911 dispatchers in Manchester work through the Manchester Police Department’s Communications Division, which is comprised of the following professionals:
- 5 Dispatch Supervisors
- 16 Dispatchers
- 5 Police Services Specialists
- 2 Information Support Specialists
The Communications Division is staffed 24 hours a day by both Emergency Services Dispatchers and Police Services Specialists, all of whom are supervised by the Division’s Telecommunications Manager. In 2012 alone, the communications staff handled more than 102,000 calls for service.
If you want to become a 911 dispatcher (emergency services dispatcher) for the Manchester Police Department, you must complete a number of steps:
 | Meet Minimum Employment Requirements |
 | Complete an Application and Pass Pre-Employment Testing |
 | Meet Certification Requirements |
Step 1. Meet Minimum Employment Requirements
Before applying for a job as a 911 operator in Manchester, you must ensure you meet the Department’s minimum requirements for employment, which include having experience in the operation of communication and/or emergency service equipment or an equivalent combination of experience or training that provides you with the knowledge, skills and abilities to perform the job of a 911 operator.
Some or all of the training requirements for a 911 operator job may be fulfilled by completing a college program related to this profession. Many individuals also pursue college degrees so as to receive a solid foundation of knowledge in the areas of public safety, homeland security, communications, and emergency management.
College degrees, although not generally required to achieve positions as 911 operators, are often sought by employers when fulfilling advanced positions in this field.
Typical programs sought by individuals pursuing 911 dispatcher jobs include:
- Bachelor of Science in Public Safety and Emergency Management
- Bachelor of Science in Homeland Security
- Bachelor of Science in Public Safety Administration
- Associate of Arts in Homeland Security
- Associate of Science in Emergency Services Management
Step 2. Complete an Application and Pass Pre-Employment Testing
To apply for a 911 dispatcher job in Manchester, you must complete a City of Manchester Employment Application and return the completed application, along with your resume, to:
Human Resources Department
One City Hall Plaza
Manchester, NH 03101-4000
You may also fax the application to the Human Resources Department at 603-628-6065.
If you are chosen by the Department as a candidate, you should expect to complete a medical exam, which includes an alcohol and drug screening, as well as background investigation.
Step 3. Meet Certification Requirements
As a 911 operator, you must complete a course of training that results in CPR certification and certification as an Emergency Medical Dispatcher. Certification must be achieved within 90 days of being hired.
The initial training program for Emergency Medical Dispatcher certification includes the following courses:
- Critical Incident Stress
- New Hampshire Geography
- Role Playing
- Hazardous Materials
- Domestic Violence
- Emergency Medical Dispatch
- Suicide Intervention
- Terrorism
- TTY Training
- Advanced First Aid/CPR/AED
- Basic Telecommunications