Macon County Enhanced 9-1-1 dispatchers receive extensive training in their profession. In addition to the on site, equipment specific training that each dispatcher must complete, our agency provides for the following certification training:

    -    Telecommunicator or Public Safety Dispatcher

    -    Emergency Medical Dispatcher

    -    Telephone CPR (TCPR)

    -    MULES System Operator

    -    Nation Incident Management System (NIMS)

    -    Telecommunicator Emergency Response Task Force (TERT) Basic Awareness

On site training includes Computer Aided Dispatch, Digital Map, 9-1-1 Telephone, Radio and Radio Consoles and extensive map book training.  The 9-1-1 dispatcher must learn each agency's dispatch procedures, and agency specific protocols.

Upon completion of their initial training, a dispatcher will have accumulated over 600 hours of training.  Each dispatcher is required to complete additional continuing education hours to maintain their certifications.  Continuing education not only keeps a dispatcher's certifications current, but also assures the 9-1-1 dispatcher stays up to date in all aspects of their field.  Every two years a dispatcher must have accumulated enough continuing education hours to remain certified.

Before 9-1-1 service was offered in Macon County, dispatcher certification was mandatory for our agency.  Now Missouri State Statutes mandate 9-1-1 dispatchers receive training and become certified.

The newest training provided for Macon County 9-1-1 Dispatchers is Telecommunicator Emergency Response Task Force (TERT) basic awareness.  This training prepares dispatchers to "mutual aid" other dispatch centers during a disaster.  A statewide plan is being implemented, and this training is required before a 9-1-1 dispatcher can be "deployed" to help during a disaster.  An example of a TERT deployment was following Hurricane Katrina, where 9-1-1 dispatchers from several states were deployed to assist in the 9-1-1 centers in the days after the destruction occurred.  Deployments can be both "in state" and "out of state."  Each agency decides whether they can deploy resources at the time of the request, and an agency's participation in the TERT program is voluntary at this time.

D