I am currently a 911 dispatcher and have been for a little over a year now.
What drove you to choose your career path?
Im glad I found out before I got too serious about the schooling.
How did you go about getting your job?
What kind of education and experience did you need?
What kinds of things do you do beyond what most people see?
Is there a lot of down time between calls?
There could be a book written about what we do that no one sees.
Were the ones that are telling officers where to be and why.
We tell firefighters about burning buildings and people who have fallen and cant get up.
I spend most of my time talking to police officers and letting them know where they need to be.
I update them on information that is pertinent to their situation.
What misconceptions do people often have about your job?
We are considered public safety, but were not uniformed officers.
We just get to tell them where to go.
Another one that bugs me is Hollywoods depiction of the call takers answer.
Our most important information to know is WHERE ARE YOU?
If we dont know that we cant get you help.
We dont say, 911, what is the emergency?
We say, 911, what is the address of the emergency?
and then once we have that we want to know how we can get back in touch.
Well ask for phone number just in case our caller ID is busted.
A lot of people dont understand this and get frustrated, but were here to help.
What misconceptions do people often have about your job?
Typical 9-5 thing or not?
Definitely not a typical 9-5 thing.
Our center is staffed 24/7.
Christmas, Thanksgiving, and even birthdays are spent in the center, but it is all worth it.
What personal tips and shortcuts made your job easier?
One personal tip that my trainer gave me was, Dont take things personally.
People are calling on the worst days of their lives and youre their first point of contact.
Be like a duck and let the water roll off your back.
I live by those words when Im at work.
What do you do differently from your coworkers or peers in the same profession?
We have some of the fastest response times in the country due to this system.
We fill in the gaps as theyre on their way.
It takes about a minute longer, but that minute can count.
Whats the worst part of the job and how do you deal with it?
Some of the calls must take an emotional toll.
The worst part is dealing with children who need help.
It always takes a toll on you mentally when a child is injured, or worse, dies.
They really are the hardest calls to handle, but of course we have to.
I remember shortly after my daughter was born I dealt with a baby girl who was not breathing.
I love helping people.
Whats the most enjoyable part of the job?
The most gratifying part of my job is helping people.
It always makes your heart light and makes you feel much better.
I love knowing that I have the ability to make someones day better.
Often people are just stressed and when they receive the help they need they calm down.
She wrote a letter to us and it felt great.
What kind of money can one expect to make at your job?
Or, whats an average starting salary?
We arent paid a lot, but it is enough to get by.
I started making just under $14/hour though.
We had the lowest average in the area until our director got us a big budget increase for starting.
Is there a way to move up in your field?
We are constantly moving up.
If you like the job, the only way to go is up.
What do people under/over value about what you do?
I have been told that Im easy to work with because I have an easy personality.
I dont get up tight about many things, like I said, Be like a duck.
What advice would you give to those aspiring to join your profession?
I have felt this personally in my life and can attest to the truthfulness of these words.
This interview has been lightly edited for clarity.
