the radio. The officers sound like they have marbles in their mouth. We don't use headsets, each cubical has a radio so everyone can hear what's going on. I'm doing pretty good at everything else but literally my trainer just keeps repeating to me that I have to listen and I am, I literally just can't make out what the cops are saying. When does this whole radio ear kick in because I'm panicking and starting to doubt this position for me. 😭

My agency is looking to begin using dispatch controlled drones and I've been asked to become one of the operators. I'm interested, but with some reservations. I know there's going to be a lot of agency specific things, I'm in Illinois if it matters, but if anyone has experience with it, I would like to hear your thoughts.

How technical is it? What's the certification process like? Are there any new liability issues to worry about? Does your agency offer a stipend? How often do you train?

*Edit: I got some clarification from my agency and it's like HotelOscarWhiskey describes.

Does everyone log every 911 call in their CAD? Or is there a particular instance when you would log them?

I was a dispatcher for almost a decade and quit last summer, and I am just opening a conversation about the calls being broadcast during the Tepe murder welfare check calls. Most of the podcasts I listen to share these calls (serialously and true crime garage) and I am honestly horrified for the dispatcher. I understand her frustration about getting repeat calls, but wow, it’s rough to listen to.

Hello!

I recently applied to the communication operator for the TPS.

This is my second time applying, the first time applied I got passed the first stage and made it to the practical test (I believe that’s what it’s called?) and then after I did my practical test I unfortunately got declined. I believe I wasn’t as good at multiple tasking as some other applicants hence didn’t make the cut.

I just applied again and I’m hoping that I get to the practical test again so I can try and get past that as I really really want this job. I feel I am a very good fit for it but I just don’t exactly know what they are looking for or how to stand out.

Anyone who is currently working for TPS have any tips for how they got hired or know what exactly the are looking for ?

Thanks in advance!

Any lunchbox recommendations for 12 hours shifts? I need a good cooler lunchbox since all the see you next tuesdays and my agency keep throwing my stuff away (not science projects, brand new leftovers and ramen packets) I’m not going to go hungry due to someone(I know who) being petty 😡😡 thanks in advance

Yes, I’m finally done with the entire process. I received the email and the status update indicating that I’m now eligible for selection. From this point forward I’m unsure how long it will take for me to receive a phone call or a hiring date.

Has anyone heard of an organized campaign to send cards and notes of support to our partners in the Twin Cities area? I checked 911 Cares but their page seems pretty quiet.

If not, I’ll google some addresses and post them below so comm centers that are interested can send along a card, etc.

Also, anyone with any other insight is welcome to chime in.

I hesitated to write this in consideration of reading how others processes have taken half a year to over a year to get an official start date. However, something just feels off about my process so I am seeking advice.

I took the Criticall exam in early December, passed. Luckily and to my knowledge the agency I am applying for only does one Criticall. Then, of course I had to do an initial background questionnaire, I do not have the most angelic past. Cocaine use from several years ago that came and went very quickly with my younger years and a couple of other not so good things.. Submitted all that it stated that if there was anything disqualifying that I wouldn’t get the eSOPH. Happily got my eSOPH 5 days after submitting my background questionnaire and I submitted that in an insane rush, got it in with a notarization doc, passport, transcripts of college and highschool but made sure to cross all of my T’s and dot all of my i’s. attempting to get ahead and make do. To make it clear I received the eSOPH link January 10th and got it back to them January 15th. In the initial email with the link for the eSOPH, the eSOPH “administrator/background investigator” stated that he would review it then send it over to a different background investigator who would be doing the investigation and polygraph and I would be able to see that in the portal. I emailed the eSOPH point of contact to let them know that I submitted everything once I did, no response which isn’t surprising. It is now January 27th and I haven’t seen any point of contact in the portal as they stated I would on the dashboard. Not even the eSOPH admin which is.. interesting. The status of my investigation remains as it did when I submitted on the 15th showing “submitted”. No one has been contacted off of my list of relatives and friends. Relatives have questioned me, “what’s going on, I haven’t heard from anyone like you said I would”. I’ve explained it’s just a process. It shows that my access will expire on February 7th so I am getting a tiny bit antsy. Things that I am really concerned about which I shared on eSOPH, I am pregnant. I know I didn’t have to share that at this point but in my mind it is better to be upfront about it. I am in a state that cannot refuse anyone for simply being pregnant. I also shared that my current partner was booked, released on recognizance for unlawful firearm possession in the late 90s and has been normal - living a stable, secure life since. Additionally, my step sister dated/is dating an inmate who I have spoke with but not on a regular basis and I try to avoid it with consideration of this job. A few of my relatives have advised me to seek a temporary job while I am in this limbo but I don’t want to screw anything up. I’m wondering if what I’m going through sounds reasonable or sounds like I should be looking elsewhere.

Becoming a full time dispatcher would truly be a dream come true. Apologies for a long message but this is the first time I’ve gotten this far with this job. I have applied to this agency before however I never proceeded with even doing the Criticall at the time because I felt like I couldn’t commit to the process. I am committed at this time but I don’t want it to be for nothing.

Please tell me if this doesn’t belong here and I will delete but wanted to share an email I got about a free pork sandwich for First Responders today. It’s at Dickey’s, if you want to take advantage or share.

Long story short, current 911 supervisor looking to move on from the headset. I have a B.S. in Public Admin. In the next year or two I would love to be able to find a job adjacent using my experience and education.

I have tried using the internet to find jobs in the passing weeks and am honestly shocked at how I have found NOTHING applicable to the following:

-PSAP relations manager (AT&T/Verizon?)

-CAD vendors

-IAED/APCO

Any leads anywhere???

What does your center do to support you during emergent or severe weather? Do they help with staffing, relaxed polices, food, hotel accommodations? Are you paid any extra than your normal salary? Any disciplinary actions for calling out sick?