Public Safety Standards and Skills

Skills:

1. Describe the historical development of public safety services (law enforcement, fire services, and dispatch operations), emphasizing societal factors that shaped their evolution and how they have adapted to modern challenges in community safety and public health.
2. Identify and explain the roles of key national and state regulatory bodies, e.g., OSHA, DOJ, FBI, MEMA, MassDEP, in shaping public safety protocols, crisis management, and environmental protection standards across law enforcement, fire services, and dispatch operations.
3. Analyze the impact of tragic incidents, e.g., natural disasters, mass casualties, public health emergencies, on the evolution of public safety measures and the increased collaboration among law enforcement, fire services, and dispatch operations.
4. Evaluate the impact of emerging technologies, e.g., communication systems, drones, GIS, data analytics, body cameras, on public safety operations, crisis response, and decision-making across law enforcement, fire services, and dispatch operations.

Skills:

1. Examine the events that led to the U.S. Constitution, drawing connections between historical events and the creation of foundational government principles.
2. Describe the development of the three branches of government (Legislative, Executive, Judicial) as outlined in the U.S. Constitution, and their distinct yet interconnected roles.
3. Explain the system of checks and balances in the U.S. government and illustrate how this system prevents excessive power in any branch, with a focus on how it impacts public safety agencies and their operations.
4. Review the creation and significance of the Bill of Rights, explaining how these amendments protect individual freedoms and limit government powers, and describe their relevance to public safety practices.
5. Analyze the balance between individual rights and government power as outlined in the U.S. Constitution and how these principles shape public safety practices across law enforcement, fire services, and emergency dispatch.
6. Explain core U.S. Constitutional amendments relevant to public safety: First Amendment, Freedom of speech, religion, and press (limitations in public safety, e.g., public protests, law enforcement’s role); Fourth Amendment, Protection against unreasonable searches and seizures (critical for law enforcement and how they conduct searches and seizures); Fifth Amendment, Right to due process, protection against self-incrimination (important in law enforcement settings, such as arrests and questioning); Sixth Amendment, Right to a fair and speedy trial, and legal counsel (implications for arrest, investigation, and due process in law enforcement); and the Eighth Amendment, Protection against cruel and unusual punishment (applies to detainees in law enforcement custody).
7. Examine the key Post-Civil War Amendments, the Thirteenth Amendment (Abolition of slavery, relevant for civil rights and protections under the law), the Fourteenth Amendment (Equal protection under the law, important for non-discriminatory law enforcement practices), and the Fifteenth Amendment (Right to vote, historical impact on policing in relation to voter rights), and understand how these amendments influence public safety and law enforcement practices.
8. Explain how the Massachusetts Constitution works in conjunction with the U.S. Constitution, highlighting areas of overlap and unique state protections.
9. Examine how legal challenges, such as those related to excessive force, search, and seizure, have influenced policing protocols, including the impact of Miranda v. Arizona on interrogation procedures and Terry v. Ohio on stop-and-frisk policies.
10. Explain how historical events, Supreme Court rulings, and ongoing legal challenges have shaped public safety practices, focusing on the balance between individual rights and government power.

Skills:

1. Understand the common objectives and mission of the Public Safety profession, including the overarching goals of solving problems, saving lives, and protecting property in emergency situations.
2. Describe the basic structure of public safety agencies (fire services, law enforcement, dispatch operations, and public information officers, etc.) and how these agencies interact and work together during emergency responses.
3. Explain the management structures of law and public safety agencies, including an understanding of the standard ranks used within these agencies, such as officers, supervisors, and chiefs, and identify the chain of command and the responsibilities at each level.
4. Explain the Incident Command System (ICS), outlining its functions and how it structures emergency response efforts during disasters and large-scale emergencies.
5. Assess the role of fire services, dispatch, and Public Information Officers (PIOs) in managing large-scale crises, e.g., natural disasters, mass casualty incidents, and explain how these services operate under the ICS framework, with a focus on coordination, communication, and professionalism for effective crisis response and recovery.
6. Explain the protocols used when multiple agencies share jurisdiction over an incident and describe how these agencies coordinate their efforts to effectively manage situations where their responsibilities intersect or overlap, ensuring a smooth and efficient response.
7. Demonstrate knowledge of the National Incident Management System (NIMS) and how it integrates with the Incident Command System (ICS) during a disaster or large-scale emergency.
8. Explain the potential effects of extreme emergencies and disasters on critical community infrastructures, such as transportation, electrical service, telephone communication, fuel, food, water, shelter, and emergency services, and evaluate how the disruption of these systems impacts public safety efforts and the recovery process.
9. Examine the ethical and legal standards required in the public safety profession, such as confidentiality, liability, duty to act, and the responsibilities of public safety workers in various situations, e.g., law enforcement procedures, firefighters search and rescue, focusing on how these standards guide decision-making and actions in the field.
10. Identify and describe various career paths in public safety, including roles in firefighting, 911 dispatch, and related fields, and outline the necessary skills, certifications, and educational requirements for each career.
11. Explain the expectation for physical fitness in public safety roles, e.g., agility tests for firefighters, strength, and endurance for law enforcement.
12. Explain the importance of mental health and wellness for public safety professionals, including recognizing the effects of stress, trauma, and burnout.
13. Explain emotional cycles such as adrenaline dumps and describe various outlets for stress that can support emotional resilience and mental well-being in high-stress work environments.
14. Examine how public safety professionals interact with diverse populations during emergencies, applying principles of cultural competency.
15. Address the role of language barriers, cultural beliefs, and community relationships in delivering effective emergency services.

