Training Process

Once hired, a new trainee attends a two-week Department of Public Safety, Standards & Training (DPSST) academy in Salem and a ten-week in-house academy to learn basic knowledge necessary to answer/process emergency and non-emergency calls; and dispatch Police, Fire and Medical responders.  Upon successful completion of the basic academy, trainees begin approximately 18 months of on-the-job training in call taking (police, fire and medical) and Police and Fire Dispatch.  Each trainee is assigned to a coach, working that coach's shift and sharing the same days off.  Trainees may work with several coaches during their training program.  During that time, trainees receive daily performance reviews and two-week supervisor reviews to ensure that they are aware of job performance and training needs.