Post job

What does a 911 emergency dispatcher do?

Updated January 8, 2025
7 min read
What does a 911 emergency dispatcher do
On this page

911 emergency dispatcher responsibilities

Here are examples of responsibilities from real 911 emergency dispatcher resumes:

  • Help deliver several healthy babies with the assistance of the 911 EMD cards.
  • Help callers perform CPR, Heimlich maneuver, and other lifesaving measures of injure subjects.
  • Answer emergency and non-emergency calls and dispatch the appropriate department whether it be police, fire, or ems.
  • Operate a nationwide computerize crime information system (NCIC) to all criminal justice agencies-local, state and federal.
  • Log warrant entries, missing persons, and stolen vehicles as well as other miscellaneous items into the national NCIC program.
  • Administer CPR instructions to numerous third party individuals.
  • Answer emergency calls/dispatch police fire and sheriff, enter and cancel stolen property and vehicles, run criminal history
  • Assist in CCTV video footage review, dispatcher training, data auditing, and presentations on community safety.
  • Answer emergency calls/dispatch police fire and sheriff, enter and cancel stolen property and vehicles, run criminal history

911 emergency dispatcher skills and personality traits

We calculated that 12% of 911 Emergency Dispatchers are proficient in EMS, Computer Aided Dispatch, and NCIC. They’re also known for soft skills such as Ability to multitask, Communication skills, and Empathy.

We break down the percentage of 911 Emergency Dispatchers that have these skills listed on their resume here:

  • EMS, 12%

    Operated radio transmitter and receiver to dispatch EMS personnel to life or property-threatening emergency and non-emergency situations.

  • Computer Aided Dispatch, 10%

    Helped design and operate agency Computer Aided Dispatch system.

  • NCIC, 6%

    Logged warrant entries, missing persons, and stolen vehicles as well as other miscellaneous items into the national NCIC program.

  • CAD, 6%

    Input information received by law enforcement radio traffic into CAD program

  • Public Safety Agencies, 6%

    Developed and maintained Missing Persons program for all County Public safety agencies that complied with State and Federal Laws and Regulations.

  • Law Enforcement Agencies, 5%

    Provide available information to other law enforcement agencies when appropriate and necessary.

Most 911 emergency dispatchers use their skills in "ems," "computer aided dispatch," and "ncic" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential 911 emergency dispatcher responsibilities here:

Ability to multitask. One of the key soft skills for a 911 emergency dispatcher to have is ability to multitask. You can see how this relates to what 911 emergency dispatchers do because "public safety telecommunicators must stay calm in order to simultaneously answer calls, collect vital information, coordinate responders, monitor multiple displays, and use a variety of equipment." Additionally, a 911 emergency dispatcher resume shows how 911 emergency dispatchers use ability to multitask: "use emd protocols to determine level of response to medical emergencies. "

Communication skills. Another soft skill that's essential for fulfilling 911 emergency dispatcher duties is communication skills. The role rewards competence in this skill because "public safety telecommunicators work with law enforcement, emergency response teams, and civilians." According to a 911 emergency dispatcher resume, here's how 911 emergency dispatchers can utilize communication skills in their job responsibilities: "operated an array of communication equipment including radio, telephone, and computer systems. "

Empathy. This is an important skill for 911 emergency dispatchers to perform their duties. For an example of how 911 emergency dispatcher responsibilities depend on this skill, consider that "public safety telecommunicators must be willing to help a range of callers with varying needs." This excerpt from a resume also shows how vital it is to everyday roles and responsibilities of a 911 emergency dispatcher: "displayed patience, caring, and understanding until police, fire, or ems arrived on the scene. ".

Listening skills. A big part of what 911 emergency dispatchers do relies on "listening skills." You can see how essential it is to 911 emergency dispatcher responsibilities because "public safety telecommunicators must listen carefully to collect relevant details, even though some callers might have trouble speaking because of anxiety or stress." Here's an example of how this skill is used from a resume that represents typical 911 emergency dispatcher tasks: "monitored alarm services for businesses, managed clerical and phone inquiries, communicated efficiently under pressure of heavy phone lines. "

Typing skills. A commonly-found skill in 911 emergency dispatcher job descriptions, "typing skills" is essential to what 911 emergency dispatchers do. 911 emergency dispatcher responsibilities rely on this skill because "public safety telecommunicators enter the details of calls into computers; typing speed and accuracy are essential when responding to emergencies." You can also see how 911 emergency dispatcher duties rely on typing skills in this resume example: "performed general office functions including coordinating visitors, typing, data entry and filing. "

See the full list of 911 emergency dispatcher skills

The three companies that hire the most 911 emergency dispatchers are:

Choose from 10+ customizable 911 emergency dispatcher resume templates

Build a professional 911 emergency dispatcher resume in minutes. Our AI resume writing assistant will guide you through every step of the process, and you can choose from 10+ resume templates to create your 911 emergency dispatcher resume.
911 Emergency Dispatcher Resume
911 Emergency Dispatcher Resume
911 Emergency Dispatcher Resume
911 Emergency Dispatcher Resume
911 Emergency Dispatcher Resume
911 Emergency Dispatcher Resume
911 Emergency Dispatcher Resume
911 Emergency Dispatcher Resume
911 Emergency Dispatcher Resume
911 Emergency Dispatcher Resume
911 Emergency Dispatcher Resume
911 Emergency Dispatcher Resume
911 Emergency Dispatcher Resume
911 Emergency Dispatcher Resume
911 Emergency Dispatcher Resume
911 Emergency Dispatcher Resume

Compare different 911 emergency dispatchers

911 emergency dispatcher vs. Communications officer

A communications officer is responsible for maintaining the brand image of an organization through monitoring marketing campaigns and public relations techniques. Communications officers handle press releases, social media management, media outreach, reviewing digital contents, and disseminating public communications within the company's premises and appropriate audience. They often coordinate with the senior management to develop strategic procedures to improve brand awareness, attracting potential partnerships that would generate more revenues and increase the company's profitability. A communications officer must have excellent leadership skills to monitor the performance of the communications staff and ensure maximum productivity.