Skills:

1. Explain the key communication protocols essential to public safety work, including interpersonal communication, technology, terminology, call classification, radio communication techniques, and the role of PIOs in managing public messaging during crises.
2. Identify and explain the unique communication challenges during emergencies, including barriers to understanding and time constraints.
3. Apply key communication protocols essential to public safety work, including radio communication techniques, terminology, call classification, and explain how Public Information Officers (PIOs) manage public messaging during crises.
4. Describe the core responsibilities of Public Information Officers (PIOs) during emergencies, including gathering, verifying, and disseminating accurate information to the public through various channels.
5. Examine the collaborative role of PIOs within the broader public safety team (law enforcement, fire services, emergency management), particularly in coordinating and supporting information flow during emergency responses.
6. Evaluate the effectiveness of various communication channels (radio, phone, social media, press releases) and demonstrate how they are used to deliver critical information to the public.
7. Develop foundational skills in emergency communication systems, including radio protocols, call handling, and reporting, ensure clear and effective communication between first responders, dispatchers, and other agencies, fostering efficient coordination during emergencies.
8. Develop strategies for combating misinformation and overcoming communication barriers (such as noise, language differences, and rumors) during emergencies.
9. Communicate clear and actionable information, e.g., evacuation routes, sheltering, and manage public expectations during crises.
10. Demonstrate the use of visual media tools (maps, evacuation routes, alert systems) in crisis communication and their role in coordinating emergency response and decision-making.
11. Design visual elements of public alerts, ensuring that messages are clear, consistent, and easily interpretable across multiple platforms.
12. Examine how incident maps and GIS data are used to support decision-making and resource allocation within the Incident Command System (ICS) during large-scale emergencies.
13. Explain how local government agencies use digital signage, emergency text alerts, and public alert systems that combine visual and verbal elements to ensure the public receives actionable information in a crisis.

Skills:

1. Differentiate between various types of emergencies, e.g., medical, fire, natural disasters, hazardous materials, and mass casualty incidents, and understand how each requires a tailored response from first responders.
2. Demonstrate understanding of how ICS roles come into action during real-life emergency responses, emphasizing the flow of communication, decision-making, and role-specific responsibilities within a crisis.
3. Describe the role and responsibilities of first responders (firefighters, police officers, dispatch personnel) during initial emergency response, and understand how their actions impact the overall outcome of the emergency.
4. Understand basic life-saving techniques, such as CPR, bleeding control, and airway management, and their critical role in emergency response to stabilize individuals until advanced medical care is available.
5. Utilize up-to-date standards from nationally recognized agencies, such as the American Heart Association or the American Red Cross, for CPR and First Aid training.
6. Demonstrate proficiency in applying First Aid techniques to treat common injuries and medical emergencies, e.g., bleeding, fractures, burns, choking, in both routine and high-stress public safety situations.
7. Achieve certification in Basic Life Support (BLS), including CPR, AED (automated external defibrillator) use, and airway management, to stabilize individuals (infants, children, and adults) until professional medical help arrives.
8. Demonstrate the ability to systematically assess emergency situations, identify life-threatening conditions, e.g., airway obstruction, severe bleeding, shock, determine the severity of injuries, and prioritize medical care based on urgency, taking immediate action to address these critical issues during high-stress emergencies.
9. Apply techniques for opening an airway, controlling bleeding, treating hypothermia, and managing shock to stabilize individuals until advanced medical care is available.
10. Apply the principles of scene safety and personal protective equipment (PPE) for first responders, emphasizing self-care and safety to prevent further harm during emergencies.
11. Examine ethical and legal responsibilities associated with providing First Aid and BLS, such as the duty to act, patient consent, and the limitations of providing emergency care without formal medical training.
12. Describe specialized fields such as Hazardous Materials (HAZMAT) response, search and rescue (SAR), and technical rescue, and explain how these fields integrate with other services during a large-scale emergency.
13. Explain the importance of emergency preparedness, including creating and implementing emergency plans, e.g., evacuation plans, disaster response kits, for communities, schools, businesses, and individuals.

Skills:

