The currently required 40 hour dispatcher training academy is no longer an appropriate amount of time for minimum training.  I strongly urge that this time frame be reconsidered to at least an 80 hour academy.  As a DCJS General Instructor who actively participates in instructing this course twice a year, I can attest that we have to race through information to cover the materials adequately before testing.

The curriculum desperately needs to be updated overall and with the addition of specific instruction given in the areas of call taking and dispatching for Fire and EMS calls for service.  The addition of training related to dealing with the mentally ill and more thorough training on Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) also needs to become mandatory.

A minimum of an 80 hour academy would also give additional time for thorough practical testing.  The DCJS required "On the Job" tasks check off sheet should remain as part of the curriculum to ensure trainees are being taught basic skills at their home jurisdiction on the equipment utilized by their departments.

There are many states that still have no minimum training requirements for telecommunicators and I am proud of the fact that Virginia has a long history of these training requrements but we cannot become complacent in our expectations or teachings.

Lastly, I believe the term "dispatcher" should be changed to "Telecommunicator" as that is the proffesional title given to this career field.

Thank you for your considerations,

Melissa Williams, RPL

Training Coordinator, City of Roanoke E911 Center