911 Board Releases $2.2 Million For Dispatcher Training
“We’ve set uniform standards because we want to do all we can to improve the effectiveness of 911,” said TECB Executive Director Lynn Questell. “We know many districts exceed these standards and provide additional training and support to their dispatchers. We certainly want to provide the local 911 districts with the needed funds to for this training.”
“We’re
pleased we can provide these funds,” Questell said.
“Not every state has minimum requirements. And among those that do, not every
state provides funding for the training.
TECB requires that all dispatchers to have 40 hours of supervised, on-the-job training and 40 hours of public safety communications coursework within the first six months of employment. Additionally, dispatchers must participate in regular continuing education.
The
training standards in
“Our Board has set solid standards for the training of 911 dispatchers,” said TECB Chair Randy Porter. “We want to be sure the districts have the funds they need to train those dispatchers. Uniform training of dispatchers results in improved response to emergencies.”
The TECB
was created by the General Assembly in 1998 to assist ECDs’
boards of directors in management, operations and accountability, with the goal
of establishing reliable emergency communications for all citizens of the
state. It’s a successful formula; in 2005,
The TECB is
administratively attached to the Department of Commerce and Insurance, which
works to protect consumers while ensuring fair competition for industries and
professionals who do business in