In the state of Illinois, there are nearly 3,500 911 dispatchers employed in various organizations across the state with that number projecting to increase through 2020.
It is recommended that aspiring dispatchers and those working in the field currently, continue to educate themselves and obtain more training to increase chances of employment or career advancement.
Illinois 911 Dispatcher Training
Prior to being able to handle those tasks alone as a 911 operator, aspiring dispatchers must undergo months of training in order to be equiped with the skills necessary to perform the responsibilities of the job. In training, some of the areas covered are:
- Authorities Dispatching
- Order Point Computer Assisted Dispatching
- GPS Mapping
- Medical Dispatching
- Fire Dispatching
- 911 Telecommunication
Featured Schools
Illinois 911 Operator Education
Candidates who attain a college degree will generally better position themselves for job opportunities and long term career progress as a 911 dispatcher Illinois. There are schools and universities (brick and mortar and on-line) found throughout Illinois that offer degree programs that directly benefit 911 dispatchers, such as:
- Public Security
- Criminal Justice
- Homeland Security
- Emergency Management
- Fire Science
- Communication
- Psychology
- Law Enforcement
Illinois 911 Dispatcher Salary and Career Information
In the state of Illinois, 911 dispatchers make a well-deserved living for the duties that they carry out for the community that they live in. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average Illinois 911 operator earns $49,290 per year.
Organizations that employ a majority of Illinois 911 operators include:
- Joliet 911 Communications Center
- Naperville Support Services Division
- Rockford 911 Division
- Peoria Crisis Communications Center
- Chicago Office of Communications and Emergency Management
Discover 911 dispatcher programs in Illinois that are a match for you!
Prior to working as a 911 dispatcher it is important that you ask yourself if you are comfortable performing the tasks listed below:
- Working long hours (12+), maybe more in dire situations
- Assist those who are in emergency situations that may be violent, gruesome, or deadly
911 Dispatcher Programs and Schools in Illinois
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Choose your area of study and receive free information about programs you are interested in. 911 dispatchers can benefit greatly from degrees in public safety, emergency management, homeland security, and criminal justice. Request information from multiple programs to make an informed decision on the best program and educational opportunity for you!