Training underway for new 911 dispatchers

Madonna Mantione
·2 min read

WILKES-BARRE, LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — Training is underway for the largest Luzerne County emergency services class to date.

It’s welcome news after years of staffing shortages and the growing need for dispatchers.

The merger between the county’s 911 center and Emergency Management Agency is off to a promising start.

Class is in session for more than a dozen new members of the Luzerne County EMS team. They’re completing weeks of paid training followed by floor rotations to become 911 dispatchers.

“We teach you everything from the geography of the county, all the way to learning the different computer that you’re gonna be working with, the phone system, the radio, the CAD system for dispatch, you’re gonna learn that right in the classroom,” explained Brian Black, Quality Assurance/Training Coordinator of Luzerne County 911.

It’s the largest class the department has ever seen. The new recruits are a welcome sight for the dispatchers who have been working non-stop to help meet the needs of the community.

“Our dispatchers that have struggled through the staffing crisis have worked 16-hour days, some of them seven days a week. They just do it. They have the heart and the ability, and they made it a priority to them to help the community. So, the goal is now to get the staffing where we need it, give them that relief that they much deserve,” stated Gina Krone, PSAP Operations Manager of Luzerne County 911.

County 911 and EMA joined forces to form one department, and now they’re strengthening their capabilities.

“We have a great team. The county has been very supportive, the county manager, county council, everybody the past year, they’ve helped us get a MOU pass to get our dispatchers a little bit more money, a better work-life-schedule,” said Bill Ives, the Deputy Director for Luzerne County 911.

The 911 Center averages approximately 1,200 calls daily. To learn more about job openings, head to the Luzerne County 911 website.

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