911 Dispatcher

My Dad has done this for 16 years in a small town where the job might not be as stressful as it is in a city that is getting hit with calls non-stop. They only have one dispatcher working each shift and they rotate shifts. 12 hour shifts, he works nights one week, days the next and so on. I can see the crazy hours taking their toll on him; he is always tired. But I do think he enjoys the challenge of the job and being in a position to help and calm people. He also gets a lot of vacation time. He had extensive training courses and even had to ride around with a policeman for awhile when he first started. He was the supervisor for awhile but gave that up after having a heart attack (too much stress among other things) and went back to being a regular dispatcher. He also remapped the whole county and named all the farm roads making it easier to get help to people who lived out in the country where everybody's address was route 1. I think he had special training to do that also. Overall, while the job has been hard, I think it's been an adventure for him that's made him feel like he's been able to contribute something worthy to his community and support his family at the same time.

Good morning!

I do not know what agency you are looking to work for but i know that in Arlington they are hiring. 911 dispatcher is just like any other job it has good days and bad days but nothing horrible. The main reason there is high turnover rate is because a lot of people do get hired on do not really understand that it is shift work and 24/7 kinda of work. Until you get some seniority, do not expect to have good days off or the hours that you want. There is also periods were there might be alot of overtime.

Let me know if there is anything specific you would like to know.

M.

I thought about this when i decide to return to the work force.
(next year)
I have done shift work before. It can be very grueling work, especially if you have a child. those 12 hour shifts are a bear!! Seniority counts alot. They tend to overwork the rookies until you learn the ropes. Don't let them take advantage of you in the beginning...
Can you work overtime? Can you switch shifts? Can you work some extra holidays?
My husband wants me to find a 9-5 no weekends and holidays kind of job. It can be frustrating when you have to work christmas,new years, or thanksgiving while the rest of your family is at home without you.
I imagine there is going to be stress involved. You are saving people via telephone. Any small mistake could cost someone their lives.
Think about it. Is this what you want?

I haven't done this, but my husband is a dispatcher. I know you could do it all. You sound like a smart lady willing to take the bull by the horns.

The only thing I'd caution is that the schedules can be pretty crazy. I don't know how it works where you're applying, but my husband works twelve hour shifts and is on a seasonal day to night rotation. Right now he's on days, but right before Christmas he goes back to nights. It's crazy enough being married to it, I couldn't imagine doing it single with a three year old. How do you find all night care and then sleep with a three year old?

God bless your search. I hope this thought helps your decision.

My mom became a 911 dispatcher in Wichita Falls just over a year ago. She LOVES it! It's something that she had never really considered before and I thought she would have a hard time, b/c she's always been such worry-wart about everything! She is very happy with her job. She does, however, work 4 12-hour shifts, from 11pm to 11 am, a week. This has been hard b/c of the adjusment to the weird schedule, but she still likes it. I would just consider the hours with the paticular county/city, so it works with your schedule.