The annual salary of communications officers is $3,379 higher than the average salary of 911 emergency dispatchers.Even though 911 emergency dispatchers and communications officers are distinct careers, a few of the skills required for both jobs are similar. For example, both careers require ems, computer aided dispatch, and cad in the day-to-day roles and responsibilities.

There are some key differences in the responsibilities of each position. For example, 911 emergency dispatcher responsibilities require skills like "ncic," "fire ambulance," "medical dispatch," and "telephone calls." Meanwhile a typical communications officer has skills in areas such as "affordable housing," "non-emergency telephone calls," "customer service," and "press releases." This difference in skills reveals the differences in what each career does.

Communications officers really shine in the non profits industry with an average salary of $43,787. Comparatively, 911 emergency dispatchers tend to make the most money in the government industry with an average salary of $37,685.communications officers tend to reach higher levels of education than 911 emergency dispatchers. In fact, communications officers are 7.9% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.7% more likely to have a Doctoral Degree.

911 emergency dispatcher vs. Call taker

A call taker works at a call or dispatch center, where they are primarily in charge of answering calls, identifying the callers' needs, and coordinating services to assist them right away. Although their responsibilities depend on their company or industry of employment, it usually involves answering inquiries, processing requests, arranging appointments or reservations, and handling issues and concerns, resolving them promptly and efficiently. When it comes to employment, a call taker may work for 911 dispatch centers, taxi companies, towing services, and private hotlines.

Call taker positions earn higher pay than 911 emergency dispatcher roles. They earn a $1,994 higher salary than 911 emergency dispatchers per year.A few skills overlap for 911 emergency dispatchers and call takers. Resumes from both professions show that the duties of each career rely on skills like "ems," "computer aided dispatch," and "ncic. "

Each career also uses different skills, according to real 911 emergency dispatcher resumes. While 911 emergency dispatcher responsibilities can utilize skills like "fire ambulance," "medical dispatch," "dispatch police," and "radio consoles," call takers use skills like "taker," "data entry," "customer service," and "gps."

On average, call takers earn a higher salary than 911 emergency dispatchers. Some industries support higher salaries in each profession. Interestingly enough, call takers earn the most pay in the government industry with an average salary of $42,836. Whereas 911 emergency dispatchers have higher pay in the government industry, with an average salary of $37,685.Average education levels between the two professions vary. Call takers tend to reach similar levels of education than 911 emergency dispatchers. In fact, they're 0.6% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.7% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

911 emergency dispatcher vs. Telecommunication operator

A Telecommunication Operator handles all incoming calls and transfers them when necessary to appropriate quarters. As a Telecommunication operator, you will be tasked with responding to inquiries, answering messages, and passing along communication to the right individuals. In addition to that, you will be tasked with organizing the telephone directory and performing a host of other administrative tasks. You will also have the responsibility of processing packages and incoming mails and delivering outgoing mails and packages to the post office or other shipping facilities.

On average, telecommunication operators earn higher salaries than 911 emergency dispatchers, with a $2,599 difference per year.Using the responsibilities included on 911 emergency dispatchers and telecommunication operators resumes, we found that both professions have similar skill requirements, such as "ems," "computer aided dispatch," and "ncic.rdquo;

There are many key differences between these two careers, including some of the skills required to perform responsibilities within each role. For example, a 911 emergency dispatcher is likely to be skilled in "fire ambulance," "medical dispatch," "dispatch police," and "medical services," while a typical telecommunication operator is skilled in "patients," "customer service," "non-emergency calls," and "telecommunication."

Telecommunication operators earn the best pay in the government industry, where they command an average salary of $45,658. 911 emergency dispatchers earn the highest pay from the government industry, with an average salary of $37,685.Most telecommunication operators achieve a similar degree level compared to 911 emergency dispatchers. For example, they're 1.1% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.0% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

911 emergency dispatcher vs. Communications operator

A communications operator is responsible for receiving incoming calls from customers and clients and transferring them to the appropriate department for their needs and concerns. Communications operators perform administrative duties, such as organizing directory, updating customers' information on the database, and pulling-up reports. They also help agents in responding to the customers' inquiries and processing their requests. A communications operator must have excellent communication and organizational skills, especially in documenting calls for audits and references.

Communications operators typically earn lower pay than 911 emergency dispatchers. On average, communications operators earn a $5,291 lower salary per year.According to resumes from 911 emergency dispatchers and communications operators, some of the skills necessary to complete the responsibilities of each role are similar. These skills include "ems," "computer aided dispatch," and "ncic. "While some skills are required in each professionacirc;euro;trade;s responsibilities, there are some differences to note. "public safety agencies," "fire ambulance," "medical dispatch," and "medical services" are skills that commonly show up on 911 emergency dispatcher resumes. On the other hand, communications operators use skills like patients, customer service, pbx, and public safety on their resumes.The government industry tends to pay the highest salaries for communications operators, with average annual pay of $37,079. Comparatively, the highest 911 emergency dispatcher annual salary comes from the government industry.The average resume of communications operators showed that they earn similar levels of education compared to 911 emergency dispatchers. So much so that theyacirc;euro;trade;re 1.3% more likely to earn a Master's Degree and more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree by 0.1%.

Types of 911 emergency dispatcher

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

Browse office and administrative jobs