When somebody dials 911, minutes can mean the difference between life and death. The chance of recovery from a traumatic injury decreases by the minute without help.
Fires can double in size every 30 seconds without firemen. Other dangerous situations can escalate in the blink of an eye.
This means that the 911 dispatcher must communicate quickly and efficiently. Calls often come in from frantic people.
The operators gather crucial information and relay it to first responders. Only then can appropriate help can arrive as soon as possible.
This requires multifaceted training that puts callers in touch with prepared dispatchers. Read on to learn about 911 dispatcher training scenarios that will optimize the safety response.
Multitasking Workshop
Begin with the basics. All 911 dispatchers must know how to multitask.
They take calls, operate multiple software systems, and communicate with the first responders. These actions occur simultaneously. This can get overwhelming for somebody who isn’t used to multitasking.
Run a workshop that focuses only on multitasking skills. This promotes efficient prioritization, delegation, and fast work. Set up a game that requires individuals to complete several listed tasks in the least amount of time.
They will need to quickly rank group tasks together and work efficiently. Make it fun and challenging to help everybody engage in the activity.
Communication Exercises
Almost 75% of communication is interpreted as a miscommunication. Ineffective communication can lead to actual disaster in this line of work.
Ensure excellent communication skills by making it an important part of training. Leadership communication exercises develop listening and relaying skills.
Group people up. Ask one partner to give detailed instructions on where to find several items around a building.
The listener must relay the information to a seeker. They need to return the items within a specific time limit.
This engaging exercise adds fun. It also teaches serious communication skills. The exercise develops attention to detail and speeds up brain processing each time.
Don’t stop with this game. Run several communication exercises to fully develop this skill.
Stress Management
911 Dispatchers regularly take traumatic calls. Hearing another person’s distress can trigger feelings of unrest.
It can be difficult to calm a scared person down enough to understand the situation. Then the dispatcher must act fast. They the information and send out an appropriate response team.
Talk about an adrenaline dump! Staying cool and collected prevents major mistakes from happening.
Add stress management into the training sessions. Give dispatchers the tools to calm their nervous system in any scenario.
Teaching breathing techniques will work wonders. Make them aware of their breath.
Practice techniques for breathing slowly and controlling. This slows the heart rate and helps the brain stay sharp enough to carry out crucial tasks.
After particularly challenging or traumatic calls, it’s beneficial for dispatchers to have a space to process their experiences. Regular debrief sessions or peer support groups can offer dispatchers a platform to share, listen, and support one another, promoting mental well-being and resilience.
Given the nature of their job, dispatchers might also benefit from periodic counseling sessions. These sessions can offer them coping mechanisms and a confidential space to discuss any emotional or mental challenges they might be facing.
Shadow Dispatch Software Training
When 911 calls flood the center, dispatchers rely on dispatch software for organization and efficiency. Computer-Aided Dispatch Software (CAD) connects many servers to a central dispatch office.
It helps rank calls so traumas and serious situations get somebody on the scene before something like petty theft. This software also identifies the status of each responder on duty. It uses integrated mapping systems to locate them and the incident in need of a response team.
These systems record calls and create logs for easy access as more. While CAD comes with an easy-to-use interface, it covers a multitude of important tasks and requires proper training for use.
Before logging into the system, trainees should spend shifts with knowledgeable dispatchers. The trainers should fully understand CAD software.
Reading a manual does not build skills the way hands-on experience does. Shadowing should begin with teaching the system.
Then the learner should watch their expert in action. They should progress to running the system while the seasoned dispatcher oversees the operations.
Practice Procedures
Dispatch training covers many procedures that the dispatcher will carry out in flow or simultaneously. Neuroscience research reveals that the brain learns best in small increments. Cramming everything in all at once.
Set up training early on that focuses on one aspect at a time. Think of how you might teach a child a sport. They learn the basics separately before actually playing the game.
Break down the fundamentals of each procedure. Then, piece them together so that the dispatchers retain the optimal amount of information.
911 Simulated Calls
Simulations provide important experience, only second to fieldwork. Run training sessions with call simulation and take advantage of the CAD’s training environment.
The 911 simulations should feel real. Base them on actual calls from the past.
The model caller should deliver a sense of urgency and make the simulation feel believable for the dispatcher in training. Each call should focus on a different type of emergency to provide a comprehensive experience.
Allow trainees to work through hours’ worth of calls as they come in on top of each other. Make them forget that this isn’t real to optimize this experience.
Emergency First Aid Training
All 911 dispatchers should undergo emergency training. Though it’s not required, this will help them better do their job.
Every moment a person cannot breathe or receive oxygenated blood to their organs, their chance of recovery dwindles. An emergency operator may need to give life-saving instructions to an inexperienced caller.
Anybody can read from a manual. But understanding the process completely allows the dispatcher to better explain and answer questions.
Training should include first aid, chest compressions, CPR, chest thrusts, and the Heimlich maneuver. The dispatcher needs to know when to use specific procedures and how to perform them for every age group. They must also learn how to explain everything clearly.
During training simulations, dispatchers should explain the appropriate procedure to the caller. Constructive feedback will help them master this crucial skill.
911 Dispatcher Training Scenarios Count
Some companies take employee training lightly, and it shows. That is not an option in this line of work.
Sharpening the skillsets of an emergency operator will literally save lives. Create comprehensive 911 dispatcher training scenarios for all new employees. Refresh even the most seasoned dispatchers as well.
Our software technology enhances the human ability to connect, prioritize, recall, and more. Contact us to optimize your operations!
