I support the in-service requirements for dispatchers/telecommunicators.  In too many agencies, telecommunicators attend the basic course and receive no further training.  It is important to ensure the skills are maintained and new ones learned.  I encourage the Board to continue moving forward with this update.

Orange County Emergency Communications Center supports the Dispatcher Curriculum Review Committee's (CRC) recommendations for the In-service Dispatch requirements 

The knowledge of this industry is ever-changing to keep up with technology and community requirements. The applications used and protocols applied as a result are constantly challenging the professional to keep up to support the public safety response.

New and current technologies are changing the face of public safety communications and will challenge telecommunicators to think and operate in new and complex ways to synthesize and manage multiple streams of incoming and outgoing information.

Whether a new telecommunicator or a seasoned professional, complacency can create the worst outcomes. Refreshing the basics is as critical in this profession as any other within public safety. 

I support continuing education for communicators, so fundamental information may be provided to the Basic Communicator with advanced knowledge/classes being provided thereafter.  

I write on behalf of the Board of Directors for the Virginia Chapter of the Association of Public Safety Communications Officials (VA APCO) to endorse the in-service training requirements recommended by the Dispatcher Curriculum Review Committee (CRC) and the Committee on Training (COT) in 2016.

Many public safety disciplines require in-service training, and the VA APCO Board believes dispatchers, also known as public safety telecommunicators (PSTs), similarly require ongoing learning and development. Virginia’s PSTs (dispatchers) face constantly changing technologies, policies, and threats to public safety, which require continuous development and practice.

As DCJS aptly notes in the NOIRA Background Document, “dispatchers are often the first responders to emergency situations.” The first of the first responders, Virginia’s telecommunicators handle critical incidents every day and must be trained to handle some of the most complex and dire problems our citizens face. As we described to Virginia’s Congressional delegation, “PSTs process multiple streams of information in each ear. They synthesize in real-time each new icon, light, or sound across multiple screens and disparate phone, radio, and dispatch systems, applying complex policies, procedures, and skills. The call to focus is instant and acute. The application of judgement is rapid and of dire consequence. This is more than just the adept use of multi-focal technologies, but constant integration, query, response, problem solving, rapid judgement, and quick thinking.” This is critical, life-saving work, performed by dedicated professionals who deserve our commitment to their success and the safety of the public. We strongly support the ongoing training of these public safety professionals today, just as we did in our initial filing on 60VAC20-60 in early 2016. (https://townhall.virginia.gov/L/viewcomments.cfm?commentid=49634)

Virginia APCO looks forward to working with and supporting DCJS in implementing in-service requirements in the coming months, including supporting online training to accommodate the diverse staffing and budgets of the Commonwealth’s dispatch community. We thank DCJS for the opportunity to comment for its efforts supporting public safety telecommunications in Virginia. 

I support the proposed in-service training requirements for Public Safety Dispatchers.  It is imperative they keep abreast with ever-changing techniques, technologies and professional networking opportunities afforded by frequent in-service training.  

There will be additional costs by the supporting agency for sending Dispatchers to in-service training.  I encourage DCJS to be open to allow dynamic, non-traditional, value-added opportunities for Dispatcher in-service credits.  Consider alternatives such as webinars, attendance of emergency communications conferences, industry-specific certification equivlancy and in-the-Communications Center training utilizing DCJS instructors/credentialed public safety communications subject matter experts.  A creative, intuitive in-service training system minimizes costs and continually maximizes Dispatchers’ skills; the end goal of this important change.

Individuals processing 9-1-1 telephone calls and dispatching emergency services in our state (known as Dispatchers, 9-1-1 Communications Officers, and Telecommunicators), specifically for law enforcement matters and law enforcement agencies regulated by the Department of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS), should have the requirement of additional in-service training on a regular schedule after the completion of the initial required training, just as occurs for other law enforcement disciplines regulated by DCJS.

While am certain there are some jurisdictions currently providing some type of regular in-service training after initial training occurs, I am also certain there are many jurisdictions not providing any regular in-service training. The reality is those processing 9-1-1 telephone calls and dispatching law enforcement personnel (as well as other public safety disciplines, such as the fire-service and emergency medical services) are part of the public safety community, and assuring regular training is occurring and provided (as is recommended by the Curriculum Review Committee (CRC)) is not only needed, but would suspect is already expected by the public. The in-service training recommended will provide a mechanism to assure the 9-1-1 and dispatch community is aware of the many changes occurring in the profession as well as a mechanism to provide focus on crucial dispatch/call processing skills required of those processing 9-1-1 calls and dispatching emergency services.

Writing on behalf of the Eastern Shore of Virginia 9-1-1 Commission, I support the recommendations from the CRC and approved by the Committee on Training (COT), related to Dispatcher In-Service training.

As a 911 Dispatcher in the Commenwealth of Virginia for 14 years and counting, I endorse the in-service training requirements recommended by the Dispatcher Curriculum Review Committee (CRC) and the Committee on Training (COT). 

I have worked in several centers throughout the Commenwealth and can speak to the observed need for continuous required training. We are the first first responders, yet we are not required to prove any maintained standard of knowledge or skill. Some individual agencies have made their own requirements, but until it is a state required standard, then you, or your loved ones could call 911 and find themselves talking to someone who hasn’t picked up a new piece of new knowledge or revisited basic information since their first training years, or decades ago. Complacency is one of the biggest threats to our industry. This won’t fix it, but it’s a step in the right direction. 

As a retired firefighter with 27 years experience in the Commenwealth of Virginia, I endorse the in-service training requirements recommended by the Dispatcher Curriculum Review Committee (CRC) and the Committee on Training (COT). 

I am in full support of the changes presented in this action. It is important for ALL Communications Officers be thoroughly trained with the knowledge to handle the calls and other tasks presented to them on a daily basis.

I am in support of the Virginia APCO Dispatcher Curriculum Review Committee’s (CRC) recommendations below:

• Require 24 hours of in-service training. 

• Require in-service to be completed every two years.

• Breakdown of in-service hours are as follows: 
  a. 2 hours of legal
  b. 22 hours of career development

Thank you for your consideration of these recommendations