"9-1-1 where is your emergency"

       The 9-1-1 Center is located within the Andover Township Police Department with the Chief of Police as the 9-1-1 Coordinator. The Center is staffed with 5 full-time dispatchers and 7 part-time dispatchers. The state-of-the-art equipment allows for touch-screen dispatching along with an E9-1-1 system. The E9-1-1 (enhanced) system enables the dispatcher to have the caller's name, address, and telephone number come up on a computer screen upon answering a call for service. The system also provides the information for the appropriate police, fire, or EMS agency to be dispatched for the caller's area. The 9-1-1 Center dispatches the disciplines of police, fire, and emergency medical services in the following towns: Andover Township, Andover Borough, Green Township, and Hamburg Borough.


Essential Duties
        A dispatcher must be able to receive emergency and non-emergency calls from the public requesting police, fire, medical or other emergency service. They must determine the nature and location of the emergency and other pertinent information to be able to dispatch the appropriate discipline within a jurisdiction. A dispatcher has to maintain contact with all assigned field units by checking their status and updating their locations. They are also required to enter, update, and retrieve information on a variety of computer systems. The dispatchers will receive requests for information regarding motor vehicle registrations, driver's license checks, and warrant checks. While doing all this, they must continue to monitor several radio channels. Being able to multi-task is a must.

        The ability to calm an upset or irate 9-1-1 caller can be challenging and at times stressful under certain conditions. Emergency Medical Dispatching guidelines provide essential information and support to the caller until help arrives. The biggest reward is the vital role dispatchers provide as the important link between the public and the agencies that may save a life or property, or assist in the apprehending of criminals.





Requirements
                The necessary training to become a dispatcher is as follows:

                                * 40 hour Telecommunicator Course

                                * 32 hour Emergency Medical Dispatching Course

                                * 8 hour CPR / AED Course

        Some courses are currently being held through Sussex County Community College.