How to hire a fire dispatcher

How to hire a fire dispatcher, step by step

Here's a step-by-step fire dispatcher hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write a fire dispatcher job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new fire dispatcher
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

What does a fire dispatcher do?

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you start hiring a fire dispatcher, identify what type of worker you actually need. Certain positions might call for a full-time employee, while others can be done by a part-time worker or contractor.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   A fire dispatcher's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, fire dispatchers from different industries or fields will have radically different experiences and will bring different viewpoints to the role. You also need to consider the candidate's previous level of experience to make sure they'll be comfortable with the job's level of seniority.

   This list presents fire dispatcher salaries for various positions.

   Type of Fire Dispatcher	Description	Hourly rate
   Fire Dispatcher	Police, fire, and ambulance dispatchers, also called public safety telecommunicators, answer emergency and nonemergency calls.	$13-23
   Telecommunicator	A telecommunicator receives calls and obtains information from people in need of assistance. Telecommunicators, also called 911 or public safety dispatchers, use a two-way radio in dispatching the right services to police officers, first responders, and firefighters... Show more	$13-25
   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... Show more	$11-19

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • BLM
   • Computer Applications
   • Computer Aided Dispatch
   • Firefighting
   • EMS
   • CAD
   • Communication Logs
   • Fire Reports
   • Emergency Situations
   • CPR
   • Radio Traffic
   • EMD
   • Computer System
   • Communications Equipment

   Check all skills

   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.

   More fire dispatcher duties

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your fire dispatcher job description is one of the best ways to attract top talent. A fire dispatcher can vary based on:

   • Location. For example, fire dispatchers' average salary in arkansas is 61% less than in oregon.
   • Seniority. Entry-level fire dispatchers 43% less than senior-level fire dispatchers.
   • Certifications. A fire dispatcher with certifications usually earns a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for an established firm or a new start-up company can make a big difference in a fire dispatcher's salary.

   Average fire dispatcher salary

   $37,441yearly

   $18.00 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level fire dispatcher salary

   $28,000 yearly salary

   Updated January 23, 2026

   Average fire dispatcher salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	Oregon	$53,629	$26
   2	California	$50,102	$24
   3	Washington	$44,995	$22
   4	Alaska	$40,530	$19
   5	New York	$40,066	$19
   6	New Jersey	$39,088	$19
   7	Nevada	$38,465	$18
   8	Texas	$25,768	$12

   Average fire dispatcher salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	Mayor Ethan Berkowitz	$52,531	$25.26
   2	City Of Branson	$46,880	$22.54
   3	Bureau of Land Management	$44,655	$21.47
   4	City of San Diego	$41,321	$19.87	3
   5	State of Nevada Employees' Association Inc	$39,683	$19.08
   6	The State of Oregon	$36,830	$17.71	6
   7	The Hill Group	$35,997	$17.31	2
   8	Fenix Technology LLC	$34,861	$16.76
   9	MGM Resorts International	$33,300	$16.01	2
   10	State Of Idaho	$32,365	$15.56
   11	Bkb	$32,214	$15.49
   12	Texas State Teachers Association	$30,236	$14.54	1

4. Writing a fire dispatcher job description

   A fire dispatcher job description should include a summary of the role, required skills, and a list of responsibilities. It's also good to include a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager. To help get you started, here's an example of a fire dispatcher job description:

   Fire dispatcher job description example

   911 Communications Dispatchers also dispatch police, fire and medical services. Must be available to work all days, all shifts and overtime. Schedule is rotating 4 days on 4 days off, 24hr schedule, and overtime is common.

   lateral MINIMUM JOB QUALIFICATIONS :

   • Must have successfully passed training and probation for Dispatching for Police or Fire plus have 2 years on the job experience at an agency/PSAP within the United States.
   • Must have knowledge and abilities of a fully trained non probationary Dispatcher. See below Knowledge and Abilities sections.
   • Must be at least 18 years or older
   • Must be able to legally work in the United States
   • Excellent computer skills, knowledge and experience (ability to monitor 4+ computer screens)
   • Proven critical thinking skills, accurate data entry, prioritization of public safety and dependability
   • Ability to memorize and recall details, codes and procedures
   • Ability to work all days and hours, and overtime as needed

