CR News
CR to offer Public Safety Dispatcher course at Downtown Site this fall
By Paul DeMark
Jun 30, 2009, 13:07

CR to offer Public Safety Dispatcher course at Downtown Site this fall


The College of the Redwoods Public Safety Center is offering the Public Safety Dispatcher in the fall semester, beginning Tuesday August 25. Class nights are Tuesday and Thursdays from 6-10 pm at the Eureka Downtown site; 605 K Street.

CR Director of Advanced Officer Training Ken Cleveland said a person who completes the 120-hour course will be able to become a public dispatcher for a county or city fire of police department.

“Dispatchers are always needed, 24 hour hours a day, seven days a week,” Cleveland said. “Dispatchers usually work in teams but at the Eureka police Department,, three work at one time.

“People looking for a career, with excellent pay and benefits should consider being a dispatcher.”
Cleveland said pay ranges vary at each agency, but at the Eureka Police Department, the salaries range from $33,720 to $41,004 per year and the retirement and health benefits are excellent as well.

“To complete the course one needs to invest a relatively small amount of time and extreme dedication,” Cleveland added.

Debbie Topping, the administrative assistant for the CR Public Safety Center, is a former Public Safety Dispatcher.
“The days are never boring, each shift is different and the pressure can be constant,” she said. “It’s the most exciting job I ever held.”

Deedee Wilson, the communications manager for the Eureka Police Department, will be the lead instructor for the course.

The course is a five-unit class, which will cost participants $117-- which includes tuition and other fees.
The maximum number of participants is 40.

For more information, call 476-4334 or check out CR’s website, www.redwoods.edu.



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