1. Examine the historical evolution of law enforcement, analyzing key developments, influences, and changes in policing over time from colonial America to modern law enforcement practices.
2. Explain the impact of societal changes, such as urbanization and civil rights movements, on policing strategies and practices.
3. Identify and describe basic self-defense techniques and appropriate techniques for restraining and controlling suspects in various law enforcement situations, linking them to the Use-of-Force Continuum and relevant case law, e.g., Tennessee v. Garner, Graham v. Connor.
4. Summarize how key U.S. Supreme Court cases, e.g., Tennessee v. Garner and Graham v. Connor, have shaped use-of-force policies and practices.
5. Explain the Use-of-Force Continuum as a model that guides officers in determining appropriate force based on the level of resistance or threat.
6. Demonstrate the report writing process, identifying and differentiating between various types of police reports, such as incident and arrest reports, and produce an accurate incident report.
7. Describe the proper use of emergency lights, sirens, and other equipment in traffic enforcement and emergency vehicle operations.
8. Explain the techniques for using radar and LIDAR for speed enforcement.
9. Examine requirements of defensive driving training and identify the techniques for the proper handling of high-speed pursuits, including when to disengage from a vehicle pursuit, considering public safety and legal constraints.
10. Explain how to conduct a safe and effective traffic stop by utilizing proper tactics, such as positioning the patrol vehicle for cover, applying the Plain View Doctrine, maintaining a safe distance, conducting inventory searches, and following correct procedures for communication, approach, and resolution.
11. Identify safety protocols for entering and clearing buildings, including how to approach entry points, assess potential threats inside, check all exits, and coordinate actions with other officers in a tactical operation.
12. Describe proper search techniques in environments such as vehicles and buildings, ensuring adherence to legal standards for search and seizure under the Fourth Amendment.
13. Explain scanning the environment systematically, ensuring that nothing is overlooked during routine patrols or interactions.
14. Demonstrate environmental awareness and adaptability during law enforcement operations, considering factors such as time of day. e.g., night shifts, weather conditions, terrain, and crowd density.
15. Demonstrate the ability to maintain situational awareness by continuously assessing the environment, e.g., people, surroundings, and behaviors, for potential threats and risks during law enforcement operations.
16. Explain the concept of “tactical thinking,” emphasizing the need to anticipate and assess potential risks before taking action.
17. Identify and explain best practices for approaching potentially dangerous situations by using de-escalation techniques, maintaining a safe distance, and keeping a tactical advantage, including evaluating potential escape routes and cover.
18. Explain the processes involved in making a physical arrest and applying defensive tactics, including the appropriate levels of force, suspect control techniques, weapon recovery methods, arrest procedures, control tactics, and the use of edged and less-lethal weapons.
19. Explain recognizing signs of escalating violence and employing de-escalation techniques, including verbal de-escalation, and tactical positioning during violent confrontations to reduce the likelihood of injury and improve control of the situation.
20. Apply threat assessment models, such as the OODA loop (Observe, Orient, Decide, Act), to enhance decision-making under pressure.
21. Explain clear communication with backup officers, supervisors, and dispatch to assess the level of threat, coordinate a safe approach, and ensure a coordinated response during emergencies.
22. Explain how to identify and secure potential hazards, e.g., weapons, explosives, inside vehicles or buildings, minimizing risk to officers and civilians.
23. Identify and describe digital tools, such as surveillance systems, social media monitoring, and intelligence gathering, to stay informed about ongoing situations and potential threats in real-time.
24. Explain the use of less-lethal equipment and tactics, e.g., impact weapons, chemical control agents, and electronically controlled weapons.
25. Understand crowd management and control strategies in various scenarios, such as protests and large public events, incorporating the use of technology like surveillance systems and real-time communication tools to enhance coordination and decision-making.
26. Explain how control and direction are maintained during multi-agency responses to incidents.

Skills:

1. Identify key sources of information crucial for an investigation, e.g., eyewitnesses, informants, arrest records, reports, and explain how to use them to build a case.
2. Examine the role of law enforcement databases such as CJIS, NCIC, AFIS, CODIS, and others in retrieving and interpreting criminal information, identifying suspects, and gathering evidence.
3. Utilize digital tools and forensic technologies, e.g., surveillance systems, digital evidence from social media, cell phone data to support investigations while adhering to legal and ethical standards.
4. Demonstrate how to gather, interpret, and analyze digital evidence, ensuring its integrity for use in legal proceedings.
5. Describe procedures for securing, managing, and documenting crime scenes, including evidence collection, photography, sketching, and chain of custody protocols.
6. Apply Locard’s Principle in crime scene investigations to explain the exchange of evidence.
7. Identify and describe types of biological evidence, e.g., blood, saliva, hair, and the procedures for collecting and preserving it in accordance with legal standards, e.g., DNA swabs, fingerprints.
8. Explain how to prevent contamination during evidence collection, including the use of sterile containers and proper collection techniques.
9. Apply the legal elements of a crime (actus reus and mens rea) to assess whether an offense has occurred.
10. Recognize culpable mental states, e.g., intentionally, knowingly, recklessly, and their relevance in criminal investigations.
11. Understand and explain the factors that help determine if a crime has occurred, including evidence and legal elements required for prosecution.
12. Demonstrate effective interviewing and interrogation techniques, ensuring accuracy, ethical practices, and the protection of rights, e.g., using open-ended questions, maintaining professionalism.
13. Apply effective questioning techniques in interviews, such as distinguishing between open-ended and leading questions.
14. Explain the proper use of silence, deception, and maintaining ethical interrogation practices.
15. Explain the importance of location and physical setup for conducting interviews.
16. Demonstrate proper documentation and recording of interviews, ensuring compliance with legal standards, e.g., Miranda rights.
17. Examine the proper procedures for investigating traffic accidents, including safety protocols, documentation, and resolution.
18. Explain the safety measures and traffic control required at accident scenes.
19. Describe procedures for assessing impairment, issuing citations, and conducting field sobriety tests, e.g., BAC levels.
20. Understand the criteria for arrest, vehicle impoundment, and release in the context of traffic violations.
21. Identify unique challenges and procedures in investigating domestic violence (DV) crimes and understand the legal implications and officer safety concerns.
22. Examine how to interview victims, witnesses, and suspects in DV cases, ensuring thoroughness, sensitivity, and the proper separation of parties.
23. Explain the importance of respecting cultural identities and diversity in law enforcement practices, promoting fairness and impartiality in investigations.

