GREAT FALLS, Mont. — Aspiring police, fire and ambulance 9-1-1 dispatchers can take advantage of an MSU-Great Falls College of Technology program that will prepare them for these rewarding and well-paying jobs. The program will be offered beginning fall 2008.
The Public Safety Communications Professional Certification program consists of five public safety communications courses, plus computer and interpersonal communications classes offered in a mixture of online and on-site (evening and weekend) offerings.
The program was designed to assist emergency dispatchers, who are required to complete training and take a test at the Montana Law Enforcement Academy within a year of being hired. Those who take the course before applying for a public safety communications professional job may have an advantage over those who enter the workforce without the credential.
“MSU- Great Falls College of Technology is pleased to respond to requests for classes in the Public Safety Communications field with this new professional certification,” said Kim Schrenk, Interim Coordinator of Adjunct and Outreach Services at the College. “Our goal was to create a program with a variety of courses, expanding on information currently taught at the Montana Law Enforcement Academy. Our instructors for these courses are impressive, bringing over 20 years of field experience to their classes.”
Putting together the Public Safety Communications program has been a joint effort by the Great Falls Police Department, MSU – Great Falls the Public Safety Officer Standards and Training Council (POST). Work to develop a college-level professional certification for public safety communications professionals began in 2006.
The program is designed to be completed in one semester, although students may opt to spread the courses over a longer period. The professional certification is currently the only POST approved, college-level, Public Safety Communications-specific program in the state.
“The Montana “POST” Council is very excited to have additional training and educational opportunities, such as this program, which help in enhancing the Public Safety Officer Profession, ” said Wayne Ternes, Executive Director Montana Public Safety Officer Standards and Training Council.
The Montana Department of Labor and Industry predicts that there will be a 23% increase in the demand for police, fire and ambulance dispatchers between 2004 (the base year) and 2014. The department expects there to be 18 job openings statewide each year. Dispatchers make an average annual wage of $27,507, according to the state.
The program is primarily aimed at training beginning dispatchers, but most Public Safety Communication courses may be taken separately by anyone who is interested in brushing up on skills needed in their profession or by students needing coursework for the EMT-Paramedic Associate of Applied Science degree.
Students also can opt to take the courses along with the EMT-Basic course to earn an advanced professional certification.
Call Natalie Nefzger today (406-771-5132) for more information. It is important to begin admission and financial aid application procedures soon to make sure you are ready when registration for fall semester begins on May 19.