NATIONALEMERGENCY NUMBER ASSOCIATION
National Resource Center
PROJECT FORTHE ESTABLISHMENT OF NATIONAL PUBLIC-SAFETY TELECOMMUNICATOR TRAININGSTANDARDS
National Survey
1.For the State of: West Virginia
Contact Person: Dannie Walker
Name : West Virginia Public Service Commission
Address : P.O. Box 812 Charleston, WV 25323
Phone: (304) 340-0454
Fax: (304) 340-0326
2.Does your state have minimum Telecommunicator Training Standards?
YES
3.a. If the answer to question #2 is yes, are the standards;
oMandated, oVoluntary, þLegislated Statute by Law oOther?
Comments:
b. When were the standards established? (date): February, 1994
c. Have they been revised or modified? NO
d. Are you satisfied with the current status of your state’s minimum training standards? NO
Comments if answer is no : Would like to add more requirements.
4.If the answer to question #2 is no, is your state considering, or in the process of establishing telecommunicator training standards?
When is implementation anticipated?
Comments:
5.Summarize the work plan and methodology used to accomplish the goal of establishing Minimum Telecommunicator Training Standards for your state: The enhanced 9-1-1 Council proposed legislation after a council committee looked into the matter and submitted their findings to the council’s membership.
6.How long did it take to establish state standards? One (1) year.
7.Was there any organized opposition?: YES
If yes explain how it was overcome or dealt with: The enhanced 9-1-1 Council had individual members discuss the bill with legislators from the members counties.
8.What agency or regulatory board in your state is responsible for administering state telecommunicator training standards? None
9.How are telecommunicator training costs funded?
þTelephone Tax or Surcharge oState Budget Appropriation oLocal Government oOther
10.(a) How much money is dedicated to training: $ and how often?;
oMonthly oQuarterly oSemi-Annually oAnnually
Other: Varies by county.
(b) Does your state also assess other providers such as, Legislation has been proposed to assess cellular telephones.
Cellular? NO
PCS? NO
Competitive Local Exchange Carriers? NO
Mobile Satellite Service? NO
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
Comments:
12.List your State’s minimum telecommunicator training standards in order to qualify for state certification.
13.Indicate what areas of public-safety communications are included in your state certification program;
þCall Takers Hours required 40. Hours
þLaw-Enforcement Dispatcher Hours required 40. Hours
þFire Dispatcher Hours required 40. Hours
þEmergency Medical Dispatch Hours required 40. Hours
oEmergency Medical Technician Hours required
oOther (NCIC) Hours required
14.Does your state have different telecommunicator training standards for call-takers and dispatchers? NO
If yes please explain:
15.Within what time frame must a new telecommunicator receive certification? One (1) year.
16.Are there any “Grandfather Clause” provisions? YES
If yes explain: See legislation
17. Does your state recognize telecommunicator training certifications from other states? YES
18.Do your state telecommunicator training standards exempt any of the following:
oPart-time Telecommunicators
oFill-in Law-Enforcement, Firefighters, EMTs, etc.
Comments : NO Exemptions
19.Does your legislation contain any of the following provisions:
oRequirement to administer and/or approve examinations
oCertify Telecommunicators on a permanent or temporary basis
oEstablish requirements for accreditation of telecommunicator training courses
oEstablish requirements for accreditation of telecommunicator training
instructors
oEstablish requirements for accreditation of telecommunicator training schools
oEstablish procedures and requirements for continuing education
oEstablish procedures and requirements for recertification
If yes, what are recertification requirements:
oEstablish grounds for suspension or revocation of certificates
oEstablish specific language or limits of liability for telecommunicators
20.What method/s are used to provide training;
oLaw Enforcement Academy,
oFire Academy,
oEMS Board
oUniversity or College
oVocational Schools
þThe APCO Institute 40 Hour Course
oAccredited local government public-safety agency
oOther Commercial Vendors
oOther
21.What subjects and how many hours are required as part of the minimum training curriculum;
Subject Required Hours
Interpersonal Communications 4.
Role of The Telecommunicator 1.
The Communications Function 2.
Telephone Techniques 3.
9-1-1 Operating Systems 3.
Hearing Impaired Callers
Handling Hysterical & Suicidal Callers 0.
Basic Radio Broadcasting Techniques 10.5
Law-Enforcement Terminology 0.
Fire Service Terminology 0.
EMS Terminology 0.
Emergency Call Processing Guidelines:
Law Enforcement 4.
Fire 4.
EMS 4.
Haz Mat Awareness
Record Keeping Systems 1.5
Telecommunicator Liability 2.
Fire/EMS Scene Safety
Officer Survival
Simulations
Please add any other subjects:
22.Do your training standards contain a requirement for the establishment of Emergency Medical Dispatch Pre-Arrival Instruction Program? NO
23.Do requirements for state certification contain any other provisions such as minimum education, minimum age, minimum typing skills, ride along programs, etc., NO
If yes, please explain:
24.If a test is required for certification what percentage or score constitutes a passing grade? 70. %
25.Does your state offer provisional certification? NO
If Yes, how does someone qualify for provisional status?
26.How long after passage of legislation, did agencies have to be in compliance with the telecommunicator training requirements?: See legislation.
27.Does your Minimum State Telecommunicator Training Program provide college credit? NO