Skills:

1. Describe the purpose of the Incident Command System (ICS) and its relationship to law enforcement and mutual aid, explaining how ICS ensures effective coordination and communication between various responding agencies during an incident.
2. Describe the roles and responsibilities of specialized law enforcement units, e.g., SWAT, K-9, motorcycle patrol, bomb squads, analyzing their specific functions, training requirements, and how they support regular law enforcement operations in different types of incidents.
3. Compare the roles and functions of federal law enforcement agencies, such as the FBI, DEA, TSA, Border Patrol, and U.S. Marshals, to state and local law enforcement agencies, explaining their jurisdiction, responsibilities, and collaborative efforts in law enforcement, e.g., FBI’s role in national investigations vs. local police involvement in community crime prevention.
4. Explain the function and duties of federal agencies involved in national security and counterterrorism, including the Department of Homeland Security and its role post-9/11.
5. Describe how these federal agencies coordinate with state and local agencies to ensure national security and respond to emerging threats, with an emphasis on communication and interagency collaboration, e.g., Boston Marathon bombing response.
6. Examine the benefits and challenges of joint task forces (JTFs), analyzing their role in enhancing law enforcement operations and addressing specific types of crimes through cooperative efforts between local, state, federal, and sometimes private agencies.
7. Analyze how JTFs enhance resource sharing, combine expertise from multiple agencies, and provide specialized training and tools that may not be available to individual agencies such as shared intelligence resources, advanced technology e.g., surveillance, and drones.

Skills:

1. Explain the core components of the Law Enforcement Code of Ethics, e.g., integrity, respect for the law, impartiality, professionalism.
2. Identify and describe strategies for addressing ethical dilemmas and respecting diverse cultural identities while ensuring fair and unbiased policing.
3. Demonstrate the ability to collaborate with colleagues to uphold ethical standards within the agency.
4. Apply an ethical decision-making model, such as the OATH model (Objective, Alternatives, Tactics, and How), to assess and resolve ethical dilemmas in law enforcement scenarios.
5. Explain cultural awareness and its significance in law enforcement, emphasizing its role in understanding and respecting diverse cultural norms, values, and practices.
6. Explain how adherence to the Code of Ethics supports professional conduct, promotes trust within the community, and contributes to public safety and justice.
7. Identify situations where officers must hold themselves and others accountable for unethical behavior.
8. Demonstrate an understanding of how emerging technologies, e.g., body cameras, dash cameras, drones, and associated legal regulations, e.g., privacy laws, public recording laws, influence law enforcement practices.
9. Identify reliable sources of information for updates on laws, regulations, and legal precedents affecting law enforcement practices, e.g., government websites, professional law enforcement associations, legal journals.
10. Describe the importance of diversity training in law enforcement by explaining its role in fostering an inclusive and respectful environment within the department and the community.
11. Explain the history and evolution of community policing and apply its core concepts to given scenarios, emphasizing the importance of building positive relationships with the community and proactive problem-solving.
12. Maintain open and transparent communication channels with the community, providing updates on crime trends, law enforcement activities, and safety initiatives.
13. Engage with marginalized communities by understanding their unique challenges in law enforcement interactions, demonstrating empathy, active listening, and culturally competent communication to build trust and foster positive relationships.
14. Collect feedback from community members and assess the effectiveness of community policing strategies using both qualitative and quantitative methods, e.g., surveys, interviews, crime data.

Skills:

1. Explain the basic structure of a fire department, e.g., chain of command, divisions, units, and compare the differences between career and volunteer fire departments in terms of rank structure, responsibilities, and resources.
2. Identify and describe the roles of major fire service organizations, including the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF), and local/state fire agencies, with a focus on their primary functions and responsibilities.
3. Explain how situational awareness and adherence to Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) enhance decision-making, mitigate risks, and improve safety for firefighters, civilians, and dispatch personnel during emergency responses.
4. Analyze the daily tasks performed by firefighters, e.g., equipment checks, training drills, station maintenance, and evaluate how each contributes to overall team effectiveness, readiness, and safety in both emergency and non-emergency situations.
5. Evaluate the impact of effective teamwork and communication on firefighter safety and mission success during complex emergencies.
6. Explain the role of firefighters during suppression, rescue, and recovery operations, and evaluate how dispatchers support these efforts by providing critical real-time information and resource coordination.
7. Describe the firefighter’s role in fire prevention and public education, including community outreach and education programs, and evaluate the impact of these efforts on reducing fire incidents, improving community safety awareness, and influencing public behaviors related to fire prevention.
8. Evaluate the firefighter’s Code of Ethics, and interpret how principles like integrity, respect, and accountability apply to dispatchers’ communication and decision-making during emergency situations.
9. Explain the importance of cultural competence in fire service operations, describing how dispatchers integrate cultural awareness and ethical communication practices to ensure equitable and effective service to diverse communities.
10. Apply hazard recognition and risk management principles to assess and mitigate potential threats, making informed, real-time decisions during high-risk firefighting operations to ensure firefighter safety and operational effectiveness.

