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DISCLAIMER: Sumner County Emergency Communications makes every attempt to maintain this website with accurate information. At times however, the
information presented here may become temporarily out-dated. The user should always check with the source of the information before using it in any official
capacity. Neither Sumner County, Kansas nor Sumner County Emergency Communications are responsible for out-dated information or the content of links
outside of this site.
information presented here may become temporarily out-dated. The user should always check with the source of the information before using it in any official
capacity. Neither Sumner County, Kansas nor Sumner County Emergency Communications are responsible for out-dated information or the content of links
outside of this site.
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Job Conditions
The job of 911 dispatching is highly rewarding. You are on the front line
of emergencies such as crimes in progress, fires, medical emergencies,
and storms. You will be charged with obtaining the appropriate
information about the incident, processing the call quickly, and
dispatching emergency resources to the scene.
Your job involves helping people and saving lives. However, it is
important that you realize the conditions that the job entails. As an
emergency dispatcher, you will be subjected to the conditions listed
below.
of emergencies such as crimes in progress, fires, medical emergencies,
and storms. You will be charged with obtaining the appropriate
information about the incident, processing the call quickly, and
dispatching emergency resources to the scene.
Your job involves helping people and saving lives. However, it is
important that you realize the conditions that the job entails. As an
emergency dispatcher, you will be subjected to the conditions listed
below.
- All training is provided. You will undergo an intensive
- training program lasting as long as six months before you are released for duty.
- You will be expected to know and follow a multitude of policies and procedures.
- You must operate four computer systems simultaneously and efficiently.
- You will monitor a ten line telephone system to receive incoming calls for service.
- You will operate a multi-channel radio/paging console and monitor ten channels at once for as many
as 37 police, fire, EMS, and Emergency Management agencies. - You must receive and process calls ranging from the mundane to the critical emergency; from minor
thefts to infants who are not breathing. - Must have the ability to multi-task; to talk on the telephone, listen to the radio, and operate computers
systems all at once. - Your actions on the telephone, radio, and computer will be recorded and logged.
- Must be team-oriented, working well with colleagues; spending an 8 hour shift with others in an
isolated room. - You will be subjected to verbal abuse and profanity, and must have the ability to remain professional
and not take it personally. - You must have patience.
- You will be required to make instantaneous life and death decisions.
- The job involves shift work, working holidays, and working weekends. Your schedule may not
necessarily coincide with your family schedule. - Overtime will be required. During vacation and sick leave, the dispatch center must maintain minimum
staffing; we are a 24 hour public safety department. - We are emergency services. When businesses and organizations are shut down because of
inclement weather, you will have to brave the elements and show up for work to help others in their
time of need. - Stress is a certainty. Dealing with emergencies and grief, combined with the responsibility of making
life and death decisions, you must be able to practice good stress management techniques for your
own health and well-being.
More Information
| SUMNER COUNTY, KANSAS |
| sumnercounty911.com |
Emergency Communications Center - 911