I have a question

[kimincali06]

Well first I wanted to introduce myself, I just joined this group today! My name is Kim and I am 19 years old. I've been pretty interested in the PSD job for a while now, but I've never had the "courage" to fill out an application.

Does anybody know when I can turn in an application? (I know there are certain times when they test and what not).

I know that this is a "high-stress" job, what is it like on a typical day for a dispatcher? When you first started was the job difficult for you? Of course, im a little nervous, wondering if id even be able to take on a job like this, but its something im VERY interested in, so I dont want to give up hope just yet!


PS. I am located in Bakersfield, CA and would be applying for a position in my town.

[iakona]

If you go down to the Bakersfield CHP office, I'm sure one of the dispatch supervisors can speak to you about the job. The communications center is located in the CHP office. Depending on the area you work, the radio can be very busy, or not so busy. But if you want to stay in Bakersfield, they can train you in that office.

[kimincali06]

Thanks :)
I just mailed my application about 30minutes ago!

[cal911gal]

Kim

Glad you mailed your app! We just tested, so the next test should be in the early spring, likely March or April. I also would encourage you to contact a Comm Supervisor in Bakersfield and see if it would be possible to come in and do a "sit along". If they allow this, please prepare a list of questions you would like to ask both the dispatchers, and their supervisors.

The job is very challenging, but you said you've been considering it for a while, and the best thing you can have coming in to this is a desire to do the job and the interest! If hired, you'll be given great training and plenty of time to absorb it all and show you have what it takes!

If you have questions, feel free to PM me anytime, or post here.

I wish you the best of luck in pursuing a great career!

[smylex]

I know that this is a "high-stress" job, what is it like on a typical day for a dispatcher? When you first started was the job difficult for you? Of course, im a little nervous, wondering if id even be able to take on a job like this, but its something im VERY interested in, so I dont want to give up hope just yet!

Typical day:

Briefing - here, we find out any new developments within the department, county, state regarding the job; any new information regarding software changes (Vesta, MapStar, CAD); policy changes and radio position assignments for the day. When done with briefing items, we usually discuss any previous days events, any other items to be discussed, etc. When done with that, we head into the...

Comm Center - on days working Service Desk, you'll be required to answer telephones. These calls can be anything from people requesting information regarding the installation of baby seats in their vehicles to reports of fatal accidents on the highway. One of the things that you'll be expected to do is remain as calm as possible because you're going to be the only sound of sanity the person who is on the other end of the line and you need to get as much information as possible in as short a time as possible. You're going to hear everything from the tragic to the ridiculous (i.e. I had someone call when I was training a new employee stating that they wanted an officer to come out and get rid of the invisible towers along the SR-57 freeway in Orange that were shining a bluish-white light on to passing drivers and that this light was making them nauseous:noidea:). Depending on where you're at, you may be assigned to work "Call Out," where you'll be assigned the additional duties of contacting towing companies for calls. During the evenings, especially during the holidays, you're going to get an incredible amount of drunk driving calls. In Orange County, we received at least 218 drunk driving calls (23152) on Christmas Day. Now, take all of this information and apply it to working...

The Radio - Here, you'll also be answering the phones, but your first priority is the SAFETY OF YOUR OFFICERS. Those last 4 words are what you need to take into account. When it gets busy on the radio, you aren't required to answer the phones. At the radio position, you'll also be running everything from 10-28's (information on license plates), 11-27's (driver's license check), 10-29's (wants information), checking criminal histories and anything else your officers ask for. Here at the radio, anything can happen, and sometimes does. One moment, you'll have a slow day and be running a 10-28 for one officer when your CAD alarm starts going off that you have another officer with a vehicle that's stolen. As always, be prepared for anything.

