Dispatcher

Dispatchers are communications personnel responsible for receiving and transmitting pure and reliable messages, tracking vehicles and equipment, and recording other important information. A number of organizations, including police and fire departments, emergency medical services, motorcycle couriers, taxicab providers, trucking companies, railroads, and public utility companies, use dispatchers to relay information and coordinate their operations. Essentially, the dispatcher is the "conductor" of the force, and is responsible for the direction of all units within it.

"Public safety dispatchers" (also known as emergency dispatchers, Telecommunicators or 9-1-1 dispatchers) receive calls from individuals who need assistance from Firefighters, Police Officers, and Emergency Medical Services. Once information is obtained from the caller, these dispatchers activate the services necessary to respond to the nature of the call for help. Dispatchers are an integral part of the organization's success. According to the U.S. Labor Statistics, about 10% of all dispatchers employed in the United States in 2004 were public safety dispatchers.

Many 911 dispatchers are certified Emergency Medical Dispatchers, or EMDs. Using preapproved protocols, the EMD can talk a caller or bystander through lifesaving medical procedures such as CPR, childbirth, and bleeding control. This specialized expertise and training makes them an integral, but often overlooked, part of emergency services.

Similarly, many dispatchers are Certified Fire Dispatchers or Certified Police Dispatchers.

A dispatcher also operates as the eyes and ears for responding units before they get to the scene, obtaining the pertinent information to relay to field units to help ensure the safety of the responders.

A number of other organizations use dispatchers to respond to service calls, coordinate transportation schedules, and to organize the delivery of materials. Truck dispatchers are employed by trucking companies to monitor the delivery of freight over long distances and coordinate delivery pickup and drop-off schedules. Bus dispatchers monitor the schedules of their bus fleet and address any problems that arise during their operations. Tow-truck dispatchers respond to calls for emergency roadside assistance. Gas and water service dispatchers monitor their respective utilities and receive calls for emergency assistance that involve gas lines and water mains. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, about 26% of all dispatchers employed in the United States in 2004 worked for transportation and warehousing industries.

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