A dispatcher is a person who, from a central location, manages the flow of information, people, and equipment. Emergency dispatchers are some of the most well-known dispatchers, as they answer the phone when someone calls for police, fire, or medical assistance. Because dispatch centers must be able to respond 24 hours a day, dispatch work is quite varied. It often necessitates a very flexible schedule and the ability to tolerate odd shift hours.
The management of people and equipment is one of the most important functions of a dispatcher. Dispatchers must decide who and what should be sent where and when. They must keep track of people who are out in the field, organize schedules, and be knowledgeable about how long jobs will take. Dispatchers are also responsible for keeping track of a large amount of data and communicating it as needed.
Requests for emergency assistance are handled by emergency dispatchers. In some cities, all emergency services dispatch is housed in the same building, so that if someone calls for police after a car accident, the dispatcher can quickly dispatch ambulances and fire trucks as well. These dispatchers are in charge of gathering information from callers and relaying it to emergency services so that they are aware of what to expect.
Dispatchers can also work in the transportation industry, coordinating train, bus, boat, and airplane schedules, as well as dispatching taxicabs and private cars based on customer requests. Others may be in charge of services such as answering calls from customers who are having problems with their phones, electricity, or television signals, among other things.
To coordinate dispatch work, most dispatcher facilities use computer programs. These programs assist dispatchers in keeping track of their available teams and equipment, as well as entering data that will be relayed directly to someone in the field. For example, if an ambulance dispatcher notices that the patient appears to be having a heart attack, an alert will be sent to the ambulance crew to let them know that the situation is critical. Crews can also communicate with their computers in the field, providing information such as time estimates to dispatchers so they know when they are available for another job.
Most companies only require a high school diploma and completion of the company’s dispatcher training course to become a dispatcher. People who have a thorough understanding of the cities in which they intend to work, as well as the industries in which they wish to work, will be more appealing as candidates because they will be able to quickly integrate into the dispatching flow. This type of work is ideal for people who enjoy flexible work schedules and are meticulous with details and data management.