Program Overview
Our intensive program presents skills and knowledge identified as critical for career entry by 911 center directors, the PCC 911 advisory committee and professional telecommunications organizations. It is designed to develop abilities in areas such as:
- crisis intervention
- stress management
- oral communication
- human relations
- criminal and civil law
- keyboarding
- emergency medical dispatching
- telephone techniques
- radio broadcasting procedures
- communication center operations
After successful completion of ETC 103 and ETC 104, students may take the National Academies of Emergency Dispatch (NAED), Emergency TeleCommunicator exam, in order to gain competitive skills and a nationally recognized certificate.
Our curriculum is designed to introduce you to emergency communications and covers the basics of call receiving, two-way radio communications and computer-aided dispatching, and follows the national 40-hour telecommunicator training program developed by the NAED. Currently, telecommunicators may be trained in a variety of emergency situations, including everything from hostage situations to childbirths.
Emergency Tele Communicator (ETC) / 911 Dispatcher Certificate
Generally, students complete the 26 credit certificate in two terms. Students who complete 26-30 credits will receive the ETC certificate. Students who complete an additional seven ETC courses may be eligible to receive a one-year certificate (47 credits).
In addition, other state approved certifications, such as LEDS and CISM, may be obtained through our program.
While in the program, students must:
- Participate in ride-alongs and sit-alongs with professionals in emergency services.
- Participate in emergency services activities, such as disaster drills and community education in emergency preparedness, or an activity involving personal emergency preparedness.