Skills:

1. Identify and describe key firefighting tools and equipment, e.g., axes, hoses, fire apparatus, and their role in effective firefighting operations.
2. Explain the role of dispatchers in coordinating the deployment of firefighting resources, ensuring the appropriate tools and apparatus are assigned based on the nature of the emergency.
3. Understand the importance of firefighter PPE, e.g., turnout gear, SCBA, helmets, and how dispatchers ensure these are communicated as necessary for safety during response.
4. Evaluate the factors that affect firefighting operations, such as water supply availability, hydrant access, and apparatus readiness, and how dispatchers must manage and convey these elements to first responders.
5. Explain the process of communicating with fireground personnel to ensure safe and efficient use of tools and equipment during fire suppression and rescue operations.
6. Assess the role of the dispatcher in tracking and coordinating the maintenance and readiness of firefighting tools and equipment, ensuring that all resources are operational when dispatched to an emergency.

Skills:

1. Understand and apply the Fire Triangle and Fire Tetrahedron to explain how heat, fuel, oxygen, and the chemical chain reaction sustain combustion and influence firefighting tactics.
2. Identify the stages of fire development (incipient, growth, fully developed, and decay) and explain how each stage affects suppression efforts, ventilation, and safety considerations during firefighting operations.
3. Classify different types of fires (Class A, B, C, D, K) and explain which fire suppression agents, e.g., water, foam, dry chemical, are most effective for each type, aiding dispatchers in understanding how to coordinate appropriate resources for various fire scenarios.
4. Describe the role of incident commanders in managing fire suppression operations, focusing on resource allocation, decision-making, and firefighter safety.
5. Explain the role of ventilation in fire suppression and how ventilation techniques, such as vertical and horizontal ventilation, can influence fire behavior, smoke control, and the safety of responders.
6. Describe fire suppression strategies including direct and indirect attack methods and explain when each is appropriate for different fire types, e.g., structural fires, wildfires, vehicle fires.
7. Demonstrate the use of fire suppression agents (water, foam, etc.), understanding how to select the right agent based on the fire class and scenario, ensuring safe and effective resource deployment.
8. Explain fireground communication protocols, such as radio communication methods, including “Mayday” and “Emergency traffic,” and how to ensure clear communication between incident commanders and teams on the fireground.
9. Understand firefighter accountability procedures and the use of personnel accountability systems (PAS), ensuring the safety of all personnel on the fireground by tracking their locations and status.
10. Assess how fire behavior is influenced by weather conditions, such as wind, temperature, and humidity, and apply this understanding to determine fire spread, adjust suppression tactics, and coordinate resources during an incident.
11. Identify common fire hazards and causes, such as electrical, chemical, and human error, and understand how fire prevention strategies are implemented by fire departments to mitigate these risks and reduce fire incidents.
12. Evaluate the coordination of firefighting tactics, such as direct attack, indirect attack, ventilation, and search and rescue, and how these strategies integrate to ensure effective suppression and safety of responders and civilians.

Skills:

1. Identify and explain the basic principles of search and rescue operations, including the need for a structured approach, rapid assessment, and communication to ensure safety in emergency environments like fires, hazardous materials incidents, or natural disasters.
2. Understand the role of dispatchers in SAR operations, including their responsibility for coordinating resources, providing critical information to search teams, and communicating with incident commanders to ensure the effective deployment of personnel and equipment.
3. Explain the importance of teamwork, communication, and situational awareness in SAR operations, and how dispatchers facilitate coordination between teams, agencies, and resources to improve operational efficiency and safety.
4. Identify and describe the types of environments where SAR operations occur, such as collapsed structures, confined spaces, or wildland areas, and apply this knowledge to assess the associated risks, challenges, and strategies for effective rescue coordination.
5. Evaluate the role of technology in SAR operations, including the use of GPS, mapping systems, drones, and other tools to assist with search efforts, and how dispatchers use this technology to track and direct SAR teams.
6. Apply the basics of water rescue operations and describe the role of dispatchers in coordinating swift-water rescue teams, ensuring safety measures are in place, and providing real-time updates on the situation.
7. Describe the importance of mental and physical resilience in SAR operations, both for responders and victims, and identify how dispatchers can support the emotional and psychological well-being of personnel and coordinate resources like counseling or medical support during prolonged.
8. Explain the role of K9 units in SAR, including how canine units are deployed for search missions, and how dispatchers assist with coordination and communication between handlers and rescue teams.
9. Assess how environmental factors, such as smoke, weather conditions, and structural integrity, influence search strategies, and apply this understanding to help dispatchers relay important updates about changing conditions to teams on the ground.
10. Demonstrate clear and concise communication in SAR operations, including proper radio procedures and key phrases like ‘Mayday’ and ‘Emergency traffic,’ and ensure effective communication between incident command and SAR teams.
11. Manage resource allocation during SAR operations, ensuring the right teams and equipment are dispatched quickly and effectively, while maintaining situational awareness and prioritizing the most critical needs.

