How to pass a 911 dispatcher interview?

Here's how you can prepare for 911 and police dispatcher interview questions that ask about your knowledge of the job:
  1. Study the day-to-day duties of a dispatcher.
  2. Familiarize yourself with the communications equipment dispatchers use.
  3. Be aware of the challenges dispatchers face on the job.


What happens at a 911 dispatcher interview?

Employers are looking for candidates with strong communication skills that can calm callers as well as gather the necessary information to relay to emergency responders. Expect several role-play scenarios that will assess your ability to multi-task under pressure and handle frightened, anxious, or angry callers."

What qualities make a good 911 dispatcher?

Police, fire, and ambulance dispatchers should also possess the following specific qualities:
  • Ability to multitask. Responding to an emergency over the phone can be stressful. ...
  • Communication skills. ...
  • Decision-making skills. ...
  • Empathy. ...
  • Listening skills.


Is the 911 dispatcher test hard?

The Dispatcher test is considered a hard exam since it simulates the challenging tasks of actual 911 dispatchers. Also, since most candidates take the exam without any prior dispatch experience, they're often overwhelmed by its unique sections, such as multitasking, call summarization, and more.

Why do you want this job 911 dispatcher?

Some potential reasons for wanting to become a 911 dispatcher include a desire to help the community, a desire to support emergency response or police and skills in a high-stress and fast-paced environment. You can reflect on your answer to this question to develop a more personalized response.


Police Dispatcher Interview Questions with Answer Examples



What questions does a 911 dispatcher ask?

Remember these questions:
  • Where, What, Who, When, Why? When calling 9-1-1 for assistance, these are questions the dispatcher will ask you. ...
  • Do stay on the line. ...
  • Do have the information available. ...
  • Do let the dispatcher ask the questions. ...
  • Do stay on the line as long as needed. ...
  • Don't hesitate to call 911!


What is the most critical information to give a 911 dispatcher?

By clearly stating your location (or a solid address if possible), emergency/what kind of emergency responder you need, and your phone number, the 911 operator can dispatch emergency responders to your location or call you back if the call drops. You might say, “I need an ambulance.

What are 3 emergencies that would require a call to 911?

A Call To 911 Should Always Be A Call For Emergency Help
  • Life threatening situations.
  • Fires.
  • Motor vehicle accidents.
  • Injuries requiring medical attention.
  • Hazardous chemical spills.
  • Smoke detector, carbon monoxide alarm or other alarms sounding.
  • Smoke in a building.
  • If you see someone hurting someone else.


What is the first thing 911 operators say?

When you call 911, a call-taker will answer the phone and say "911" or "911, what's your emergency?". Ideally, you should tell the call-taker what the emergency is, for example: "My house is on fire!" "There's someone breaking into my home!"

How many words per minute do you need to be a 911 operator?

Many 911 operator positions require candidates to achieve approximately 40 - 45 words per minute on a typing test with very high accuracy. You can practice for your typing test for free. To prepare, you will want to practice typing for at least 5 minutes.

What 2 key pieces of information can you give an emergency dispatcher?

An emergency call taker or dispatcher will ask for your phone number and location and will ask other questions to determine whether you need police, fire or medical assistance.


How do you pass a dispatcher test?

How to Prepare for Your Test
  1. Practice Typing Skills. Speed and accuracy in typing is a necessary skill for a 911 dispatcher and is something you can practice at home. ...
  2. Practice Map Reading. ...
  3. Practice Similar Tests. ...
  4. Answer All the Questions. ...
  5. Learn the Decision-Making Rules. ...
  6. Download the CritiCall Candidate Prep Pack.


Why should we hire you?

The first thing you should do when answering “why should we hire you?” is to highlight any skills and professional experience that are relevant to the position you're applying for. To make your answer all the more valid, make sure to always back up everything you say with examples, experiences, and achievements.

What should I wear to a dispatcher interview?

Interview Attire

You can't go wrong by wearing a conservative suit in a dark color with a coordinating blouse or shirt. When you look good, you feel good, which is why smartly dressed job applicants exude confidence. Interviewing for a dispatcher job is no different than interviewing for an accountant position.


What do you say in Tell me about yourself?

Your answer to the "tell me about yourself" question should describe your current situation, your past job experience, the reason you're a good fit for the role, and how you align with the company values. Tell the interviewer about your current position and a recent big accomplishment or positive feedback you received.

What is a good score on dispatcher test?

If an applicant's score is 40 or below, his/her performance is considered “below average” when compared to other applicants who have taken the test. If an applicant's score is 60 or above, his/her performance is considered “above average” when compared to other applicants who have taken the test.

What is a good score on CritiCall test?

90 and higher are interpreted as being excellent. The uncorrected validity coefficient (correlation) between composite CritiCall test performance and overall job performance as rated by the employees' supervisors was rxy = 0.41 (n = 61, p < 0.01).


How is a dispatcher test graded?

If you score 40 or below, your performance is considered “below average” when compared to other candidates who have taken the same test. If you score 60 or above, your performance is considered “above average” when compared to other candidates who have taken the same test.

Where do 911 dispatchers get paid the most?

The highest-paid state for dispatchers is Alaska with an average salary of $46,570 per year. What city pays dispatchers the most? Seattle, WA pays dispatchers the most with an average salary of $44,841 per year.

What is the average age of a 911 dispatcher?

The average age of an employed 911 emergency dispatcher is 39 years old. The most common ethnicity of 911 emergency dispatchers is White (78.0%), followed by Hispanic or Latino (9.3%), Black or African American (8.3%) and Unknown (2.7%).


What kind of dispatcher makes the most money?

High Paying Transportation Dispatcher Jobs
  • Radio Dispatcher. Salary range: $35,000-$77,000 per year. ...
  • Intermodal Dispatcher. Salary range: $37,500-$50,000 per year. ...
  • Truck Dispatcher. Salary range: $34,000-$48,500 per year. ...
  • Operations Dispatcher. ...
  • Freight Dispatcher. ...
  • Service Dispatcher. ...
  • Dispatch Coordinator. ...
  • Dispatcher.


How do you answer working well under pressure?

Share a specific example

Think of a time you worked well under pressure. Perhaps it was when you had a tight deadline or an unexpected change to a project. Share how you managed to thrive under such circumstances and stay focused on your work. Use this example to prove that you can handle stressful situations.

How would you help a caller who was panicking?

7 Ways to Support Someone Having a Panic Attack Over the Phone
  1. Accept the silence. ...
  2. Breathe with them. ...
  3. Reassure them you're there. ...
  4. Tell them how much you love them and encourage them. ...
  5. Say their name when you're talking to them. ...
  6. Try a joke. ...
  7. However the conversation ends, know what you just did meant so much to them.


What questions should I ask at the end of an interview?

20 smart questions to ask at the end of your next job interview
  • What do you personally like most about working for this organisation? ...
  • How would you describe your organisation's culture? ...
  • Can you tell me about the kind of supervision you provide? ...
  • What have past employees done to succeed in this position?


How do you tell 911 you are choking?

What to do when you're alone and choking
  1. Call 911 and leave the phone off the hook. The dispatcher will send someone to help even if they hear no talking on the other end.
  2. Try to cough up the object. If you can cough or make any sound, your airway is not completely blocked. ...
  3. Perform the Self-Heimlich. ...
  4. Seek medical help.