Employment

Dispatchers are the main link between law enforcement, EMS, and Fire units. It takes a well focused person to do the job correctly. As a Public Safety Telecommunicator, you will be taking a variety of calls on a daily basis. These calls will range from persons wanting phone numbers to someone requesting help while they take their last breath. Each call you take is very important. All new dispatchers must go through extensive training, and not all can make it, if you feel you can help and can handle stress well, please apply!

Below are state requirements to be a Public Safety Dispatcher. The Blount County Communications Center has further requirements which you will receive during training.
 

Requirements for public safety dispatchers.

(a)  Regardless of agency or governmental jurisdiction, each 911 or public safety dispatcher who receives an initial 911 call from the public or other emergency aid request by telephone or radio is subject to the training and course of study requirements established by the emergency communications board established by § 7-86-302. 

(b)  The emergency communications board established by § 7-86-302 is the sole authority to implement this section. 

(c)  Except as provided in subsection (e), beginning July 1, 2000, all public safety dispatchers who receive requests for emergency aid by telephone or radio, or who dispatch emergency aid resources by radio or other telecommunication device shall have successfully completed a course of study approved by the committee created pursuant to § 58-2-201 [repealed]. 

(d)  Except as provided in subsection (f), in addition to the requirements of subsection (c), any such person shall: 

(1) Be at least eighteen (18) years of age; 

(2) Be a citizen of the United States; 

(3) Be a high school graduate or possess equivalency; 

(4) Not have been convicted or pleaded guilty to or entered a plea of nolo contendere to any felony charge or to any violation of any federal or state laws or city ordinances relating to force, violence, theft, dishonesty, gambling, liquor or controlled substances; 

(5) Not have been released or discharged under other than an honorable or medical discharge from any of the armed forces of the United States; 

(6) Have such person's fingerprints on file with the Tennessee bureau of investigation; 

(7) Have passed a physical examination by a licensed physician; and 

(8) Have a good moral character as determined by a thorough investigation conducted by the employing agency. 

(e)  All public safety dispatchers subject to the provisions of this section employed after July 1, 2000, shall have six (6) months from the date of their employment to comply with the provisions of this section. 

(f)  Notwithstanding other provisions of law to the contrary, the law in effect prior to May 1, 1994, relative to public safety dispatchers shall apply to any person who had more than five (5) years of continuous employment as a public safety dispatcher on May 1, 1994.