911 Training
Telecommunicator Training Program
Washington State’s 911 System and 911 services are a vital part of our state’s emergency response and disaster preparedness system. Highly trained 911 personnel are vital to an effective public safety response.
The 911 Telecommunicator Training Program offers essential training to the very first of the first responders – public safety telecommunicators who are employed in 911 emergency call centers. The training program is managed by the State Enhanced 911 Coordination Office (SECO) in collaboration with the 911 Advisory Committee (AC) Training Subcommittee.
Our training courses meet current industry training standards and are designed to augment and enhance existing PSAP agency specific training programs. We embrace technology by offering online, hybrid and in-person classes. Our state certified instructors are highly trained 911 professionals and our classes allow participants to work with the instructors and each other to share knowledge, insights and approaches to both similar and unique challenges encountered in the PSAPs.
Our basic telecommunicator and continuing education courses provide up-to-date information in effective crisis communications, Next Generation 911 and location technologies, call processing and dispatching procedures, stress management, overcoming communication barriers and other essential knowledge and skills necessary to meet the demands of this critical work. We also offer advanced training and professional development courses to ECC Supervisors and CTO’s, with focus on the knowledge, skills and abilities to effectively build and lead successful teams.
Cadre Instructors
Our telecommunicator training program is supported by our certified cadre instructors. Cadre instructors work with our team in addition to their work in the PSAP. For every course they teach, they have moved through an observation and apprenticeship (in partnership with a mentor) to become well-versed in the material. They additionally participate in at least two instructor workshop retreats for professional development purposes each year. All travel expenses are covered through our office, according to SAAM rules in addition to offering a competitive hourly instruction fee. We are regularly looking for telecommunicators with strong training backgrounds and a passion for training other telecommunicators to join us.
If you enjoy teaching, mentoring, and sharing your knowledge at or beyond your own agency, we'd love to talk with you. Fill out the application (Word) and send it to mil-911training@mil.wa.gov to get scheduled for an interview.
Please Note: Applicants from both primary and secondary PSAP's are encouraged to apply. Depending on your agency's responsibilities, additional training may be provided in order to be comfortable with training topics that may not be part of your day-to-day experience (i.e., criminal justice information for a fire only secondary PSAP candidate).
Our training program fully meets the knowledge requirements for statewide certification, in compliance with RCW 38.60. Telecommunicator 1 (T1) meets the requirements for call-taking, while Telecommunicator 2 (T2) meets the requirements for dispatch. Further information on statewide certification requirements can be found here: 911 Certification Board | Washington State Military Department
Other Training Opportunities
The Washington Chapter of APCO/NENA offers additional training opportunities through two-day forums (typically offered in the spring and summer) and workshops for Public Education, Training Coordinators and the County Coordinators. Our Washington State Conference spans three-days with a variety of classes offered for telecommunicators and other 911 professionals, held in the fall. For additional information, please see the Washington APCO/NENA webpage.