Emergency dispatch operator vs fire dispatcher

The differences between emergency dispatch operators and fire dispatchers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, an emergency dispatch operator has an average salary of $45,398, which is higher than the $37,441 average annual salary of a fire dispatcher.

The top three skills for an emergency dispatch operator include departmental procedures, emergency dispatch and customer service. The most important skills for a fire dispatcher are BLM, computer applications, and computer aided dispatch.

Emergency dispatch operator vs fire dispatcher overview

	Emergency Dispatch Operator	Fire Dispatcher
Yearly salary	$45,398	$37,441
Hourly rate	$21.83	$18.00
Growth rate	4%	4%
Number of jobs	48,634	7,959
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 34%	Bachelor's Degree, 36%
Average age	39	39
Years of experience	-	-

Emergency dispatch operator vs fire dispatcher salary

Emergency dispatch operators and fire dispatchers have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Emergency Dispatch Operator	Fire Dispatcher
Average salary	$45,398	$37,441
Salary range	Between $32,000 And $64,000	Between $28,000 And $49,000
Highest paying City	-	Grants Pass, OR
Highest paying state	-	Oregon
Best paying company	-	Mayor Ethan Berkowitz
Best paying industry	-	Government

Differences between emergency dispatch operator and fire dispatcher education

There are a few differences between an emergency dispatch operator and a fire dispatcher in terms of educational background:

	Emergency Dispatch Operator	Fire Dispatcher
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 34%	Bachelor's Degree, 36%
Most common major	Business	Criminal Justice
Most common college	-	-

Emergency dispatch operator vs fire dispatcher demographics

Here are the differences between emergency dispatch operators' and fire dispatchers' demographics:

	Emergency Dispatch Operator	Fire Dispatcher
Average age	39	39
Gender ratio	Male, 29.8% Female, 70.2%	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 emergency dispatch operator and fire dispatcher duties and responsibilities

Emergency dispatch operator example responsibilities.

Train in first responder, CPR, hazmat, wreckmaster.
Educate customers in event history, update data, and troubleshoot their alarm system.
Analyze, troubleshoot and resolve customer telephone inquiries regarding billing issues, service offerings, and equipment usage.
Deploy fire, police, EMT workers to designate locations to assist with crime, injuries, or fire.
Have current appropriate plans, procedures, guidance and laws issue by the county and FEMA available within the EOC.
Answer emergency calls/dispatch police fire and sheriff, enter and cancel stolen property and vehicles, run criminal history

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.

Emergency dispatch operator vs fire dispatcher skills

Common emergency dispatch operator skills

Departmental Procedures, 15%
Emergency Dispatch, 13%
Customer Service, 11%
Inbound Calls, 10%
Outbound Calls, 10%
Customer Satisfaction, 6%

Common fire dispatcher skills

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

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Emergency Dispatch Operator
Emergency Dispatch Operator vs Fire Dispatcher

Updated January 8, 2025

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