Certified Emergency Communications Operator Training

Required Certifications

Emergency Medical Dispatch

CPR/AED

Crisis Intervention Training

Virginia Crime Information Network (VCIN)

On the Job Training

If you are a Certified Communications Operator and have previous experience and qualifiications, you will receive on-the-job training that is focused on enhancing your existing knowledge and familiarizing you to the Suffolk Emergency Communications Center policies and processes.

Emergency Communication Operators, also known as 911 Dispatchers, play an important role in emergency and non-emergency response in our community. Dispatching can be very stressful at times, but is also highly rewarding. Communication Operators gather critical information from callers and send appropriate resources as quickly and efficiently as possible. One of the most important attributes of a dispatcher is the ability to multi-task, such as answering a 911 call, monitoring radio traffic and toning out emergency personnel at the same time, all while entering information into a computer. Other attributes include listening, compassion and the ability to remain calm under stressful conditions.