I have been involved in the 9-1-1 profession for over 24 years now, and some of my favorite co-workers and employees have been Veterans. In a job interview, I rarely had to ask about a candidate’s service because of the professional manner in which they usually presented themselves. Often, you can “just tell.” I volunteer on this site to help make that connection and hopefully read about more success stories like this one:

National Guardsman working at 9-1-1 Center saves baby's life.

http://wnep.com/2015/03/27/lackawanna-county-911-dispatcher-hailed-for-helping-save-baby/

I am often asked why I encourage Veterans to apply for jobs as 9-1-1 Public Safety Telecommunicators/Dispatchers. My answer is that I think it is a good fit for both the employer and the employee as veterans can leverage the strengths and skills they learned in the Service.

There are over 6000 primary and 2000 secondary Public Safety Answering Points (PSAPs), otherwise known as 9-1-1 Centers, in the United States. Many of these 8000 “companies” are run under the management or oversight of a law enforcement agency. One of the terms that is often bantered about in law enforcement circles is that of being a “paramilitary” structure or organization, which are similar to the structure of the military. Right away, it seems like a good fit and natural extension for a career path.

Ask anyone in a 9-1-1 PSAP and they will likely tell you that they feel a sense of family with their Public Safety brothers and sisters. It is the kind of camaraderie that is legend in the Service. How does this kind of bond form? Most likely, it's the result of spending many hours together with comrades in very close quarters.

Employers—what adjectives come to mind when you think of a Veteran? Dependable, loyal, and timely? There’s probably much less of a chance of a Vet oversleeping or calling out from a shift just because it’s Saturday night. They have an instilled sense of duty and responsibility and are often suited to working independently without direct supervision. They have learned good judgment in split-second decision making situations. They understand the importance of policies and procedures and are more likely to follow these procedures. They have been taught to improvise and think creatively and can be counted on during times of emergency.

Veterans, I’m not going to sugarcoat this, 9-1-1 is a high stress job that demands precision and multi-tasking abilities. The nationwide turnover rate can be as high as 19% annually. It takes a special kind of person to do this job, and do it well, but for those who can do it successfully, it is a very rewarding job. Chances are you didn’t sign up and only give the Service a one or two month effort of yourself. You probably made a commitment and stuck it out for the long haul. That’s what 9-1-1 Centers are looking for, long-term career candidates to fill their vacancies.

On a lighter note, Veterans already understand doctrines of FUBAR and SNAFU. Some actions, rules, or political results of City/County governments don’t always make complete sense. But these aren’t likely to scare away a Veteran. They are able to adapt and not let the “small stuff” bother them as easily.

Additionally, the job of a 9-1-1 Public Safety Telecommunicator is not very physically demanding. If you are returning home in a different condition than you planned, this is a job where you can still make a full contribution to the team effort. Many accommodations can be easily made to assist you in being a successful Dispatcher. I have seen many differently-abled Public Safety Telecommunicators who were able to save lives and help people with just their voices and computers, regardless if they were sitting in a wheelchair or had one leg or two. This job allows you the thrill and excitement of a career in Public Safety without the usual physical component of a police officer or fire fighter or emergency medical services position. You will still be part of the team!

Good luck, thank you for your service to our country, and feel free to contact me with any questions.

Tom