911 and Public Safety Communications PSC
One line note that is displayed under the theory/pratice chart.
Workload Level
- 8 courses in the first semester
- 0.5 hours of study/assignments required for each hour in class
- 21 hours of class (26 hour/week commitment)
- It is expected that you will participate in out of class activities.
Holland Code: C (Conventional)
What academic skills do I need to be successful in the program?
This list does not replace the admission requirements you must have for admission to the program. Please see the website for details.
Arts & Literacy Grade 12 English (75 at college level, 65 at university level).
Math and Science have no requirements, but courses in health and biology may be helpful.
Technology basic computer and keyboarding skills required (Microsoft Office, email, Internet).
What personal qualities should someone interested in this career have?
- Empathy
- Ability to work well on a team and as an individual
- Resilience
- Problem-solving skills
- Critical thinking skills
- Time management skills
- Analytical skills
- Spatial awareness
- Verbal communication skills
- Written communication skills
Useful background experience for this program would be
Community service, community volunteer experience.
What kind of work could I do when I graduate?
Graduates of this program may go on to become a
911 communications with police, fire, or ambulance, patient transfer service coordination, critical care bed coordination, security control operator, utilities dispatch (Enbridge, Hydro, etc.), Towing & Logistics dispatch, Highway services dispatch (Ministry of Transportation), Communications with the Ministry of Natural Resources (Parks, etc.).
Places you may find yourself employed include
Emergency Communications Centres, Security Control Centres, other call centres that require the gathering and distribution of information with efficiency.
Typical working conditions for this kind of work:
- Office-style environment, sitting for extended periods
- Continuous background noise and activity
- Shift work in a 24/7 environment (8-12 hour shifts)
- high-stress situations
- rapidly changing situations
- Direct questioning of callers to obtain location information and situational details as quickly as possible with accurate documentation
- Creation and completion of reports
- Testing of communication systems
- Using communications systems (phone systems, radio systems, computer software)
- Provide life-saving instructions to callers
Helpful links for further research into this Fanshawe College program and career opportunity
- APCO (Association of Public Safety Communications Officials) Canada (Website)
NOC Codes
The National Occupation Classification (NOC) system is used by the Canadian government to provide detailed information on careers. Visit the National Occupation Classification website and use the NOC codes below to learn more about careers associated with this Fanshawe College program. Please note: These codes are listed here for information purposes only. Fanshawe College does not guarantee graduates careers in these fields.
- NOC Code 1525 Dispatchers
The Canada Job Bank is an excellent resource for labour market information including wages, jobs available and career planning advice.
Career Outlook
Explore Fanshawe Career Coach to learn more about related careers, employment, job postings and current local data on wages.
Last Modified: November 22, 2022