About
BECOME A DISPATCHER
Emergency Communication Officers (ECO) work in a fast paced environment evaluating and triaging emergency calls for police, fire and ambulance. Foothills Regional 9-1-1 ECO's provide essential monitoring services for peace officers and manage municipal enforcement line call answering services.
The 9-1-1 Center is staffed with ECO's every second of every day. An ECO's schedule consists of 12 hour shifts, including days, overnights, weekends and holidays on a rotating basis.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
- Grade 12 diploma or equivalent (GED)
- Basic Life Support (Basic Rescuer CPR) Certification
- Must be able to pass enhanced liability application through RCMP
- Current EFD and EMD Certification through IAED is a strong asset
- Previous emergency service experience is a strong asset
TRAINING
- All trainees will undergo robust in-house training
- All dispatchers will complete EFD (Emergency Fire Dispatch) training through IAED (International Academy of Emergency Dispatch) and recertify every 2 years
completing 24 hours of continuing dispatch education
- All dispatchers will complete Blue Card Command training
- Professional development and further training opportunities are offered on the job
Is This Job Right for Me?
Emergency Communications Officer (EOC) - Self Assessment Checklist
Before you apply, take a few minutes to honestly assess whether this role fits your life circumstances and temperament. This checklist will help you decide if this position is right for you.
Schedule Reality
The operation runs 365 days a year. You will work some holidays and miss some family events. The shift pattern means roughly half the year off, but when you're on, the job take priority.
Ask yourself:
▢ Can I work 12-hour shifts, including days, nights, weekends and holidays?
▢ Have I built a life that can accommodate an unpredictable schedule?
▢ Am I prepared to miss some family events and holidays when scheduled?
▢ Can I arrive at least 10 minutes before each shift, ready to work?
Emotional Demands
People calling 9-1-1 are often frightened, angry or in crisis. Some will yell or panic. You're their lifeline, not their target.
Ask yourself:
▢ Can I stay calm when someone is yelling, cursing or panicking at me?
▢ Can I follow protocol precisely even when emotions are running high?
▢ Can I avoid taking hostile behavior personally?
▢ Can I be empathetic while remaining procedural?
Team Dynamic
This is a direct, high-accountability environment. Most people in emergency communications have strong personalities and high standards.
Ask yourself:
▢ Do I prefer clear expectations and honest feedback over diplomatic ambiguity?
▢ Can I work effectively with strong personalities?
▢ Am I willing to step in and help teammates without being asked?
▢ Can I stay and cover a shift on short notice when a team member cannot make it?
Work Environment
You will work with 6 screen, constant ambient sounds (alerts, check-ins), and noise levels that spike during major events. The room is typically dark with individual lighting at each station.
Ask yourself:
▢ Can I multi-task across multiple screens while listening to what is happening around me?
▢ Can I sit or stand for extended periods (12-hour shifts)?
▢ Do I have reasonable hearing and vision for processing auditory information in a noisy envioronment?
▢ Can I type at least 35 words per minute with strong computer skills?
Caregiving Considerations
If you have dependent care responsibilities, this schedule needs reliable backup arrangements. The unpredictability makes it difficult without a strong support system.
Ask yourself:
▢ If I provide care for children or others, do I have reliable backup arrangements?
▢ Can my support system handle schedule unpredictability?
Your Motivation
This role requires a deep sense of duty. When someone calls 9-1-1, you are the reason help arrives.
Ask yourself:
▢ Do I genuinely want to help people in crisis?
▢ Do I understand and value what this job delivers to communities?
▢ Am I looking for meaningful work, not just a paycheck?
How to Interpret Your Answers
If you checked most boxes: This role may be a good fit for you. Apply and let us learn more about you.
If you have several unchecked boxes: Consider whether those areas are deal breakers or areas where you could adapt. Be honest with yourself.
If you have many unchecked boxes: This role may not be the right fit for your current circumstances. That is okay. There may be other roles in emergency services that better match your situation.
Questions: Contact Shannon Moor, Strategic Operations Manager.