What does an emergency communications officer do?
Emergency communications officer responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real emergency communications officer resumes:
- Dispatch all patrol units to calls for service.
- Monitor Fire/EMS calls of adjacent jurisdictions.
- Maintain composure and compassion while handling emergency and non-emergency calls from a diverse community
- Retrieve sensitive information such as, DMV files and background histories.
- Insert foley catheter or straight cath a patient as directed.
- Receive training regarding updates and changes of policies, procedure and regulations to CJIS.
Emergency communications officer skills and personality traits
We calculated that 20% of Emergency Communications Officers are proficient in Patrol, Computer Aided Dispatch, and Emergency Situations. They’re also known for soft skills such as Ability to multitask, Communication skills, and Empathy.
We break down the percentage of Emergency Communications Officers that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Patrol, 20%
Coordinated services with other local agencies, such as Fire/Medical/Florida Highway Patrol.
- Computer Aided Dispatch, 10%
Initiated outgoing calls and responded appropriately using computer aided dispatch system.
- Emergency Situations, 7%
Gained the ability to multitask quickly and efficiently in emergency situations.
- CPR, 6%
Assisted training division with various Fire/EMS related training CPR Instructor Assisted in public education.
- CAD, 6%
Handled emergency and non-emergency calls received by the Sheriff's Department using the Enhanced 911 system and CAD computer system.
- EMS, 6%
Communicate with EMS, Fire and Law Enforcement while on scene to ensure safety and proper accounting of resources.
"patrol," "computer aided dispatch," and "emergency situations" are among the most common skills that emergency communications officers use at work. You can find even more emergency communications officer responsibilities below, including:
Ability to multitask. The most essential soft skill for an emergency communications officer to carry out their responsibilities is ability to multitask. This skill is important for the role 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, an emergency communications officer resume shows how their duties depend on ability to multitask: "perform dmv or criminal history queries as requested by law enforcement. "
Communication skills. Another soft skill that's essential for fulfilling emergency communications officer 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 emergency communications officer resume, here's how emergency communications officers can utilize communication skills in their job responsibilities: "operate computerized emergency communications telephone equipment. "
Empathy. This is an important skill for emergency communications officers to perform their duties. For an example of how emergency communications officer 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 emergency communications officer: "displayed patience, caring, and understanding until police, fire, or ems arrived on the scene. ".
Listening skills. For certain emergency communications officer responsibilities to be completed, the job requires competence in "listening skills." The day-to-day duties of an emergency communications officer 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 emergency communications officers do: "communicated with boeing security and boeing fire department in emergency situations. "
Typing skills. Another crucial skill for an emergency communications officer to carry out their responsibilities is "typing skills." A big part of what emergency communications officers relies on this skill, since "public safety telecommunicators enter the details of calls into computers; typing speed and accuracy are essential when responding to emergencies." How this skill relates to emergency communications officer duties can be seen in an example from an emergency communications officer resume snippet: "fax, copy, email, typing, computer skills, and etc.received dci, cit, ncaware and tty training/certifications. "
See the full list of emergency communications officer skills
The three companies that hire the most emergency communications officers are:
- Allied Universal
26 emergency communications officers jobs
- Securitas AB2 emergency communications officers jobs
- State of Arizona1 emergency communications officers jobs
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Compare different emergency communications officers
Emergency communications officer vs. Public safety dispatcher
A public safety dispatcher is primarily responsible for handling emergency or non-emergency calls from the public. They are in charge of identifying the caller's needs calmly and proactively, dispatching law enforcement officers or emergency responders at the scene in a timely and efficient manner. They must operate communications equipment, manage schedules, and quickly adapt to any situation as the calls can be unpredictable and critical. Furthermore, as a public safety dispatcher, it is essential to maintain records of all calls and interactions, adhering to the organization's policies and regulations at all times.
There are some key differences in the responsibilities of each position. For example, emergency communications officer responsibilities require skills like "emergency situations," "emergency communications," "emergency services," and "radio equipment." Meanwhile a typical public safety dispatcher has skills in areas such as "customer service," "good judgment," "two-way radio," and "emd." This difference in skills reveals the differences in what each career does.
Public safety dispatchers really shine in the government industry with an average salary of $39,953. Comparatively, emergency communications officers tend to make the most money in the government industry with an average salary of $40,271.public safety dispatchers tend to reach similar levels of education than emergency communications officers. In fact, public safety dispatchers are 4.1% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.5% less likely to have a Doctoral Degree.Emergency communications officer vs. Radio 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.
In addition to the difference in salary, there are some other key differences worth noting. For example, emergency communications officer responsibilities are more likely to require skills like "cpr," "emergency communications," "public safety agencies," and "data entry." Meanwhile, a radio dispatcher has duties that require skills in areas such as "non-emergency calls," "two-way radio," "radio communications," and "radio transmissions." These differences highlight just how different the day-to-day in each role looks.
Radio dispatchers earn lower levels of education than emergency communications officers in general. They're 6.7% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.5% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Emergency communications officer vs. Fire dispatcher
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.
The required skills of the two careers differ considerably. For example, emergency communications officers are more likely to have skills like "patrol," "emergency communications," "public safety agencies," and "data entry." But a fire dispatcher is more likely to have skills like "blm," "computer applications," "communication logs," and "fire reports."
Fire dispatchers earn the best pay in the government industry, where they command an average salary of $41,088. Emergency communications officers earn the highest pay from the government industry, with an average salary of $40,271.fire dispatchers typically earn lower educational levels compared to emergency communications officers. Specifically, they're 5.4% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 1.0% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Emergency communications officer vs. Call taker
Types of emergency communications officer
Updated January 8, 2025