   911 DISPATCHER ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS :

   • Dispatch police, fire and medical services
   • Make fast decisions regarding which resources and personnel to dispatch based on the information at hand
   • Monitor rapidly changing data to ensure first responder safety and swift, accurate dispatch of information
   • Memorize and recall complex codes and protocol, based on policy and individual user agency protocol
   • Maintain calm and controlled demeanor over the radio
   • Assess and appropriately respond to a caller's emotional state
   • Evaluate and prioritize calls based on urgency
   • Determine the correct jurisdiction, equipment and personnel to be dispatched
   • Dispatch appropriate law, fire or emergency personnel and equipment
   • Respond to requests from emergency response personnel

   Knowledge of:

   • Current techniques, policies and procedures of public safety calltaking and dispatching
   • Agency computer systems and programs including computer aided dispatch (CAD), enhanced 911 (ANI/ALI), and automatic vehicle location (AVL) programs
   • Clark County geography, including locations and boundaries of all cities and townships; location of all major highways, streets and key buildings and landmarks; and addressing systems (i.e. streets, avenues, odd/even addresses, etc.) used for each jurisdiction
   • Type of information that is allowed to be broadcast over Federal Communications
   • Commission (FCC) radio systems
   • Proper notification for equipment failures or after hour call outs for radio, computer or phone problems

   Ability to:

   • Perform extensive data entry and data retrieval from visual and/or audio sources.
   • Understand and execute complex oral and written instructions
   • Demonstrate appropriate interpersonal communication skills for public safety call taking and dispatching
   • React quickly and correctly to emergency situations, and adopt effective course of action
   • Correctly apply detailed procedures and policies both in structured situations, such as emergency medical dispatch (EMD), and in non-routine situations that require independent judgment, critical thinking and application of complex and varied procedures and policies, such as law enforcement dispatching.
   • Learn, retain and use knowledge of Clark County geography in the course of work
   • Operate computerized equipment including computer aided dispatch (CAD), enhanced
   • 911 (ANI/ALI), and automatic vehicle location (AVL) programs
   • Dispatch public safety personnel and equipment safely, quickly and efficiently
   • Perform call taking and dispatching work by phone, radio and using other standard communications center equipment
   • Assess callers' emotional state; respond correctly to emergency and routine situations
   • Prioritize calls based on urgency

   ***See full job description for all details

   SELECTION PROCESS:

   • Application Screening
   • CRESA 911 Call Taker Dispatcher recruitment and selection process orientation video
   • CritiCall Exam
   • Panel Interview
   • Dispatch Sitalong
   • Final Interview
   • Eligible List/Ranking
   • Background Investigation
   • Conditional Offer contingent on Medical Exam, Drug Scree, Psychological Evaluation and Criminal Fingerprinting
   • Final confirmation of hire date and starting training and probation

   
   
   Job Posted by ApplicantPro
   

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5. Post your job

   There are a few common ways to find fire dispatchers for your business:

   • Promoting internally or recruiting from your existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
   • Attend job fairs at local colleges to meet candidates with the right educational background.
   • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to recruit passive job-seekers.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your fire dispatcher job on Zippia to find and recruit fire dispatcher candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   During your first interview to recruit fire dispatchers, engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. During the following interview, you'll be able to go into more detail about the company, the position, and the responsibilities.

   It's also good to ask about candidates' unique skills and talents to see if they match your ideal candidate profile. If you think a candidate is good enough for the next step, you can move on to the technical interview.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new fire dispatcher

   Once you have selected a candidate for the fire dispatcher position, it is time to create an offer letter. In addition to salary, the offer letter should include details about benefits and perks that are available to the employee. Ensuring your offer is competitive is vital, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and it is important to be open to discussion and reach a mutually beneficial agreement. After the offer has been accepted, it is a good idea to formalize the agreement with a contract.

   It's also important to follow up with applicants who do not get the job with an email letting them know that the position is filled.

   After that, you can create an onboarding schedule for a new fire dispatcher. Human Resources and the hiring manager should complete Employee Action Forms. Human Resources should also ensure that onboarding paperwork is completed, including I-9s, benefits enrollment, federal and state tax forms, etc., and that new employee files are created.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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How much does it cost to hire a fire dispatcher?