Stamford, CT - Public Safety Dispatcher

[x242Steve 1]

Details: http://www.ci.stamford.ct.us/filestorage/2..._Dispatcher.pdf

Last Filing Date: December 14

Starting Salary: $54,313

Feel free to contact me if you have any questions about the job...

[Guest]

Only question is how many positions are they going to be hiring for off this application request?

It seems quite an interesting job - can you elaborate either via post or PM to what type of stuff you encounter on this.

Thanks,

Erik

Details: http://www.ci.stamford.ct.us/filestorage/2..._Dispatcher.pdf

Last Filing Date: December 14

Starting Salary: $54,313

Feel free to contact me if you have any questions about the job...

[x242Steve 1]

First off, I can't comment on when or how many people will be hired.

After you pass the written exam, you will be interviewed when a position is available and then have to pass a VERY thorough background investigation, which is handled by Stamford PD's Internal Affairs Division. The only difference between the Dispatcher background check and the Police Recruit background check is that the Police Recruits are administered a Polygraph, whereas the Dispatchers are not.

As a "Public Safety Dispatcher-1" (PSD-1), you are trained to handle all incoming calls, as well as in dispatching procedures for the Stamford PD, the Six Fire Depts in the City, as well as Stamford EMS. You receive State of CT certification as a Telecommunicator and as an Emergency Medical Dispatcher. You also receive certification as a user of the COLLECT (Connecticut On-Line Law Enforcement Communications Teleprocessing) system, which includes access to CT DMV records, NLETS (National Law Enforcement Telecommunications System), CT State Police records, NCIC (Nat'l Crime Info. Center), etc...

As a PSD-1, you act as a Calltaker, a Police Dispatcher or a Fire Dispatcher, but not all at once (usually you sit at a different position every day of your tour). There is about 6-months worth of in-house training, as well as several classes held around the state of CT.

The Stamford ECC (Emergency Communications Center) handles all 911 and "routine" calls for the entire City of Stamford. The Calltakers, Police Dispatchers and Fire Dispatcher are all located in the same room and work off the same CAD (Computer Aided Dispatch) system, which enables instant information sharing between agencies. The ECC as a whole falls under the direct command of a Police Captain, and each 8-hour shift is supervised by One Police Sergeant and One Lieutenant or Captain from the Stamford Fire & Rescue Department.

There are 6 squads (A,B,C and X, Y, Z), and 3 8-hour shifts per day, which are: 2300-0700, 0700-1500 and 1500-2300. 3 of the squads (A, B and C) work a "two-trick" schedule comprised of 5 days on 0700-1500, then 2 days off, then 5 days on 1500-2300, then 3 days off. Rinse and repeat. The 2300-0700 (Midnight) shift is staffed by Squads X, Y and Z on a 4 days on/2 days off schedule. Midnights are staffed first by volunteers, and then by forced assignments by reverse-seniority on a 3-month rotation (once you are forced to Midnights for 3 months, you are exempt from being forced for the next 12 months, and you can't be forced to Midnights until you are off probation.)

PSD-1's are covered by the UAW Local 2377 Contract with the City of Stamford. The time off and benefits are quite good. There is also an Employees' Credit Union offering excellent rates. There's even a decent cafeteria in the building (only open during 0700-1500 shift).

As far as the types of calls that we handle, the short answer is "everything". From lost cell phones to stolen cars. From bloody noses to diabetic emergencies. From simple assaults to homicides. ...and, of course, our seasonal favorite: "When is the parade?" The answer to which is always "Yesterday."

...Hope that helped!

Edited November 19, 2007 by 242steve

[Guest]

thank you for the post - I am applying for this exam, and glad to get some information on it.

Thanks again...

Erik

First off, I can't comment on when or how many people will be hired.

After you pass the written exam, you will be interviewed when a position is available and then have to pass a VERY thorough background investigation, which is handled by Stamford PD's Internal Affairs Division. The only difference between the Dispatcher background check and the Police Recruit background check is that the Police Recruits are administered a Polygraph, whereas the Dispatchers are not.

As a "Public Safety Dispatcher-1" (PSD-1), you are trained to handle all incoming calls, as well as in dispatching procedures for the Stamford PD, the Six Fire Depts in the City, as well as Stamford EMS. You receive State of CT certification as a Telecommunicator and as an Emergency Medical Dispatcher. You also receive certification as a user of the COLLECT (Connecticut On-Line Law Enforcement Communications Teleprocessing) system, which includes access to CT DMV records, NLETS (National Law Enforcement Telecommunications System), CT State Police records, NCIC (Nat'l Crime Info. Center), etc...

As a PSD-1, you act as a Calltaker, a Police Dispatcher or a Fire Dispatcher, but not all at once (usually you sit at a different position every day of your tour). There is about 6-months worth of in-house training, as well as several classes held around the state of CT.

The Stamford ECC (Emergency Communications Center) handles all 911 and "routine" calls for the entire City of Stamford. The Calltakers, Police Dispatchers and Fire Dispatcher are all located in the same room and work off the same CAD (Computer Aided Dispatch) system, which enables instant information sharing between agencies. The ECC as a whole falls under the direct command of a Police Captain, and each 8-hour shift is supervised by One Police Sergeant and One Lieutenant or Captain from the Stamford Fire & Rescue Department.

There are 6 squads (A,B,C and X, Y, Z), and 3 8-hour shifts per day, which are: 2300-0700, 0700-1500 and 1500-2300. 3 of the squads (A, B and C) work a "two-trick" schedule comprised of 5 days on 0700-1500, then 2 days off, then 5 days on 1500-2300, then 3 days off. Rinse and repeat. The 2300-0700 (Midnight) shift is staffed by Squads X, Y and Z on a 4 days on/2 days off schedule. Midnights are staffed first by volunteers, and then by forced assignments by reverse-seniority on a 3-month rotation (once you are forced to Midnights for 3 months, you are exempt from being forced for the next 12 months, and you can't be forced to Midnights until you are off probation.)

PSD-1's are covered by the UAW Local 2377 Contract with the City of Stamford. The time off and benefits are quite good. There is also an Employees' Credit Union offering excellent rates. There's even a decent cafeteria in the building (only open during 0700-1500 shift).

As far as the types of calls that we handle, the short answer is "everything". From lost cell phones to stolen cars. From bloody noses to diabetic emergencies. From simple assaults to homicides. ...and, of course, our seasonal favorite: "When is the parade?" The answer to which is always "Yesterday."

...Hope that helped!

[x129K 1,393]

Sounds like a great job....any idea how or if they compensate for experience?

[x242Steve 1]

Sounds like a great job....any idea how or if they compensate for experience?

You should double-check with Stamford HR, but to the best of my knowledge everyone starts as "new" as far as training and salary. If you're coming from another agency in CT and already have the Telecommunicator, COLLECT and EMD certifications, then that would probably save you a few trips for training. Obviously when it gets down to the interview process, having more dispatch experience than the next person would be to your advantage.

[x129K 1,393]

Thanks - and the big question - how is the OT?

[x242Steve 1]

Thanks - and the big question - how is the OT?

Check your messages.

[Oswegowind 17]

Is there a civilian chain of command...a way to move up the ladder???? As well, how bout that OT?

Looking at the listing, there is no residency requirement?

Edited November 24, 2007 by Oswegowind

[x242Steve 1]

Is there a civilian chain of command...a way to move up the ladder???? As well, how bout that OT?

Looking at the listing, there is no residency requirement?

There is no civilian chain of command, and no residency requirement.

I'll PM you about the OT, I don't feel right about posting un-official info in the public forum.