Ambulance Dispatcher

Ambulance Dispatcher

 Duties and Responsibilities: Dispatchers answer calls when someone needs help from police, fire fighters, emergency services, or a combination of the three. They take both emergency and non emergency calls. Dispatchers must stay calm while collecting vital information from callers to determine the severity of a situation and the location of those who need help. They then give the appropriate first-responder agencies information about the call. Some dispatchers only take calls. Others use radios to send appropriate personnel. Many dispatchers do both. Dispatchers keep detailed records about the calls that they take. They use computers to log important facts, such as the nature of the incident and the name and location of the caller. Some location data is automatically entered into the system from GPS in cell phones and physical addresses of landline phones. Some dispatchers also use crime databases, maps, and weather reports when helping emergency response teams. Other dispatchers monitor alarm systems, alerting law enforcement or fire personnel when a crime or fire occurs. In some situations, dispatchers must work with people in other jurisdictions to share information and transfer calls. Dispatchers must often instruct callers on what to do before responds arrive. Many dispatchers are trained to offer medical help over the phone. Salary: $36,300

Education: According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), most ambulance dispatchers have at least a high school diploma. Some states have developed or adopted training guidelines for emergency and ambulance dispatchers to ensure a set of uniform standards are followed. Programs and courses are offered through community and technical colleges, state agencies, professional organizations and approved training facilities. In some cases, successful completion of a program leads to voluntary or required certification, though specific requirements vary by state. Training usually covers CPR, emergency prioritizing, intervention techniques and ambulance route planning as well as computer systems used by dispatchers.

Reflection: I would be an ambulance dispatcher because they can help the people and no necessary face to face, when the persons call desperate they help telling that have calm, the police or firefighters go or telling about the persons should do in a difficult situation.