A few of Maine’s largest providers of 911 dispatcher Jobs include:
- Maine Emergency Services Communication Bureau – Hallowell
- Sagadahoc County Communications Center – Bath
- Lincoln County 911 Communications Center – Wiscasset
- Portland Police Department Emergency Communications – Portland
- City of Biddeford Police Department Emergency Communications Division – Biddeford
Many employers of 911 dispatchers in Maine prefer to hire candidates who have already been certified by the State of Maine in METRO Interface Computer-Aided Dispatch Systems and the operation of the National Law Enforcement Telecommunication System (NLETS). Preference is also often given to those who have certification in Emergency Medical Dispatch (EMD). Employers may choose to provide this professional-level training to new employees who do not already possess it.
Degrees for 911 Dispatchers in Maine
The following are among the degree programs that are pertinent to candidates looking to become 911 dispatchers in Maine:
- Associate of Applied Sciences Degree in Emergency Medical Services – includes these courses/skills:
- Anatomy and Physiology
- Fundamentals of Emergency Medical Services
- Trauma Management
- Medical Emergencies
- Emergency Care Across the Lifespan
- Associate of Applied Sciences Degree in Emergency Medical Services – includes these courses/skills:
- Associate of Arts in Emergency Management – courses/skills include:
- Introduction to Information Techno logy
- GIS and GPS for Public Safety Professionals
- Homeland Security and Emergency Management
- Disaster Management
- National Incident Management Systems
- Associate of Arts in Emergency Management – courses/skills include:
- Certificate in Emergency Management/Homeland Security – courses/skills include:
- GIs and GPS for Public Safety
- Terrorism
- Public Administration and Emergency Management
- Disaster Management
Professional Certification for 911 Dispatchers in Maine
The International Academies of Emergency Dispatch offer Emergency Medical Dispatch (EMD) certification programs. The three-day course concludes with a written certification exam, which must be passed with a score of 80 percent or better to become EMD certified. One must also seek certification in CPR through the American Red Cross or other organization before EMD certification will be bestowed. EMD training is provided in Maine by:
- Maine State Police Access Integrity Unit, Maine Criminal Justice Academy, Vassalboro
- Maine Emergency Services Communication Bureau, Maine Criminal Justice Academy, Vassalboro
Maine’s Proposed Confidentiality Bill
A proposed confidentiality bill in Maine would limit public access to information collected by 911 dispatchers in any of Maine’s public safety agencies. Currently, six states keep 911 recordings and information confidential, but Maine is not one of them, per the National Conference of State Legislatures. The American Civil Liberties Union of Maine and a Maine attorney proposed this bill in response to a homicide case in Biddeford from December 2012. The 911 information in this case was released to the public, potentially releasing sensitive case material prematurely. Individual judges in Maine have blocked the release of 911 information in the past. This law would make it a crime to release any information or records from 911 calls that relate to a pending law enforcement investigation or criminal prosecution.