What does an alarm operator do?
Alarm operator responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real alarm operator resumes:
- Interpret and respond to system messages through use of JES2, MVS, SDSF and automate commands.
- Supervise telecommunication operations and reinforce the confidentiality in telecommunications.
- Enter data into various databases including TCIC and NCIC.
- Enter stolen, re-cover and missing property into TCIC and NCIC database.
- Supervise telecommunication operations and reinforce the confidentiality in telecommunications.
Alarm operator skills and personality traits
We calculated that 15% of Alarm Operators are proficient in Alarm Signals, Emergency Situations, and Customer Service. They’re also known for soft skills such as Ability to multitask, Communication skills, and Empathy.
We break down the percentage of Alarm Operators that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Alarm Signals, 15%
Act accordingly upon alarm signals received by central station, dispatch on emergency alarms.
- Emergency Situations, 14%
Dispatched authorities for emergency situations Placed and received calls for possible alarm trips to ensure customer safety.
- Customer Service, 12%
Answer incoming calls Troubleshoot alarm errors Quality Customer Service
- Data Entry, 8%
Completed miscellaneous data entry and projects as assigned.
- Emergency Services, 7%
Dispatched emergency services and created reports as warranted.
- Security Systems, 7%
Receive telephone calls and assist clients who are experiencing problems with their security systems.
"alarm signals," "emergency situations," and "customer service" are among the most common skills that alarm operators use at work. You can find even more alarm operator responsibilities below, including:
Ability to multitask. To carry out their duties, the most important skill for an alarm operator to have is ability to multitask. Their role and responsibilities require that "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." Alarm operators often use ability to multitask in their day-to-day job, as shown by this real resume: "program alarm panels and work closely with technicians in the field to keep alarm systems operating efficiently. "
Communication skills. Another soft skill that's essential for fulfilling alarm operator 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 an alarm operator resume, here's how alarm operators can utilize communication skills in their job responsibilities: "handle the communication during the drill trainings and in the emergency situations during landing or taking off for the airplanes. "
Empathy. This is an important skill for alarm operators to perform their duties. For an example of how alarm operator 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 an alarm operator: "demonstrated empathy, understanding, helpfulness and patience while assisting people in stressful situations to resolve these problems. ".
Listening skills. For certain alarm operator responsibilities to be completed, the job requires competence in "listening skills." The day-to-day duties of an alarm operator rely on this skill, as "public safety telecommunicators must listen carefully to collect relevant details, even though some callers might have trouble speaking because of anxiety or stress." For example, this snippet was taken directly from a resume about how this skill applies to what alarm operators do: "provided quality customer service on every call by exercise good listening skills. "
Typing skills. Another common skill required for alarm operator responsibilities is "typing skills." This skill comes up in the duties of alarm operators all the time, as "public safety telecommunicators enter the details of calls into computers; typing speed and accuracy are essential when responding to emergencies." An excerpt from a real alarm operator resume shows how this skill is central to what an alarm operator does: "used multitasking skills; answering phones, redirecting calls, typing reports, radio communications and public relations. "
The three companies that hire the most alarm operators are:
- Securitas Electronic Security43 alarm operators jobs
- ASRC Federal2 alarm operators jobs
- First Cash Financial Services1 alarm operators jobs
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Compare different alarm operators
Alarm operator vs. Security dispatcher
Security Dispatcher are responsible for maintaining records, monitoring staff and equipment location, handling communications with various areas, and information personnel about traffic issues. They must be excellent in communication, decision making, listening, ability to multitask, speech clarity, accuracy, time management, and computer operation. These are the skills that a security dispatcher must have in order to accomplish their responsibilities.
These skill sets are where the common ground ends though. The responsibilities of an alarm operator are more likely to require skills like "alarm signals," "law enforcement agencies," "outbound calls," and "fire alarms." On the other hand, a job as a security dispatcher requires skills like "patients," "patrol," "phone calls," and "cpr." As you can see, what employees do in each career varies considerably.
Security dispatchers tend to make the most money working in the hospitality industry, where they earn an average salary of $38,120. In contrast, alarm operators make the biggest average salary, $33,657, in the utilities industry.On average, security dispatchers reach similar levels of education than alarm operators. Security dispatchers are 0.2% less likely to earn a Master's Degree and 0.1% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Alarm operator vs. Fire dispatcher
Fire dispatchers or call operators are the people you hear when you call 911 or any emergency number. They evaluate your calls to determine whether or not you need the assistance of a firefighter. Dispatchers play an important role in an emergency or non-emergency response. Fire dispatchers provide life-saving medical instructions, send ambulances and firetrucks, and, if needed, police. And yet, despite all the hysterics, these dispatchers must remain calm and collected to get and provide valuable information. A dispatcher must have good communication skills, a high moral character and integrity, emotional self-control, and empathy.
While some skills are similar in these professions, other skills aren't so similar. For example, resumes show us that alarm operator responsibilities requires skills like "alarm signals," "customer service," "data entry," and "emergency services." But a fire dispatcher might use other skills in their typical duties, such as, "blm," "computer applications," "firefighting," and "cad."
On average, fire dispatchers earn a higher salary than alarm operators. Some industries support higher salaries in each profession. Interestingly enough, fire dispatchers earn the most pay in the government industry with an average salary of $41,088. Whereas alarm operators have higher pay in the utilities industry, with an average salary of $33,657.fire dispatchers earn similar levels of education than alarm operators in general. They're 2.0% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.1% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Alarm operator vs. Emergency communications officer
Communications dispatchers are responsible for answering emergency calls and dispatch officials to sort out the situation. They are often called 911 operators or 911 dispatchers and respond to the calls from the public and relay the messages to the medical personnel, police, or the fire staff to the scene of the emergency occasion. Typical duties of communications dispatchers include receiving and responding to emergency calls, recording the calls, evaluating incidents, and prioritizing calls. Their job requires them to earn a certain certification as well as training. Interpersonal and strong listening skills are vital in this field.
There are many key differences between these two careers, including some of the skills required to perform responsibilities within each role. For example, an alarm operator is likely to be skilled in "alarm signals," "customer service," "security systems," and "cctv," while a typical emergency communications officer is skilled in "patrol," "cpr," "cad," and "emergency communications."
Emergency communications officers make a very good living in the government industry with an average annual salary of $40,271. On the other hand, alarm operators are paid the highest salary in the utilities industry, with average annual pay of $33,657.Most emergency communications officers achieve a higher degree level compared to alarm operators. For example, they're 7.5% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 1.2% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Alarm operator vs. Communications dispatcher
Types of alarm operator
Updated January 8, 2025
