NATIONAL EMERGENCY NUMBER ASSOCIATION

National Survey

1. For the State of: Mississippi

a) Contact Person: David B. Wilson, Standards& Training Board

b) Name : Hattiesburg Communications

c) Address : P.O. Box 1672 Hattiesburg,MS 39403-1672

d) Phone: (601) 582-1511

e) Fax: (601) 545-4948

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

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

• a) oMandated, oVoluntary, þLegislatedStatute by Law oOther?
• b) Comments:
• c) b. When were the standards established? (date): April1993
• d) c. Have they been revised or modified? NO
• e) d. Are you satisfied with the current status of your state’s minimumtraining standards? NO
• f) Comments if answer is no : Currentlyusing standard APCO course.

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:The APCO 40-Hour Basic Telecommunicator course wasestablished as temporary standard, along with a Ride-Along Program andCPR requirements. There are two (2) committees working with task surveyresults to establish permanent training standards.

6. How long did it take to establish state standards? Inprogress.

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? Paidstaff directed by the Board of Emergency Telecommunicator Standards &Training.

9. How are telecommunicator training costs funded?

a) þTelephone Tax or SurchargeoState Budget Appropriation oLocal Government oOther

10. (a) How much money is dedicated to training: $ andhow often?;

• a) oMonthly oQuarterly oSemi-Annually oAnnually
• b) Other: State pays the cost of attendingapproved courses.
• c) (b) Does your state also assess other providers such as,
• d) Cellular? YES
• 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: See legislation

12. List your State’s minimum telecommunicator training standards inorder to qualify for state certification.

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

• a) þCall Takers Hours required 40.Hours
• b) þLaw-Enforcement Dispatcher Hours required40. Hours
• c) þFire Dispatcher Hours required40. Hours
• d) þEmergency Medical Dispatch Hours required34. Hours
• e) oEmergency Medical Technician Hours required
• f) oOther (NCIC) Hours required
• g)

14. Does your state have different telecommunicator training standardsfor call-takers and dispatchers? NO
a) If yes please explain:

15. Within what time frame must a new telecommunicator receive certification?Within one (1) year from date of service

16. Are there any “Grandfather Clause” provisions? NO

a) If yes explain: Telecommunicators employedwhen bill was passed were given three (3) years to comply.

17. Does your state recognize telecommunicator training certificationsfrom other states? YES, After review of studyrequirements.

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

a) oPart-time Telecommunicators

b) oFill-in Law-Enforcement, Firefighters, EMTs, etc.

c) Comments : No, Applies to anyone working8 hours per month.

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

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

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

• a) oLaw Enforcement Academy,
• b) oFire Academy,
• c) oEMS Board
• d) oUniversity or College
• e) oVocational Schools
• f) þThe APCO Institute 40 Hour Course
• g) oAccredited local government public-safety agency
• h) þOther Commercial Vendors
• i) oOther

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

• a) Subject Required Hours
• b) Interpersonal Communications 4.
• c) Role of The Telecommunicator 1.
• d) The Communications Function 2.
• e) Telephone Techniques 3.
• f) 9-1-1 Operating Systems 3.
• g) Hearing Impaired Callers
• h) Handling Hysterical & Suicidal Callers0.
• i) Basic Radio Broadcasting Techniques 10.5
• j) Law-Enforcement Terminology 0.
• k) Fire Service Terminology 0.
• l) EMS Terminology 0.
• m) Emergency Call Processing Guidelines:
• n) Law Enforcement 4.
• o) Fire 4.
• p) EMS 4.
• q) Haz Mat Awareness
• r) Record Keeping Systems 1.5
• s) Telecommunicator Liability 2.
• t) Fire/EMS Scene Safety
• u) Officer Survival
• v) Simulations
• w) Please add any other subjects:
• x)
• y)

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

23. Do requirements for state certification contain any other provisionssuch as minimum education, minimum age, minimum typing skills, ride alongprograms, etc., YES

a) If yes, please explain:

24. If a test is required for certification what percentage or scoreconstitutes a passing grade? 70.%

25. Does your state offer provisional certification?N0

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?: Three(3) years.

27. Does your Minimum State Telecommunicator Training Program providecollege credit? NO