As an example: one fine Sunday afternoon this year, I was working a slow day on the Purple (Santa Ana) radio. Nothing of interest to report, when one of the officers comes on the air and asks if we have any reports of a fire in the area. We telephone Orange County Fire Authority who informs us that the only fire that is working is in Fontana, CA, approximately 45 miles away in another county. The officer comes back and says that there appears to be a fire in our county's hills and that this can't be from Fontana. She then heads up to the area of the toll roads (SR-241) and reports the fire approximately a few miles away. With the Santa Ana winds blowing through the area, within 5 minutes this fire was 1,000 feet away. Five minutes later, the fire was jumping the freeway and the officers were turning people around in the center divider to get them safely out of the area. Every one of my officers (approximately 15 or so) were then taken off any calls they were on and responded to the wildfires that were spreading like...well, wildfire! Hey, you got another synonym, you tell me! :lol: This situation lasted me the remaining 6 hours of my time on the radio that day and continued through my days off until about 2 days after I returned to work.

I don't want any of this to scare you away from the job. If you're like me, you'll appreciate the new experiences you're going to get with this job. Even the stuff that seems rote is something to learn new things from. This job can be tough on people, including dealing with a public that can be irate and downright unforgiving to dealing with officers who are having a bad day (don't take it personally; we're all part of the same team and there may be something happening to cause their irritation that you won't be able to see since you're in the communications center).

Finally, training can be overwhelming - not everybody gets through it. We've had some people who've quit within a few days of being hired because they realized they can't handle hearing some of the stuff that we deal with day in and day out with 911 calls. You're also going to be getting a lot of information to learn in a short amount of time. Study at home, as well as during your downtime at work. Ask lots of questions. When you start radio training, or even before, get yourself a scanner so you can listen to the stuff that's going on and how other dispatchers handle the radio. As has been advised, also try to get in on a "sit-along," preferably during busy times so you'll see the kind of stuff that can happen.

Good luck in the selection process and maybe someday we may be sending MIS messages to each other! :smile:

[cal911gal]

Finally, training can be overwhelming - not everybody gets through it. We've had some people who've quit within a few days of being hired because they realized they can't handle hearing some of the stuff that we deal with day in and day out with 911 calls. You're also going to be getting a lot of information to learn in a short amount of time. Study at home, as well as during your downtime at work. Ask lots of questions. When you start radio training, or even before, get yourself a scanner so you can listen to the stuff that's going on and how other dispatchers handle the radio. As has been advised, also try to get in on a "sit-along," preferably during busy times so you'll see the kind of stuff that can happen.




Great post Smylex, especially that last paragraph. I try to instill the same thoughts in each new person hired, especially that they will need to study constantly in order to absorb all they need to know to succeed at this job. Unfortunately, many don't and stuggle/fail because of it.

That being said, I'd encourage anyone interested in the field, or interested in getting a 'foot in the door' of the CHP, to seriously consider dispatching. It is a tough and oftentimes thankless job, but one that is critical to the safety of our officers and the public. We're constantly looking for qualified candidates, just like the field is, and need all the help we can get.

Every day is different, every day can be a challenge, and as you said, every day is an opportunity to learn something new.

Meet the challenge!

[smylex]

I will say that I had some trouble during the training, especially in Phase 2. My grandmother passed away 6 months into my employment and this had a negative effect on my training and performance at work, including a write up on my 100 form. :sad: Fortunately, I utilized the E.A.P. (Employee Assistance Program) and saw a psychologist who helped me get through the grief of losing a family member, as well as some stress-relieving techniques, which really helped a lot.

[cal911gal]

Learning a new job is never easy, I don't care who you are (or what the job is.) Sorry to hear about your loss, I went through something similar - my dad passed away 6 weeks into my working here.......that which does not kill us makes us stronger, no?

[smylex]

...that which does not kill us makes us stronger, no?

Or, to quote a dear friend of mine, "That which fails to kill me only makes me stranger." :lol:

[PapaBear]

This may be of interest to you..........................

http://www.chp.ca.gov/recruiting/psd.html

http://www.chp.ca.gov/images/psd-lacc.jpg