What is a Public Safety Telecommunicator?
Public Safety Telecommunicators are the vital link between people experiencing emergencies and the police, fire, and emergency medical services sent to help them. At Skagit 911, our Public Safety Telecommunicators are responsible for answering emergency and non-emergency calls and coordinating real-time responses across all law enforcement, fire, and EMS agencies in Skagit County. In 2023 alone, we processed over 180,000 calls for service, supporting a population that relies on fast, accurate, and compassionate response during critical situations.
Public Safety Telecommunicators are First Responders.
Public Safety Dispatchers manage multiple tasks at once—handling calls from people in distress, tracking the real-time locations of first responders, and coordinating responses across dozens of agencies. It requires excellent judgment, strong multitasking skills, and emotional resilience.
This is not a job you can do on the side or ease into for a relaxing role. It demands focused professionals who can remain calm under pressure, think critically, and adapt quickly to dynamic, high-stakes situations. Telecommunicators at Skagit 911 must also be technologically proficient, as our systems are advanced, constantly evolving, and essential to keeping the public and first responders safe.
Schedule
Our dispatchers work a consistent and predictable rotating schedule of 12-hour shifts:
- 3 days on / 3 days off
- 4 days on / 4 days off, then repeat
Shifts typically begin at 6:00 AM or 6:00 PM, and employees are never expected or asked to work more than 12 hours in a day. While work-life balance is a priority, there is mandatory overtime required on up to two days off per week to ensure 24/7 coverage.
Training
Becoming a Public Safety Telecommunicator takes commitment. Our paid training program is intensive, structured, and typically spans 6 to 8 months, beginning with:
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Technology Systems & Tools: Trainees learn to operate our highly specialized software and equipment.
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Skagit County Geography: A deep understanding of local roads, landmarks, and jurisdictions is essential.
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Policies and Procedures: Trainees study laws, protocols, and internal standards that guide every decision.
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Call Taking: Over the course of 3–4 months, trainees learn to manage both emergency and non-emergency calls and to provide calm, clear direction in high-stress situations.
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Dispatching & Monitoring: The final stage focuses on managing radio traffic, dispatching responders, and tracking units in the field.
Each phase must be passed before moving to the next. During training, employees typically work four 10-hour shifts per week, with no overtime, and receive full pay and benefits.
The Challenge
Being a dispatcher means carrying emotional weight that others don’t see. You’ll speak with people on the worst day of their lives, remain composed while lives are on the line, and make decisions in seconds that can have lasting impacts. The emotional intensity is high, but so is the reward: you save lives without ever leaving the room.
If you're resilient, detail-oriented, tech-savvy, and driven to serve, a career at Skagit 911 might be right for you.