Communications dispatcher vs fire dispatcher

The differences between communications dispatchers and fire dispatchers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a fire dispatcher has an average salary of $37,441, which is higher than the $35,153 average annual salary of a communications dispatcher.

The top three skills for a communications dispatcher include computer aided dispatch, CAD and emergency situations. The most important skills for a fire dispatcher are BLM, computer applications, and computer aided dispatch.

Communications dispatcher vs fire dispatcher overview

	Communications Dispatcher	Fire Dispatcher
Yearly salary	$35,153	$37,441
Hourly rate	$16.90	$18.00
Growth rate	4%	4%
Number of jobs	19,172	7,959
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 40%	Bachelor's Degree, 36%
Average age	39	39
Years of experience	-	-

What does a communications dispatcher do?

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.

What does a fire dispatcher do?

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.

Communications dispatcher vs fire dispatcher salary

Communications dispatchers and fire dispatchers have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Communications Dispatcher	Fire Dispatcher
Average salary	$35,153	$37,441
Salary range	Between $26,000 And $47,000	Between $28,000 And $49,000
Highest paying City	Santa Rosa, CA	Grants Pass, OR
Highest paying state	California	Oregon
Best paying company	City of Richmond	Mayor Ethan Berkowitz
Best paying industry	Government	Government

Differences between communications dispatcher and fire dispatcher education

There are a few differences between a communications dispatcher and a fire dispatcher in terms of educational background:

	Communications Dispatcher	Fire Dispatcher
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 40%	Bachelor's Degree, 36%
Most common major	Criminal Justice	Criminal Justice
Most common college	-	-

Communications dispatcher vs fire dispatcher demographics

Here are the differences between communications dispatchers' and fire dispatchers' demographics:

	Communications Dispatcher	Fire Dispatcher
Average age	39	39
Gender ratio	Male, 29.6% Female, 70.4%	Male, 36.6% Female, 63.4%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 9.1% Unknown, 6.0% Hispanic or Latino, 11.1% Asian, 0.9% White, 72.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%	Black or African American, 9.1% Unknown, 6.0% Hispanic or Latino, 11.1% Asian, 0.9% White, 72.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%
LGBT Percentage	17%	17%

Differences between communications dispatcher and fire dispatcher duties and responsibilities

Communications dispatcher example responsibilities.

Manage Facebook page and create event page for grand opening.
Provide first aid, CPR and emergency oxygen as required.
Provide telephone service on the TDD communication device for the deaf and hearing impair.
Respond verbally and used TDD (text telephone device for hearing or speech impair) to communicate with callers when need.
Maintain composure and compassion while handling emergency and non-emergency calls from a diverse community
Coordinate the response of ambulances and public safety units to emergency sites or in-progress crime situations.

Fire dispatcher example responsibilities.

Certify as APCO Telecommunicator and APCO EMD.
Dispatch police, fire, and ems to location for resident assistance.
Dispatch fire and ems as needed as well as the fire marshals.
Check for wanted/warrants using NCIC, ALACOP, and computer generate warrant lists.
Perform warrant checks when request through the ACIC and NCIC criminal information centers.
Save an infant by telling the mother how to give CPR to the non-responsive infant.

Communications dispatcher vs fire dispatcher skills

Common communications dispatcher skills

Computer Aided Dispatch, 12%
CAD, 8%
Emergency Situations, 5%
CPR, 5%
Dispatch System, 5%
Good Judgment, 5%

Common fire dispatcher skills

BLM, 20%
Computer Applications, 16%
Computer Aided Dispatch, 6%
Firefighting, 5%
EMS, 5%
CAD, 4%

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Communications Dispatcher
Communications Dispatcher vs Fire Dispatcher

Updated January 8, 2025

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