Departments

Emergency Services

Emergency Communications

Training

In order to prepare our personnel to handle the many calls for emergency assistance the Bucks County Department of Emergency Communications has created a Training Division to meet the ever-increasing need of adequate training. Training Division staff consists of qualified instructors and communications training officers (CTO's) who are certified to local state and national standards for public safety communications. The Training Division is a service and support entity providing for the training needs of this Department and also provides specific topic-related training services for system users and the citizens of Bucks County through various educational programs. The Department of Emergency Communications is committed to high standards of training to assist in meeting the Department's goals and compliance with local, Commonwealth and national standards.

Initial Training - Dispatcher Trainee

Newly hired Dispatcher Trainees are introduced to the Bucks County Emergency Communications system and facilities and learn through an intensified basic training program. The 570-hour program is divided into several phases to provide the Dispatcher Trainee with the maximum exposure to the required training materials and modules. Each phase is designed to be progressive adding new information and techniques as the training progresses.

Classroom Phases are comprised of learning modules covering public safety communications orientation, CPR, basic emergency medical dispatch, Bucks County Computer-Aided Dispatch system and Radio System technology knowledge and skills, basic stress management and wellness overview. This list is not all-inclusive. Various written exams are conducted throughout the training and must be successfully completed for the Dispatcher Trainee to continue in the training.

Also included in the classroom phases are guided emergency call taking and radio dispatch training simulations, where trainees receive hands-on learning to prepare them on how to react to a variety of incoming and dispatched emergency and non-emergency call scenarios. This is all accomplished prior to answering actual emergency or non-emergency calls or dispatching actual emergency and non-emergency calls. Scenarios are developed to provide a close to reality feeling while handling the simulated calls. Scenarios are also designed in an instructional fashion from basic to the more complex calls. Practical exams assess and evaluate the effectiveness of the Dispatcher Trainee's ability to apply the knowledge, skills and abilities provided and developed during the basic classroom training.

On the Job Training (OJT) Phases are comprised of learning involving the handling of actual calls (receiving and dispatching of calls). During these phases Dispatcher Trainees are guided through calls with the close monitoring of their assigned Communications Training Officer (CTO), which may be either a supervisor or experienced dispatcher. During these phases the Dispatcher Trainee will work at the different 9-1-1 Call Taker and Radio Dispatch positions in the communications center to maximize their exposure to emergency and non-emergency calls and radio traffic as well as familiarize themselves with the geography and population of Bucks County.

During these phases of training, Dispatcher Trainees are trained as 9-1-1 Call Takers (Emergency Medical Dispatchers) who can handle incoming calls for EMS, Fire and Police situations as well as Police Radio Dispatchers who are able to communicate with responding police units on an assigned radio zone. EMS and Fire communications training is offered later once more experience is gained.

General Basic Training Outline

• Phase One - Classroom: Call Taker training (includes simulations and all Commonwealth mandated certifications and initial training) (210 hours / 7 weeks).
• Phase One - OJT: On-console Call Taker training (120 hours / 4 weeks).
• Phase Two - Classroom: Police Radio Dispatch training (includes simulations) (60 hours / 2 weeks).
• Phase Two - OJT: On-Console Police Radio Dispatch training. (Includes the combining of Call Taking and Radio Dispatch multitasking in the later stages) (210 hours / 7 weeks)
• Phase Three - Probationary Period: During this phase the, now, Dispatcher I, works independently under supervision and is evaluated monthly on their performance, outside of any daily supervisory audits that may occur. During these sessions appropriate encouragement, correction and remedial training takes place to assist probationary dispatchers in maintaining and/or reaching higher levels of efficiency and confidence. Probation lasts for a 6-month period following successful release from Phases One and Two.

Continuing Dispatch Education Programs
Bucks County Emergency Dispatchers are also exposed to training to assist them in maintaining their knowledge, skills and abilities. Many opportunities are provided to bring up to date issues and techniques to our dispatchers. Reviews of previously covered materials as well as introducing new information are covered in our continuing education programs. There are both mandatory and optional training offerings for dispatch personnel. Our mandatory continuing dispatch education programs exceed the minimum hours required under Commonwealth law and our optional training offerings are attended often by our personnel thereby indicating the commitment of our personnel to do their best for the residents of Bucks County.

Bucks County Department of Emergency Communications strives to meet or exceed Commonwealth of Pennsylvania regulations regarding emergency communications training (4PA Chapter 120b). We strongly believe that investing in training is investing in our dispatchers. The end result benefits the citizens and emergency responders of Bucks County.

Public Education
If you go to any of the various community activities or local EMS or Fire Company or Law Enforcement events you may see one of our representatives there. We provide some basic public education and safety materials to our citizens and families looking for additional resources to teach the public and children about 9-1-1. We have also offered our presentations to schools, churches, citizen, business and municipal groups as well as nursing facilities to assist them in understanding the Bucks County 9-1-1 system.

Interested parties should call our Training Division, if you are interested in a presentation or materials (215) 348-6783.