Question about the hiring process and other info.

[KittyCat]

I am new at this forum and just joined tonight. I wanted to know if some of you can answer a few questions for me, as I am interested in a dispatching position with a fire department here and want to apply. I was in law enforcement for 12 and one half years with an agency here doing various positions from Detention Officer to a Receptionist. I resigned for personal reasons. Is that going to hurt my applying for this position? I have never been arrested, nor had a felony. I have a lot of experience behind me and was just curious. Thanks

[MrJim911]

Welcome Kitty!

To answer your question, no I don't think you leaving for personal reasons should hurt your chances of getting hired, unless the powers that be feel that you may do the same thing after you get the dispatch job. The turnover rate is so bad now-a-days they are looking for people that can stay. If your getting hired for the same area you live in that will also help because you know the area. Having a background in the LE side of things will also help. You said you'd be dong fire dispatch only correct? Who does police or is it just split up? Do you have any experience in 911 communications? Will you also be answering calls or just doing radio? Or both?

If you don't have experience make sure this is what you want to do. It's much much different then receptionist or Detention Officer. Do a sit a long in dispatch and listen in on a few calls and get a scanner to listen to the radio traffic. Keep us posted on what you decide.

Again, welcome to the board and feel free to ask or say anything on your mind and check out previous posts and add your own thoughts, opinions etc... :)

[KittyCat]

Mr. Jim:
Thanks so much for the nice welcome to the boards. Actually the dispatching job will be consisting of dispatching fire, police, sheriff, ambulance, and others. Sorry I didn't add that in earlier, but yes, it will be fire plus the others for their Emergency Management Agency. Yes, I know that this would probably be quite different from the other positions that I have been in and I don't really know if I can handle dispatching. I have heard that there is stress involved and you have to handle many things at once. Last week, I bought the "Learn How to Be A 911 Dispatcher" Book off of this site, and I have enjoyed reading it so far. I just got it the other day and it too entails what this work is all about. It is an interesting read and I recommend it. I have through the years that I was at the p.d. always been fascinated with communications and 911. I guess because I often wondered if I could ever do it? Well, hopefully I plan on getting the application and I will let you know what happens from there. I am not close to the agency, by the way, it's about 30 miles from me, but they will train, so I guess I will see. I would be answering calls and handling the radio also. No, I don't have experience in 911 but I sure want to give it a try. Thanks again.

[Duckie911]

KittyCat~
Good luck girl. If you have already worked in LE then that will probably help a bit. You have to LOVE stress because 911 dispatching in a very stressfull job - I have said more than once that (at least where I am at) sh*t rolls downhill an dispatch is in a hole at the bottom of the hill !! Sad but true.:( But have some boots ready!

[Lynn]

KittyCat,
Is that the book under law enforcement books called, "How to Become a 911 Dispatcher"? If you have received it already, how do you like it? Does it seem helpful? I would love to hear what you think! I hope it all works out for you.
Lynn :)