Police/Fire/EMS Dispatcher

Public Safety Dispatch Network; Glen Allen (VA); On-site; USD 42,000 - 64,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical coverage

Dental coverage

Vision coverage

Retirement benefits

Paid leave

Job summary

Public Safety Dispatch Network in Nelson, VA seeks Police/Fire/EMS Dispatchers to coordinate emergency responses across police, fire, and medical services. The role involves processing calls, verifying incident details, and routing units per approved plans in a fast-paced public safety environment.

Candidates typically hold a high school diploma; some agencies require credentials or prior dispatch experience.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or recognized equivalent commonly required.
• Some agencies provide cross-training; others require experience in one or more dispatch disciplines.
• Certifications, providers, and completion deadlines must be confirmed in the official vacancy.

Responsibilities

• Process requests involving police, fire, rescue, and medical assistance.
• Verify locations, incident details, and immediate hazards.
• Apply discipline-specific procedures to prioritize and route calls.
• Dispatch appropriate units according to approved response plans.
• Coordinate incidents requiring more than one emergency service.
• Monitor radio traffic, unit availability, and requests for assistance.
• Provide approved caller instructions when trained and authorized.
• Maintain incident records and support interagency communications.

Skills

Multitasking

Public safety awareness

Radio dispatch

Call processing

Education

High school diploma

Tools

Dispatch software

Job description

Police/Fire/EMS Dispatcher Opportunities in Nelson

Police/Fire/EMS Dispatchers help coordinate emergency responses across law enforcement, fire services, and emergency medical services. In a combined communications environment, they may process calls and manage radio assignments for several response disciplines.

Position Details

Duty Location: {airport_name}, Nelson, VA

Employer: The hiring consolidated dispatch or public safety agency identified in the official vacancy

Pay: {salary_min}–{salary_max} per year

Schedule: {work_schedule}

Appointment Type: {appointment_type}

Who May Apply: {who_may_apply}

Application Deadline: {closing_date}

Combined dispatch centers commonly operate every day of the year. Employees may rotate between assignments and work nights, weekends, holidays, and required overtime.

What You May Do

• Process requests involving police, fire, rescue, and medical assistance
• Verify locations, incident details, and immediate hazards
• Apply discipline-specific procedures to prioritize and route calls
• Dispatch appropriate units according to approved response plans
• Coordinate incidents requiring more than one emergency service
• Monitor radio traffic, unit availability, and requests for assistance
• Provide approved caller instructions when trained and authorized
• Maintain incident records and support interagency communications

Experience and Education Requirements

A high school diploma or recognized equivalent is commonly required. Some agencies provide cross-training, while others require experience in one or more dispatch disciplines before appointment. Applicants may need public safety telecommunicator, emergency medical dispatch, fire dispatch, or police dispatch credentials depending on the assignment. Required certifications, accepted providers, and completion deadlines must be confirmed in the official vacancy.

General Conditions of Employment

• Meet agency-specific age and employment eligibility requirements
• Complete the required background investigation and hiring assessments
• Pass additional pre-employment screening when specified
• Successfully complete training for each assigned dispatch discipline
• Maintain required certifications and authorized information-system access
• Follow confidentiality requirements and emergency staffing procedures

Work Environment and Physical Requirements

This position typically involves prolonged workstation duties, headset use, keyboard entry, and monitoring multiple communication channels. Employees may manage simultaneous incidents and hear distressing information. Review the vacancy for essential functions and available accommodations.

Benefits

Eligible employees may receive medical, dental, and vision coverage; retirement benefits; paid leave; employee-assistance resources; and continuing education. Shift differentials, certification incentives, and other provisions vary by employer and position.

Prepare for the Police/Fire/EMS Dispatcher Hiring Process

Our independent preparation program helps candidates understand combined-dispatch recruitment and practice relevant assessment and interview skills. It does not replace required certifications, employer training, or the official selection process.

Combined-dispatch hiring-process guidance

• Listening, prioritization, and multitasking practice
• Resume and application support
• Scenario-based interview preparation
• Job-search tools and candidate support
• Start preparing for Police/Fire/EMS Dispatcher opportunities in Nelson.