Skills:

1. Articulate and apply the concept of ethics in the 911 Dispatch profession, demonstrating the ability to discern right from wrong and commit to actions that align with doing what is right, good, and proper in emergency response situations.
2. Identify the core values and professional conduct expected of telecommunicators, such as integrity and accountability and explain how these principles foster public trust and support effective, ethical decision-making in all aspects of the role.
3. Identify and apply jurisdictional boundaries and geography to ensure the appropriate allocation of resources and coordination with local, state, or federal agencies in emergency situations.
4. Identify and explain the specific duties and responsibilities of a 911 dispatcher, including call handling, dispatching, and coordination with other emergency services to ensure timely and effective responses.
5. Explain the telecommunicator’s role within the agency’s organizational structure and chain of command, and apply this understanding to effectively report, escalate issues, and collaborate with other professionals in a coordinated public safety response.
6. Apply the role of a telecommunicator in Incident Command Systems (ICS), including coordinating and communicating effectively in multi-agency incidents.
7. Explain the telecommunicator’s role in state and local emergency operations plans (EOPs), ensuring that all actions align with local, regional, and federal response efforts.
8. Explain the National Incident Management System (NIMS), including key elements such as Tactical Interoperable Communication Plans (TICP) and required training, and describe how NIMS ensures interoperability and effective communication during large-scale incidents.
9. Recognize and apply principles of inclusivity and sensitivity in public safety interactions to ensure equitable service for diverse populations.
10. Interpret and apply the agency’s written procedures and protocols when responding to various emergency and non-emergency situations, ensuring they align with agency standards and legal requirements.
11. Apply confidentiality laws and best practices governing the use of sensitive data, including handling information about calls for service, criminal records, and victim information, while ensuring privacy and legal compliance.
12. Identify mandatory reporting obligations, such as abuse, neglect, and suicides, and understand the potential liabilities involved in mishandling sensitive information.
13. Explain the key concepts of legal liability, negligence, and vicarious liability, and describe how these concepts impact the management and communication of information during emergency situations, including the consequences for individuals and the agency.
14. Investigate common litigation issues in the dispatch field, identifying frequent legal challenges such as negligence, breach of duty, improper conduct, and strategies for mitigating risks.
15. Identify and access agency resources, such as databases, communication tools, and personnel, ensuring the correct allocation and use of available resources during emergency and non-emergency situations, while adhering to legal protocols for resource management.
16. Identify and examine relevant laws and codes that telecommunicators must follow in their day-to-day duties, including key standards for operating 911 systems and how to maintain compliance in an ever-evolving legal landscape, emphasizing liability and ethical decision-making.

Skills:

1. Demonstrate the ability to speak and write clearly, concisely, and effectively, using plain language techniques, proper enunciation, and active listening skills to ensure that information is accurately understood by callers, responders, and team members.
2. Use agency-specific terminology, codes, signals, and the phonetic alphabet accurately during communication, ensuring clarity and uniformity in all emergency exchanges.
3. Apply communication protocols used in emergency services (radio communication, call handling, call classification) and evaluate how these impact the timeliness, clarity, and effectiveness of responses across agencies.
4. Demonstrate professionalism, answering incoming emergency calls promptly and with a demeanor that fosters trust, calm, and effective customer service.
5. Demonstrate the ability to obtain, verify, and analyze incident information to include, location, reporting party contact information, nature, and severity of the incident while applying effective communication skills to control the call.
6. Evaluate situations to determine if a response is warranted and select the appropriate action, in accordance with agency policies and procedures, considering the severity and urgency of the situation.
7. Identify threats to public and responder safety based on caller information, including environmental hazards, and take protective actions, e.g., requesting additional support, advising on evacuation, or sheltering in place.
8. Demonstrate the ability to accurately document incident information including, but not limited to incident urgency details, establish call priority, appropriately label call types and other relevant data, using agency-specific software or forms.
9. Maintain calm and professional demeanor during emotionally charged calls, providing emotional support to distressed callers, such as missing persons or those with communication impairments, and ensuring their safety while waiting for responders.
10. Demonstrate the ability to manage challenging calls and callers including, but not limited to, missing, abducted and sexually exploited children, child callers, communications impaired callers, and callers with limited English language proficiency.
11. Offer agency-approved guidance to callers, ensuring they can take effective actions until emergency responders arrive, e.g., CPR instructions, evacuation protocols.
12. Maintain communication with callers in life-threatening situations, offering reassurance, critical instructions, and emotional support until field personnel arrive.
13. Implement call prioritization strategies, managing multiple emergency calls simultaneously to ensure timely responses to critical incidents.
14. Ensure efficient resource allocation by evaluating the need for, and deploying, available resources, such as dispatching responders and utilizing agency databases and communication tools.
15. Ensure proper call transfers and referrals, escalating calls to the appropriate agency, when necessary, while maintaining accurate documentation throughout the call.
16. Utilize location data, e.g., GPS, address, to ensure accurate and timely response initiation, ensuring that location remains a priority even in disconnected or incomplete calls.
17. Coordinate cross-agency communication in emergency response, acting as the central link between fire, EMS, and law enforcement to ensure the timely and coordinated dispatch of resources.
18. Apply Incident Command System (ICS) and National Incident Management System (NIMS) protocols to ensure seamless communication and coordination across agencies during large-scale incidents.
19. Participate in post-incident activities, including conducting debriefs, reviewing documentation, and managing follow-up communications according to agency protocols.
20. Demonstrate effective stress management techniques during high-pressure situations, ensuring clarity of thought, decision-making, and communication.
21. Apply strategies for maintaining emotional resilience in high-stress environments and design a personal stress reduction plan tailored to the demands of emergency dispatching.
22. Recognize the emotional toll of dispatch work and apply strategies to maintain professionalism and empathy while managing distressing or traumatic situations.

