NATIONAL EMERGENCY NUMBER ASSOCIATION

National Survey

1. For the State of: California

a) Contact Person: Hal Snow, Asst. ExecutiveDirector

b) Name : Commission on Post

c) Address : 1601 Alhambra Blvd. Sacramento,CA 95816

d) Phone: (916) 227-2807

e) Fax: (916) 227-2801

2. Does your state have minimum Telecommunicator Training Standards?YES

3. a. If the answer to question #2 is yes, are the standards;

• a) þMandated, þVoluntary,oLegislated Statute by Law oOther?
• b) Comments: Post required to develop standards.Local government option to adhere to standards.
• c) b. When were the standards established? (date): 1985
• d) c. Have they been revised or modified? YES
• e) d. Are you satisfied with the current status of your state’s minimumtraining standards? YES
• f) Comments if answer is no :

4. If the answer to question #2 is no, is your state considering, orin the process of establishing telecommunicator training standards?

• a) When is implementation anticipated?
• b) Comments:

5. Summarize the work plan and methodology used to accomplish the goalof establishing Minimum Telecommunicator Training Standards for your state:Formal job task analysis.

6. How long did it take to establish state standards? Two(2) years

7. Was there any organized opposition?: NO

a) If yes explain how it was overcome or dealt with:

8. What agency or regulatory board in your state is responsible foradministering state telecommunicator training standards? Commissionon Peace Officer Standards and Training.

9. How are telecommunicator training costs funded?

a) oTelephone Tax or Surcharge þState Budget Appropriation þLocalGovernment þOther

10. (a) How much money is dedicated to training: $239,000,and how often?; For post reimbursementof travel and per diem for students.

• a) þMonthly oQuarterly oSemi-AnnuallyoAnnually
• b) Other: varies at any time, dependingon volume of training.
• c) (b) Does your state also assess other providers such as,
• d) Cellular? NO
• e) PCS? NO
• f) Competitive Local Exchange Carriers? NO
• g) Mobile Satellite Service? NO
• h) If yes, and the legislation is separate from the telecommunicatortraining legislation, please attach a copy of that legislation.

11. Do your state standards include telecommunicator hiring or selectionstandards? YES

a) Comments: (1) 12 months probation period,(2) Background Investigation, (3) Oral Communications Skills, (4) MedicalExam. Also effective 7/1/97 will include cognitive test to determine 1)verbal skills, 2) reasoning skills, 3) memory skills, 4) perceptual abilities.

12. List your State’s minimum telecommunicator training standards inorder to qualify for state certification. (Please attach) Seelegislation

13. Indicate what areas of public-safety communications are includedin your state certification program;

• a) oCall Takers Hours required
• b) þLaw-Enforcement Dispatcher Hours required120 Hours
• c) oFire Dispatcher Hours required
• d) oEmergency Medical Dispatch Hours required
• e) oEmergency Medical Technician Hours required
• f) oOther (NCIC) Hours required

14. Does your state have different telecommunicator training standardsfor call-takers and dispatchers? NO

a) If yes please explain: Post views themas one in the same. But, recognizes that in some environments they mayfunction in different roles.

15. Within what time frame must a new telecommunicator receive certification?Certification is not required, but made optionallyavailable.

16. Are there any “Grandfather Clause” provisions? YES

a) If yes explain: A test for grandfatheringdispatchers who may elect to have a post certificate.

17. Does your state recognize telecommunicator training certificationsfrom other states? NO

18. Do your state telecommunicator training standards exempt any ofthe following:

• a) þPart-time Telecommunicators
• b) þFill-in Law-Enforcement, Firefighters,EMTs, etc.
• c) Comments :

19. Does your legislation contain any of the following provisions:

• a) oRequirement to administer and/or approve examinations
• b) oCertify Telecommunicators on a permanent or temporary basis
• c) þEstablish requirements for accreditationof telecommunicator training courses
• d) oEstablish requirements for accreditation of telecommunicator training
• e) instructors
• f) oEstablish requirements for accreditation of telecommunicator trainingschools
• g) oEstablish procedures and requirements for continuing education
• h) oEstablish procedures and requirements for recertification
• i) If yes, what are recertification requirements:
• j) oEstablish grounds for suspension or revocation of certificates
• k) oEstablish specific language or limits of liability for telecommunicators

20. What method/s are used to provide training;

• a) þLaw Enforcement Academy,
• b) oFire Academy,
• c) oEMS Board
• d) þUniversity or College
• e) oVocational Schools
• f) oThe APCO Institute 40 Hour Course
• g) oAccredited local government public-safety agency
• h) oOther Commercial Vendors
• i) þOther Large law-enforcement agencies.

21. What subjects and how many hours are required as part of the minimumtraining curriculum;

• a) Subject Required Hours
• b) Interpersonal Communications
• c) Role of The Telecommunicator 8.
• d) The Communications Function 6.
• e) Telephone Techniques 12.
• f) 9-1-1 Operating Systems 4.
• g) Hearing Impaired Callers
• h) Handling Hysterical & Suicidal Callers
• i) Basic Radio Broadcasting Techniques 12.
• j) Law-Enforcement Terminology 6.
• k) Fire Service Terminology
• l) EMS Terminology
• m) Emergency Call Processing Guidelines:
• n) Law Enforcement 24.
• o) Fire
• p) EMS
• q) Haz Mat Awareness
• r) Record Keeping Systems
• s) Telecommunicator Liability
• t) Fire/EMS Scene Safety
• u) Officer Survival
• v) Simulations 12.
• w) Please add any other subjects:
• x) Technical Training 4.
• y) Stress Management 6.
• z) Criminal Justice Information Systems4.
• aa) Law 10.
• bb) EMD 4.

22. Do your training standards contain a requirement for the establishmentof Emergency Medical Dispatch Pre-Arrival Instruction Program? YES,but only an overview.

23. Do requirements for state certification contain any other provisionssuch as minimum education, minimum age, minimum typing skills, ride alongprograms, etc., NO

a) If yes, please explain:

24. If a test is required for certification what percentage or scoreconstitutes a passing grade? It is determinedby the instructor or the academy.

25. Does your state offer provisional certification? NO

a) If Yes, how does someone qualify for provisional status?

26. How long after passage of legislation, did agencies have to be incompliance with the telecommunicator training requirements?: Optionalprogram.

27. Does your Minimum State Telecommunicator Training Program providecollege credit? It varies; if done at communitycollege, yes. If at agency’s academy, no.