911 emergency communications services in Hamilton County (which includes the City of Cincinnati) are provided by the Hamilton County Department of Communications – 911 Communications. In 2012 alone, 911 dispatchers in Hamilton County answered 688,817 calls.
The Hamilton County Department of Communications’ Public Safety Communications Division includes a consolidated 911 center, which provides emergency communications to 105 police, fire and EMS agencies in more than 42 political jurisdictions.
If you want to learn how to become a 911 dispatcher in Hamilton County, you must complete these three steps:
 | Prepare for Employment in Hamilton County |
 | Apply for Employment in Hamilton County and Achieve Certifications |
 | Earn Mandatory Certification |
Step 1. Prepare for Employment in Hamilton County
There are a host of college programs that provide suitable coursework for a career in emergency communications, including:
- Emergency Management
- Homeland Security
- Public Safety
- Criminal Justice
- Communications
A degree in public safety, for example, may include a number of relevant topics:
- Foundations of Public Safety
- Administrative Law
- Hazard Mitigation
- Public Relations
- Issues in Disaster Response
- Business Ethics
- Critical Infrastructure Protection
- Professional Writing
Step 2. Apply for Employment in Hamilton County
To apply for a 911 dispatcher job in Hamilton County, you must find a job posting for a 911 dispatcher on Hamilton County’s Human Resources job openings page.
Once you locate an open position, you can apply and submit your resume online.
Before pursuing employment as a 911 dispatcher in Hamilton County, you must ensure you meet the minimum requirements for employment, which include being at least 18 years old and possessing a high school diploma or GED.
You must possess good communication skills and be able to successfully multi-task, as well. Previous experience in a public safety dispatching environment is preferred, but not mandatory.
Although possessing a college degree is not a requirement for attaining a 911 dispatcher job in Hamilton County, many individuals still choose to pursue an associate or bachelor’s degree as to obtain a well-rounded foundation of knowledge in the field of emergency communications.
Step 3. Earn Mandatory Certification
All 911 dispatchers in Hamilton County must complete a course of training, which includes achieving certification in the following:
- EMD certification
- APCO Basic Telecommunicator Certification
- RCIC, NCIC, and LEADS certification (as required)
The APCO Basic Telecommunicator Certification is a 40-hour program that culminates in a written examination. Topics covered in this course include:
- Roles and responsibilities
- Communication and call processing
- Radio broadcast procedures
- Stress management
- Legal aspects of emergency telecommunication
- Call classification