Skills:

1. Demonstrate the ability to utilize incident data systems, including creating, accessing, and updating incident data in accordance with agency directives and established procedures.
2. Demonstrate how incident data systems and mapping tools enhance situational awareness, help assess the severity of the situation, and guide decision-making for resource allocation and response coordination.
3. Demonstrate proficiency in using communication tools and technologies, including radios, telephones, and electronic relay systems, to meet operational needs in both normal and backup modes, including intra/interoperability, local and state resources, mapping tools, wireless communication systems, and emergency alert systems.
4. Operate agency radio systems, including dispatch and coordination protocols, ensuring proper radio etiquette and adherence to communication standards for clear, accurate, and timely communication during emergency and non-emergency situations.
5. Demonstrate the ability to operate agency telephone systems, including TTY/TDD (Text Telephone for the Deaf), ensuring timely, effective, and compliant call handling.
6. Demonstrate use of Computer-Aided Dispatch (CAD) software, ensuring efficient data entry, retrieval, and updating to support incident management and decision-making.
7. Operate agency records management systems, ensuring that all data entries are accurate, complete, and comply with agency long-term record keeping policies, legal standards, and privacy regulations.
8. Conduct routine equipment checks, troubleshooting, and preventive maintenance practices to ensure the operational readiness of communication tools and systems.
9. Demonstrate procedures for handling system downtimes or failures, activating backup systems, switching to manual protocols, and ensuring continuous communication and incident management.
10. Explain the protocols for activating emergency alert systems, including weather warnings, Amber Alerts, and other emergency notifications, in accordance with agency parameters and legal requirements.
11. Demonstrate how technology (radio systems, CAD, emergency alert systems) enables collaboration and communication with local, state, and federal agencies, ensuring interoperability and efficient multi-agency responses.
12. Explain how technologies, such as Next-Generation 911 (NG911), telematics, and broadband communication systems, enhance response capabilities, improve service delivery, and integrate multimedia communication (text, images, video) alongside traditional voice-based communication systems.
13. Understand and apply cybersecurity protocols when using communication and data management tools to ensure the protection of sensitive information and prevent unauthorized access.

Skills:

1. Explain the administrative structure of law enforcement agencies, including the roles of the chief executive officer, assistant chiefs, chief deputies, and undersheriffs, and align their communication and coordination efforts with these roles to ensure efficient operations, legal compliance, and timely support to law enforcement personnel.
2. Explain how dispatchers interact with support service units within a law enforcement agency, such as vehicle maintenance, fingerprinting, data entry, prisoner booking, and criminal records, by relaying relevant information and ensuring smooth communication, particularly during ongoing investigations or when additional support services are needed.
3. Identify the role and responsibilities of patrol officers and describe how dispatchers support them in crime prevention, routine patrol, and responding to crimes in progress by relaying real-time information, prioritizing incidents, and coordinating resources to ensure timely and effective law enforcement responses.
4. Describe the relationship between the Uniform Patrol Division and community policing efforts, including the role of school-based resource officers, youth programming, and crime prevention initiatives, and explain how dispatchers support these efforts through effective communication and resource allocation.
5. Explain the dispatcher’s role in promoting public safety through community-focused initiatives, ensuring officers are well-informed, coordinating outreach programs, and addressing community concerns while facilitating efficient and responsive dispatching.
6. Demonstrate the ability to gather and verify essential information from callers, including location, caller details, and the nature and severity of the emergency, ensuring the safety of law enforcement officers, callers, victims, and the public, while accurately relaying all critical details to responding units.
7. Analyze incoming calls for service and determine the appropriate response action by considering the nature and priority of the incident and available resources, in accordance with agency directives.
8. Demonstrate the ability to create, update, and maintain accurate records, including incident logs and call narratives, using Computer-Aided Dispatch (CAD) systems or other documentation methods.
9. Evaluate the priority of incidents and assign appropriate resources based on agency protocols, ensuring a timely and effective response.
10. Track and document radio activity, unit status, and incidents per agency directives, ensuring accurate communication logs are maintained.
11. Identify and describe regulations of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) that directly apply to public safety radio.
12. Demonstrate relaying critical incident details (including initial and updated information) to field units, supervisors, and other resources, ensuring effective communication for ongoing response coordination.
13. Monitor call acknowledgments from responders and ensure that all units are informed, en route, and following agency procedures.
14. Demonstrate the ability to analyze and disseminate information to additional responders and resources including, but not limited to Hazmat teams, the Forest Service, Fire and EMS Units, etc.
15. Transfer pertinent shift activities and information to relief dispatchers during shift changes, ensuring continuity of service and seamless handovers.
16. Demonstrate the ability to analyze and evaluate all available information to identify the potential for escalation of the incident and perform status checks to determine scene and responder safety.
17. Evaluate incident updates, broadcast BOLO (Be on the Look-Out) messages, and attempt to locate pertinent information for responders and supervisors as appropriate.
18. Identify and describe regulations and requirements for the use of any data systems accessible through local, state, regional, federal, tribal, or international networks, e.g., RMS, DOL/DMV, any criminal justice information systems, NCIC, Interpol, CPIC.
19. Outline the dispatcher’s role within ICS, NIMS, and state and local emergency operations plans, including their role in ensuring effective communication and coordination during emergency incidents.
20. Participate in post-incident activities such as debriefs, reviews, and follow-up communications, contributing to continuous improvement and organizational learning.

