PUBLIC SAFETY TELECOMMUNICATOR I

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF THE CLASS:

The Public Safety Telecommunicator I (PST-I) performs specialized work in receiving emergency calls. The PST-

I will also have secondary knowledge and abilities in dispatching the appropriate police, fire, and EMS agencies

to the incident scene. Using highly technical computer aided dispatch systems (CAD) and multi-channel

radio/paging consoles, PST-I’s must act quickly, efficiently, calmly, and accurately to process incoming

emergency calls and dispatch and coordinate emergency responder resources. PST-I’s are expected to observe all

local, state, and federal laws as well as established policies and guidelines that direct them in meeting department

goals. This class is subject to shift work; ability to work nights, weekends and holidays is required.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

 Interviews all emergency callers to determine the nature of the emergency, location of the incident, other

related information and the need for dispatching of emergency assistance using a telephone switchboard

according to established rules and procedures.

 Dispatches fire units, police cruisers, ambulance and other necessary emergency and non-emergency vehicles

in order to aid officers in the field or the public in emergency or non-emergency situations using radio

communication, text-telephones and computer aided dispatch (CAD) system.

 Responsible for the management of callers by keeping them calm and providing instructions to keep them

safe, as well as others at the scene. Communicates with special needs callers; including callers from a diverse

demographic background.

 Complete CAD masks and type messages to be used for future reference using information received from the

teletype and radio or telephone conversations on a computer keyboard with speed and accuracy as the

information becomes available to maintain accurate reference files.

 Determines appropriate emergency response jurisdiction and availability of nearest unit to dispatch; using

incoming and outgoing radio transmission to monitor and track a unit as an ongoing process throughout the

shift. Appropriately, transfers or routes call for emergency services to outside jurisdictions.

 Make request for ambulances, tow vehicles, firefighting, sheriff, police and allied agency units and other

emergency services to assist emergency personnel in the field using radio communications as requested or

required by Officers or other emergency personnel.