Real World Dispatch

Dispatchers are burning out at alarming rates good article

"They couldn't handle the job."
"If you don't like it, leave."

This is the culture with which our 911 civilian personnel have been met with for decades.

Did you know that since 2004, less than 5% of 911 personnel in the City of Boston have been able to receive their full retirement benefits?

Of the approximate 130 employees who have left, less than 10 have become Police Officers and most have left the field entirely.

Reasons for leaving include:
- Administrative Betrayal
- Cost of living in the city (residency employment requirement)
- No career ladder (Sworn management)
- Mandated overtime (Many working regular 90 hour weeks due to a staffing crisis)
- Classified as "clerical" workers instead of "Public Safety/First Responders" (depriving them of vital Mental Health resources and a realistic retirement age)

SEIU 888 is proud of our Minority Majority workforce in the 911 Operations Division in the City of Boston. Unfortunately, our personnel's voices have been silenced for decades as they have been seeking reform in workplace conditions and met with indifference.

With this work environment, it is no wonder staffing levels are so low. At Boston 911, the city is on the precipice of a Public Safety issue. Outside agencies handling 911 calls for Boston is very much a reality for this coming summer if things are not addressed immediately.

We at SEIU 888 are appealing to the public to reach out to their elected officials for assistance in expediting this reform.

Our 911 personnel deserve:
- Reclassification to "Public Safety/First Responders" instead of their current classification of "clerical"
- Retirement reform. There is no reason why a person should be exposed to over 500,000 911 calls for over 40 years in order to receive full retirement benefits
- Funding and access to 911 Crisis Intervention/ Peer Support to mitigate the effects of the daily traumas they are exposed to
- An efficient and expedited hiring and training process.
- A real living wage. Many of our 911 personnel forced to adhere to residency simply cannot afford to live in the city they help protect. Some have numerous roommates or are forced to live at home with family members due to their inability to receive a respectable living wage.

This is just the tip of the iceberg.

The civilians in our 911 Communications Centers need your help in order to help you in your greatest moment of need.

Thank you, 911.

National Public Safety Telecommunicator Week is upon us. I can not be more blessed to work with some pretty amazing First Responders across this nation! While I may not work in "A" center anymore saving lives "FROM" the seat, I get to work in them "ALL" saving the ones "IN" it!!!

Thank you HEROES for ALL you do! I see you, and appreciate you!

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Today is officially the start of National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week! Brewster Ambulance Service would like to recognize the unseen heroes behind the headsets for the work they do each and every day.

We would also like to say THANK YOU to our very own dispatchers who are dedicated and are an integral part of our team. We couldn’t do it without you!

CITY OF EAST PROVIDENCE

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

CENTRAL COMMUNICATIONS DISPATCHER

Pay Grade 34 ($46,125 - $54,641)

Steelworkers Union Local 15509

Expected start date: May of 2021

The job of a Central Communications Dispatcher exists in order to provide for reception of citizen requests for assistance, answer emergency 911 calls and to provide for the operation of radio dispatching services for public safety personnel as well as to provide for record keeping duties related thereto, and to monitor police headquarters video and audio security systems.

Operates communication equipment in accordance with standard operating procedures. Receives phone calls for assistance from the public, alarms, and radio messages from police, fire and rescue personnel. Transmits requests for service and dispatches police patrol units, fire apparatus, rescue vehicles and other members of the police and fire departments when and where required. Responsible for data entry record keeping. Work schedule may include 1st, 2nd or 3rd shift on a 4 days on/2 days off rotating schedule which includes weekends and holidays. Must be vigilant of computer/television screens and security cameras at all times. May greet citizens and visitors in the Police Station Lobby. Performs related work as required and assigned.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

High school graduate with clerical, computer and typing experience, post high school education preferred; must be detailed oriented and have the ability to multi task and stay focused. Must be able to manage and handle stressful situations. Computer literate a plus. Must possess good organizational and communication skills; bilingual a plus.

Only individuals who meet the minimum qualifications will be considered.

EXAMINATION WEIGHT

Final score to proceed to Dispatch Training Program will consist of 50% Written Test and 50% of Oral Interview. In order to proceed to the oral interview, candidates must have a passing score of 70 or above on the written test. Candidates will be notified of the written exam date after the application deadline.

Final ranking on hiring eligibility list will be based on the successful passing of the Dispatch Training Program through perfect attendance, classroom testing and instructor observation.

Successful candidates who pass the written and oral examinations will be required to undergo a brief unpaid training program pertaining to dispatching for both police and fire. Flexible hours and schedules will be available for such program in order to not affect any candidate who is presently employed. Details of the program and schedule will be explained during the interview process. All candidates will have to successfully pass a complete BCI/Background check prior to being selected for formal training program.

Please apply online; https://workforcenow.adp.com/jobs/apply/posting.html?client=EastProvRI&ccId=19000101_000001&type=JS&lang=en_US

Application, cover letter and resume must be submitted no later than April 6, 2021.

At the City of East Providence we celebrate the diversity of our citizenry, and are proud to encourage inclusiveness in our workforce. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, religion, age or disability in employment or the provision of services.

ADA/AFFIRMATIVE ACTION/EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

https://www.phoenixnewtimes.com/news/phoenix-911-dispatcher-hospitalized-after-mandatory-15-hour-shift-11531241?fbclid=IwAR25SBWHoDJTNQ49KdzRNLHiC7R15Ftz0OP9-_eFsC54w2d8UZaGf68coCM

Phoenix Employee on Life Support After 15-Hour Shift in the City's Understaffed 911 Dispatch It's estimated that around one in five of the approximately 187 police dispatchers contracted COVID-19 in December and January alone.