Skills:

1. Demonstrate an understanding of the fire service’s basic operational needs, including personnel, equipment, training, communication, and response time, and explain how dispatchers contribute to meeting these needs by facilitating effective communication and resource coordination during emergency responses.
2. Describe the types of fires (Class A, B, C, D, K) and analyze how dispatchers must prioritize calls based on fire type, coordinate appropriate resources, and relay critical information to responding units to ensure an effective and timely response.
3. Demonstrate the first fundamental responsibility of a fire communications officer by gathering and verifying essential information from callers, e.g., location, caller details, nature, and severity of the emergency, dispatching the appropriate resources, and maintaining communication with responding units to ensure safety and effective fire scene management.
4. Demonstrate the ability to accurately create and maintain CAD records, incident logs, and call narratives, ensuring up-to-date and comprehensive documentation of radio activity, incident status, and resource deployment in accordance with agency documentation requirements.
5. Evaluate and assign necessary resources (units and equipment) based on the nature and priority of the fire incident, ensuring compliance with agency directives, and maintaining operational efficiency throughout the response.
6. Monitor, track, and document radio communication to ensure continuous contact with field units, including relaying updates or critical information to additional resources, e.g., Hazmat, EMS, and maintaining situational awareness during evolving incidents.
7. Continuously assess available information to identify potential hazards or escalation risks, and initiate status checks to ensure the safety of responders and the public, adjusting resource deployment, as necessary.
8. Dispatch updates and safety information to responders, adjusting resources rapidly in response to incident escalation or new risks, ensuring swift and coordinated decision-making.
9. Coordinate with other agencies, such as EMS, Law Enforcement, and Hazmat, ensuring efficient deployment of resources in compliance with mutual aid agreements, maintaining communication and safety across all responding units.
10. Follow all applicable regulations, including FCC standards and agency protocols, for managing radio communication and utilizing data systems to ensure compliance with legal and operational standards.
11. Demonstrate proper application of written directives for processing alarm signals, tracking alarm activity, resolving alarm conflicts, maintaining alarm accounts, and generating alarm reports.
12. Effectively hand off incident information to relief dispatchers at shift changes, ensuring continuity in service and communication, and that all critical updates are passed on to incoming personnel.
13. Apply the principles of ICS and NIMS to ensure structured response coordination, integrating fire service operations within broader emergency management frameworks, to support multi-agency coordination during large-scale incidents.
14. Engage in post-incident activities, such as debriefs and incident reviews, to identify lessons learned and improve future operations, ensuring ongoing performance improvement and organizational readiness.

Skills:

1. Understand the role of EMTs in providing Basic Life Support (BLS) and how Emergency Medical Dispatchers (EMDs) coordinate the timely response of EMTs, including licensed ambulances staffed by certified EMTs, to ensure that national standards of care are met during medical emergencies.
2. Explain the additional role of EMT-Ds (EMTs trained in the use of Automated External Defibrillators – AEDs) and describe how dispatchers must be aware of the need for this specialized training during cardiac emergencies, ensuring that EMT-Ds are deployed when necessary to provide enhanced care.
3. Demonstrate the ability to accurately create and maintain CAD records, incident logs, and call narratives, ensuring up-to-date and comprehensive documentation of radio activity, incident status, and resource deployment in accordance with agency documentation requirements.
4. Demonstrate the process of gathering and verifying essential medical information, such as location, caller details, the nature of the emergency, and the patient’s condition, to ensure accurate deployment of EMTs and other necessary medical resources.
5. Assess the urgency and severity of medical emergencies based on the gathered information and determine the appropriate response actions following agency protocols for prioritization.
6. Recognize the critical importance of adhering to national standards of care (as set by NHTSA and the Department of Transportation), ensuring that dispatch operations align with these standards and contribute to optimal outcomes in medical emergencies.
7. Identify, evaluate, and assign the necessary EMS resources, e.g., ambulances, paramedics, medical equipment, based on the nature and severity of the incident, while coordinating with other emergency service entities, e.g., Fire, Law Enforcement, to ensure a unified and timely response.
8. Manage, track, and document radio communication with responders, ensuring continuous updates on incident status and the rapid relay of critical information to ensure timely adjustments to resources and strategies.
9. Relay pertinent incident information to additional responders and agencies, e.g., Hazmat, Fire Services, Law Enforcement, as necessary, ensuring effective multi-agency coordination during medical emergencies.
10. Monitor and document hospital diversion status and emergency facility availability, coordinating with hospitals to ensure optimal patient care and resource utilization.
11. Continuously assess available information to detect potential escalation risks and initiate status checks, ensuring responder and public safety throughout the incident.
12. Effectively communicate incident details and relevant shift activities to relief dispatchers during shift changes, ensuring continuity of operations and service.
13. Adhere to all applicable regulations, including FCC guidelines for public safety radio communications, as well as agency-specific protocols related to dispatch operations.
14. Apply the principles of ICS and NIMS to ensure the structured coordination of EMS operations within the broader emergency response framework, including inter-agency cooperation and resource allocation.
15. Actively engage in post-incident activities, including conducting debriefs, reviewing documentation, and identifying opportunities for improvement in response protocols and resource deployment.