NATIONAL EMERGENCY NUMBER ASSOCIATION

Posted bynena-9-1-1

NATIONAL EMERGENCY NUMBER ASSOCIATION

National Resource Center

PROJECT FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF NATIONAL PUBLIC-SAFETY TELECOMMUNICATORTRAINING STANDARDS

National Survey

1. For the State of: Tennessee

a) Contact Person: John Garner

b) Name : Shelby County 9-1-1

c) Address : 1835 Union Avenue #104, Memphis, TN 38104

d) Phone: (901) 276-4911

e) Fax: (901) 276-2333

2. Does your state have minimum Telecommunicator Training Standards? NO

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

  • a) oMandated, oVoluntary, oLegislated Statute by Law oOther?
  • b) Comments:
  • c) b. When were the standards established? (date):
  • d) c. Have they been revised or modified?
  • e) d. Are you satisfied with the current status of your state’s minimum training standards?
  • f) Comments if answer is no :

4. If the answer to question #2 is no, is your state considering, or in the process ofestablishing telecommunicator training standards? YES

  • a) When is implementation anticipated? July 1, 1997
  • b) Comments:

5. Summarize the work plan and methodology used to accomplish the goal of establishingMinimum Telecommunicator Training Standards for your state:

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

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 for administering statetelecommunicator training standards? Tennessee Public SafetyCommittee

9. How are telecommunicator training costs funded?

a) oTelephone Tax or Surcharge oState Budget Appropriation þLocal Government oOther

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

  • a) oMonthly oQuarterly oSemi-Annually oAnnually
  • b) Other:
  • c) (b) Does your state also assess other providers such as,
  • d) Cellular? NO
  • e) PCS? NO
  • f) Competitive Local Exchange Carriers? YES
  • g) Mobile Satellite Service? NO
  • h) If yes, and the legislation is separate from the telecommunicator training legislation, please attach a copy of that legislation.

11. Do your state standards include telecommunicator hiring or selection standards? NO

a) Comments:

12. List your State’s minimum telecommunicator training standards in order to qualifyfor state certification.

13. Indicate what areas of public-safety communications are included in your statecertification program;

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

14. Does your state have different telecommunicator training standards for call-takersand dispatchers? NO

a) If yes please explain:

15. Within what time frame must a new telecommunicator receive certification? Six (6) months.

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

a) If yes explain:

17. Does your state recognize telecommunicator training certifications from otherstates? NO

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

  • a) oPart-time Telecommunicators
  • b) oFill-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 accreditation of telecommunicator training courses
  • d) oEstablish requirements for accreditation of telecommunicator training
  • e) instructors
  • f) oEstablish requirements for accreditation of telecommunicator training schools
  • 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) þFire Academy,
  • c) þEMS Board
  • d) þUniversity or College
  • e) þVocational Schools
  • f) þThe APCO Institute 40 Hour Course
  • g) þAccredited local government public-safety agency
  • h) þOther Commercial Vendors
  • i) oOther

21. What subjects and how many hours are required as part of the minimum trainingcurriculum;

  • a) Subject Required Hours
  • b) Interpersonal Communications
  • c) Role of The Telecommunicator
  • d) The Communications Function
  • e) Telephone Techniques
  • f) 9-1-1 Operating Systems
  • g) Hearing Impaired Callers
  • h) Handling Hysterical & Suicidal Callers
  • i) Basic Radio Broadcasting Techniques
  • j) Law-Enforcement Terminology
  • k) Fire Service Terminology
  • l) EMS Terminology
  • m) Emergency Call Processing Guidelines:
  • n) Law Enforcement
  • 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
  • w) Please add any other subjects:
  • x)
  • y)

22. Do your training standards contain a requirement for the establishment of EmergencyMedical Dispatch Pre-Arrival Instruction Program? NO

23. Do requirements for state certification contain any other provisions such asminimum education, minimum age, minimum typing skills, ride along programs, etc., See Legislation

a) If yes, please explain:

24. If a test is required for certification what percentage or score constitutes apassing grade?

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 in compliance withthe telecommunicator training requirements?: Three (3) Years.

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

Thank You!