To be a Columbia County 911 Telecommunicator you must have the ability to:
	interpret and apply policies and procedures to emergency situations
	operate radio equipment quickly and calmly in routine and emergency situations
	work under pressure
	understand, retain, and transmit information while performing several functions at one time
	analyze situations accurately and take effective action
	establish and maintain effective working relationships with department staff, various public agencies, the general public, and others contacted in the course of work
	communicate effectively both orally and in writing prepare and maintain accurate reports and records
	perform clerical work of average difficulty
	operate communications equipment and standard office equipment
	communicate effectively and coherently over radio channels while initiating and responding to radio communications
	type at 30 words per minute operating a computer keyboard accurately and with appropriate speed
	utilize various software programs relevant to the position.

Our job requirements, certifications and continuing education courses include:
	911 Emergency Dispatcher civil service exam
	12+ weeks "on the job training"
	24 hours "ride-a-long" time with a rescue squad and a police agency for 2 - 12 hour shifts each
	Certification in the APCO Basic Telecommunicator Course
	Advanced Dispatcher Course given by the NYS Fire Academy in Montour Falls, NY
	Certification in American Heart Association CPR/Heimlich Maneuver, recertifying every 2 years
	Members of the National Association of Emergency Medical Dispatch
	Certification in Emergency Medical Dispatching (EMD) using the Advanced Medical Priority Dispatch System with recertification every 2 years. (The recertification process mandates continuing education credits)
	Power Phone "Law Enforcement Dispatch" course
	Power Phone "Suicide Intervention Dispatch" course

Other continuing education courses many of us have taken:
	Power Phone "Active Shooting Response"
	Power Phone "Non-Emergency Call Handling"
	Power Phone "Homeland Security for Telecommunicators"
	National Incident Management System (NIMS) 100 and 700
	Power Phone "Law Enforcement Dispatch Crisis Communications Training" course
	Power Phone "Domestic Violence Intervention" Specialized Workshop
	APCO "Fire Dispatch Training"
	Power Phone "Advanced Law Enforcement Dispatch" course
	Power Phone "Stress Identification & Management" course
	Introduction to Incident Command System (ICS 100) given by the State Emergency Management Office (SEMO)
	Incident Command System Basic course (ICS 200) given by the State Emergency Management Office (SEMO)
	APCO "Communications Center Supervisor" course
	Power Phone "Suicide Intervention for Dispatchers Crisis Communication Training Program"
	Fire Training in the Weapons of Mass Destruction: Awareness Course given by the Office of Fire Prevention and Control
	Fire Training in Weapons of Mass Destruction Incident Response Seminar given by Onondaga Community College Public Safety Training Center
	Power Phone "911 Liabilities Specialized Workshop"
	HAZMAT First Responder Operations Refresher given by Office of Fire Prevention & Control (OFPC)

Most Columbia County 911 telecommunicators are, or have been, involved in emergency services in one way or another as police dispatchers, police officers, firefighters, paramedics, EMTs, HAZMAT members, Cause & Origin members and many of us have 10 or more years of experience dispatching emergency calls.