Oregon Labor Market Information System
Occupational Information Center
Occupational Report for Police, Fire, And Ambulance Dispatchers (43-5031) , Oregon Statewide
Occupational Description

Receive complaints from public concerning crimes and police emergencies. Broadcast orders to police patrol units in vicinity of complaint to investigate. Operate radio, telephone, or computer equipment to receive reports of fires and medical emergencies and relay information or orders to proper officials.

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Police, Fire, and Ambulance Dispatchers
Employment Outlook for Police, Fire, And Ambulance Dispatchers
Statewide Employment Analysis 2006 employment is estimated to be at about the statewide average. This occupation is expected to grow at about the statewide average. Total job openings are projected to be at about the statewide average.

Reasonable employment opportunities exist.

Data Sources and Limitations
Current Job Openings for Police, Fire, And Ambulance Dispatchers There are 3 current openings for this occupation. Openings 1 through 3 are listed below.
Job Title Date Posted Location Wage Offered
Communications Dispatcher 1 2/4/10 Clackamas $22.67/hr to $28.56/hr DOE
Telecommunicator, 9-1-1 Service District, #106-10 2/2/10 Bend $2,965/mo to $4,754/mo DOE
Fire Logistics Dispatcher 12/5/09 Hines
State of Oregon License Information for Police, Fire, And Ambulance Dispatchers
License License Authority Web Site
Emergency Medical Dispatcher oregon.gov/DPSST/SC/index.shtml
Telecommunicator (911) oregon.gov/DPSST/SC/index.shtml
Wages for Police, Fire, And Ambulance Dispatchers
Region ---------------- 2009 Wages ----------------
Percentiles (hourly wages) Avg
Hourly
($/hr)
Avg
Annual
10th 25th 50th
(median)
75th 90th
Oregon Statewide $14.67 $17.31 $20.55 $24.55 $30.00 $21.35 $44,388
Clatsop / Columbia / Tillamook 14.14 16.45 19.84 22.97 24.89 19.60 40,768
Multnomah / Washington 17.93 22.04 27.07 31.81 37.06 26.88 55,909
Marion / Polk / Yamhill 14.15 16.28 18.97 22.24 24.62 19.31 40,157
Benton / Lincoln / Linn 15.43 17.81 20.94 23.32 24.75 20.25 42,132
Lane 17.03 18.72 20.93 23.40 25.00 20.99 43,651
Douglas 14.35 16.32 18.61 21.17 24.06 18.73 38,957
Jackson / Josephine 16.96 18.30 20.46 23.12 25.07 20.53 42,701
Crook / Deschutes / Jefferson 11.30 14.57 18.94 22.69 25.81 18.64 38,777
Morrow / Umatilla 16.20 16.92 18.09 19.28 20.03 18.11 37,676
Data Sources and Limitations
Regional Employment Projections for Police, Fire, And Ambulance Dispatchers
Region Employment Change % Change Projected Annual Openings
2006 2016 Growth Replacement Total
Oregon Statewide 978 1,105 127 13.0% 13 22 35
Multnomah / Washington 284 312 28 9.9% 3 6 9
Marion / Polk / Yamhill 117 128 11 9.4% 1 3 4
Jackson / Josephine 84 94 10 11.9% 1 2 3
Lane 75 83 8 10.7% 1 2 3
Benton / Lincoln / Linn 61 67 6 9.8% 1 1 2
Clackamas 50 55 5 10.0% 1 1 2
Crook / Deschutes / Jefferson 48 61 13 27.1% 1 1 3
Gilliam / Hood River / Sherman / Wheeler / Wasco 38 43 5 13.2% 1 1 1
Coos / Curry 37 40 3 8.1% 0 1 1
Morrow / Umatilla 35 39 4 11.4% 0 1 1
Clatsop / Columbia / Tillamook 31 36 5 16.1% 1 1 1
Baker / Union / Wallowa 26 29 3 11.5% 0 1 1
Douglas 22 26 4 18.2% 0 1 1
Grant / Harney / Malheur 14 15 1 7.1% 0 0 0
Klamath / Lake 11 11 0 0.0% 0 0 0

Replacement openings are caused by existing workers permanently leaving their occupation. Many additional job openings occur due to job changes within occupations.
Data Sources and Limitations
Industries of Employment for Police, Fire, And Ambulance Dispatchers
Industry
Click links to view infoUSA employers
Ownership 2006
Employment
Total, All Industries All 978
Total, All Industries Private 82
Health Care and Social Assistance Private 77
Ambulatory Health Care Services Private 57
Other Ambulatory Health Care Services Private 57
Hospitals Private 20
Total, All Industries State 52
Public Administration State 52
Justice, Public Order, and Safety Activities State 46
Total, All Industries Local 834
Information Local 23
Educational Services Local 32
Public Administration Local 779
Executive, Legislative, and Other General Government Support Local 715
Justice, Public Order, and Safety Activities Local 64
Total, All Industries Tribal 10
Public Administration Tribal 10
Educational Requirements for Police, Fire, And Ambulance Dispatchers Workers must have moderate-term on-the-job training to gain the necessary skills for this occupation. However, those with related work experience have a competitive advantage in this labor market.
Skills for Police, Fire, And Ambulance Dispatchers
  • Adjust To Variables On Transportation Routes
  • Answer And Route Calls On Multi-Line Phone System
  • Apply Active Listening Techniques
  • Apply Emergency Management Principles
  • Apply Emergency Medical Procedures
  • Apply Emergency Non-Medical Procedures
  • Apply Intervention Techniques
  • Apply Local And Regional Geographical Knowledge To Transportation
  • Communicate Details Concisely And Consistently
  • Communicate Using Telephone
  • Coordinate Emergency Response Teams
  • Explain Traffic And Transportation Situations Concisely
  • Obtain Information From Clients, Customers, Patients Or Others
  • Operate Two-Way Radio
  • Organize And Work With Detailed Records
  • Prepare Reports In Timely Manner
  • Prioritize Tasks
  • Process Records And Maintain Forms And Files
  • Reach Conclusions Quickly In Law Enforcement Situations
  • Use Basic Mathematics
  • Use Computers To Enter, Access And Retrieve Data
  • Use Geographic Coordinates To Dispatch Emergency Vehicles
  • Use Law Enforcement Methods And Procedures
  • Work As A Team Member
Schools and Training Providers for Police, Fire, And Ambulance Dispatchers The training providers listed below offer one or more of the following programs:

Portland Community College
12000 SW 49th Avenue
Portland, OR 97219
Phone: (503) 244-6111
Programs of Training:
Career Pathway Roadmaps for Police, Fire, And Ambulance Dispatchers These Oregon community colleges have defined career pathway roadmaps to facilitate entry into this occupation:

Portland Community College
Related Occupations The scores listed below indicates how closely the skills for Police, Fire, And Ambulance Dispatchers matches the occupation in the list. A score of 100% means the occupations have identical skill sets. A maximum of 10 occupations are displayed below.
Occupation Skill Overlap
Dispatchers, Except Police, Fire, And Ambulance 37%
Transit And Railroad Police 30%
Correctional Officers 26%
Parking Enforcement Workers 24%
Police And Sheriff'S Patrol Officers 21%
Production, Planning, And Expediting Clerks 21%
Fish And Game Wardens 20%
New Accounts Clerks 20%