The work of dispatchers is to schedule and transmit equipments, workers, and service vehicles to carry passengers or materials. Dispatchers are accountable for keeping records, schedules, and logs of the calls they receive. They also keep record of transportation vehicles that they control and monitor.
Job Description
The work of dispatchers varies depending upon the nature of work and dimension of the establishment. Their work is to prepare a detailed report on almost all activities taking place during their shifts. The arrival of computer technology has minimized dispatcher's work. They use computer dispatch systems to execute their tasks.
Dispatchers are assigned a specific province where they are responsible for communication within the area. These dispatchers have to work in a team, especially, in large communication companies or centers. Therefore, dispatchers should possess good communication skills and ability to work in a team. They should be self-motivated and job oriented.
Fire, police, and ambulance dispatchers are known as 911 operators or public safety dispatchers. Their work involves monitoring the location of emergency services personnel from all the jurisdiction's emergency services departments. These dispatchers dispatch the proper number and type of units in respect to calls for assistance. Call takers or dispatchers are the first people whom people contact when emergency assistance is needed. A dispatcher who is certified for medical services may prescribe medical instructions to those who need emergency assistance until the medical personnel arrives.
Ambulance, fire, and police dispatchers work in different settings such as fire stations, police stations, hospitals, and centralized communication centers. The majority of dispatchers work in communication centers. All the emergency calls move to the communication center where a dispatcher deals with their calls and monitors to other before sending them to the proper service.
When receiving calls, a dispatcher questions every caller to determine the location, type, and seriousness of the emergency. The obtained information is posted decreasing frequency by hand or electronically by computer. Consequently, the dispatcher quickly decides the precedence of the incident, location of most suitable and closest units available, and the number of unites required.
When dispatchers are in close contact with other service providers, for instance police dispatcher, they supervise fire department's response when there is major fire. Dispatchers who are in contact with medial emergency, they are in close touch with the caller and dispatched units. These dispatchers are allowed to prescribe first-aid instructions before the emergency service arrives. The responsibility of dispatchers who are working with medical emergency is to provide updates on the patient's condition to the ambulance authority. These dispatchers work as a link between the emergency medical personnel of the ambulance and medical staff in a hospital.
The work of other dispatchers is to coordinate service calls, deliveries, and associated activities for various firms. Truck dispatchers working for long distance and local trucking firms; facilitate the movement of trucks and shipment between cities. Truck dispatchers manage the delivery and pickup activities of drivers, merge cargo orders into truckloads for the specific destinations, obtain customer's requests for the delivery and pickup of cargo, assign trucks and drivers, make pickup, route, and delivery schedules.
The work of bus dispatchers is to ensure that long distance and local buses follow the prescribed schedule. Their work responsibility is to deal with all problems, which may interrupt service and they arrange repairs to restore schedules and services. Train dispatchers make sure the efficient and timely movement of trains as per the schedules and orders.
Train dispatchers ought to be aware of track maintenance areas, track switch positions, and train locations running on the track. Taxicab dispatchers are called starters. They dispatch taxis to request for service. Tow-truck dispatchers are responsible to take calls for emergency road service. Water and gas service dispatchers examine water mains and gas lines. Their responsibility is to send service crews and trucks to take care of emergencies. Dispatchers need to carry out following responsibilities.
Responsibilities
Work Environment
Sometimes, the work of dispatchers may be hectic, especially, when the call flow increases. Dispatchers who work in public safety departments often work under severe stress because an improper response to a call may encounter them serious injury or further harm. Callers who are afraid or anxious may become excited and not able to provide required information. Some callers may become abusive. In spite of frustrations, dispatchers ought to remain objective, calm, and in control of circumstances.