Is there an aptitude test to determine if becoming a 911 operator is for me?

Question

I'd like to change careers and am interested in becoming a 911 op, as it seems interesting, I'd be helping people, plus it's a "portable" job. But I don't want to invest time and $ if I'm not going to be good at it. I know technical schools do whatever it takes to get you in there and get your money, so I don't want to go there first. Is there a book or on-line test for aptitude?

Answer 1

There are classes you could take and books you could study. But nothing will prepare you for actually doing the job. When you get hired at an agency they will provide all of the training you will need. So don't waste your own money but going to classes prior to applying and going through the hiring process.

While the only official job requirements are usually a high school education, valid drivers license, and clean criminal history. There is alot more employers will be looking for that are not easily "test-able" like common sense.

When applying you will also most likely have to take a written test, typing test, hearing test, polygraph, extensive background investigation and drug testing.

The job is very stressful with odd hours and you will be working weekends and holidays. I highly suggest you do a sit-a-long with one of the agencies you are interested in working for. This will give you an idea if it is something you CAN and WANT to do.

Also, I wouldn't say this profession is all portable. There are different levels of training that each agency uses. Thee are also dozens of different CAD systems, radio systems and phone syastems that 911 centers use. While experience will help with some aspects of finding a new job, it can still be hard to go from agency to agency

Answer 2

There may be a study manual for emergency dispatcher at either the local library or bookstore. Perhaps you can log onto www.amazon.com and search for some books there. I would think that one would need the ability to problem solve without a lot of supervision, have great auditory (to do with hearing) perception (understanding/processing info), and work really well under stressful circumstances in the very least. And as another postee mentioned, knowledge about emergency first aid procedures may be needed. Perhaps you can also check with your municipal police station to find out what type of training is needed in your area.

Answer 3

Go to www.mensa.org and take their fun test or warm up test. If you do well on it they will give you an honest opinion and your answers are scored right away. If they suspect that you would be smart enough to make it into mensa, I'm pretty sure you can answer a telephone.

Have fun :)

Answer 4

Dial 911 alot and befriend the operators

Answer 5

no schooling needed...patience...knowledge of some medical field..which you might want to get trained in (EMT).and a bit of common sense under pressure and you will do fine