What happens if you call 911 and say nothing?

But what happens if a 911 dispatcher hears nothing but silence? Still, because some silent calls are true emergencies, 911 dispatchers are trained to follow silent call protocols. That means immediately sending a police officer to the call location—if the caller used a landline.

When should you hang up with the 911 dispatcher?

Whatever you do, don’t hang up on a 911 dispatcher. The worst thing you can do to a 911 dispatcher is end the call before they answer. Every time someone calls and hangs up, dispatchers are required to call that number back.

How many calls does a dispatcher get a day?

They answer more calls than you can imagine That works out to about 650,000 calls every single day, according to Chris Carver, operations director for the National Emergency Number Association (NENA).

How stressful is being a 911 dispatcher?

In 2013, being an EMD was named the 13th most stressful job in America. The job is highly demanding – dispatchers are dealing with constant bursts of adrenaline as they receive panicked calls for up to 12 hours a day.

What is the turnover rate for 911 dispatchers?

15-20\%
The National Emergency Number Association reports that nationally, emergency dispatch centers are seeing 15-20\% employee turnover.

Can a dispatcher hang up on you?

Yes, it’s legal. Most dispatcher won’t hang up on a caller even after they’ve determined it’s not a true emergency, unless they just can’t get a non-emergency caller off the phone. But if it’s a busy night and 911 is ringing off the hook, they have to get the first caller off, so they can get to the next one.

What is the difference between a 911 operator and dispatcher?

A dispatcher may be the person who fields the initial call and then assigns the proper units or workers to the scene. The operator, on the other hand, coordinates any other necessary efforts after the initial call.

Is it hard to get a job as a 911 dispatcher?

Dispatching Jobs are Difficult to Get To qualify to apply for a 911 dispatcher job, you must meet a number of requirements. These include: High school diploma/GED or higher education depending on the service. Speak excellent and clear English and be able to write it as well.

What are the disadvantages of being a 911 dispatcher?

It’s not guaranteed; you’re not a police officer, but it’s helpful. Cons: You often deal with people in their darkest hour. Some people are hard to deal with anyway even when it’s not an emergency but you will also deal with people in extreme situations. The job isn’t for everybody, especially on the medical side.

Will 911 call back if you hang up?

If you accidentally dialed 911, do not hang up, explain to the dispatcher that you called by mistake. If you hang up, the dispatcher will call you back. By not answering that call, the dispatcher will send police to your home.

Do you get charged for calling 911 accidentally?

Everyone makes mistakes, and there is no penalty to accidentally calling 911. The Communications Dispatcher will want to verify your name and address, and ensure that there is not a real emergency. If you do hang up, they will call you back to confirm that you are safe.

What does a 911 dispatcher do?

Therefore, their job duties include: Answering all incoming 911 calls Collecting all pertinent information from the caller using excellent verbal communication skills Entering all information into the computer-aided dispatch system (CADS) Routing the call to the appropriate dispatcher or other service agency

Would you dispatch a 911 call if there is no need?

If the 911 call taker is certain there is no need to respond, than yes. I used to be a sworn supervisor for a large PSAP (911 center). If the call taker wasn’t certain, I’d make the decision. If they were uneasy, I’d have them create a call in the computer system and clear it out without dispatching the call.

What does a 911 call taker job entail?

The 911 call taker jobs also involve determining if the call is a crime in progress (often called “hot calls”), as this type of call requires a specific approach so as to protect the safety of citizens and the responding emergency personnel.

What kind of questions will be asked in a dispatcher interview?

There will be various types of questions that will test how successful you will be as a dispatcher. The questions types will focus on your: Decision making – As a dispatcher you are the first line of defense and you need to know which emergency service to dispatch. Be prepared to listen to potential situations and pick a course of action.