According to people in this career, the main tasks are...
| Task | Importance |
|---|---|
| Provide emergency medical instructions to callers. | 98% |
| Question callers to determine their locations and the nature of their problems to determine type of response needed. | 97% |
| Determine response requirements and relative priorities of situations, and dispatch units in accordance with established procedures. | 96% |
| Receive incoming telephone or alarm system calls regarding emergency and non-emergency police and fire service, emergency ambulance service, information, and after-hours calls for departments within a city. | 95% |
| Relay information and messages to and from emergency sites, to law enforcement agencies, and to all other individuals or groups requiring notification. | 94% |
| Record details of calls, dispatches, and messages. | 94% |
| Monitor various radio frequencies, such as those used by public works departments, school security, and civil defense, to stay apprised of developing situations. | 93% |
| Read and effectively interpret small-scale maps and information from a computer screen to determine locations and provide directions. | 92% |
| Maintain access to, and security of, highly sensitive materials. | 91% |
| Operate and maintain mobile dispatch vehicles and equipment. | 91% |
| Enter, update, and retrieve information from teletype networks and computerized data systems regarding such things as wanted persons, stolen property, vehicle registration, and stolen vehicles. | 91% |
| Scan status charts and computer screens, and contact emergency response field units to determine emergency units available for dispatch. | 90% |
| Answer routine inquiries, and refer calls not requiring dispatches to appropriate departments and agencies. | 89% |
| Learn material and pass required tests for certification. | 87% |
| Observe alarm registers and scan maps to determine whether a specific emergency is in the dispatch service area. | 86% |
| Monitor alarm systems to detect emergencies, such as fires and illegal entry into establishments. | 86% |
| Maintain files of information relating to emergency calls, such as personnel rosters and emergency call-out and pager files. | 84% |
| Test and adjust communication and alarm systems, and report malfunctions to maintenance units. | 80% |
