Eligibility

• Have a high school diploma or GED

Application

Please fill out the form under “Job Opportunities.” If you would like to mail or email a cover letter or resume:
CCE Central Dispatch
Attn: Human Resources
1694 US 131 Hwy. Petoskey, MI 49770
[email protected]

Successful completion of testing including:

• Criticall Test: (Criticall is software that tests dispatcher, call taker, and telecommunicator applicants for critical skills and abilities necessary for success in today’s complex, and stressful, dispatching environment)
• Personality Test
• Typing 30 words per minute or higher

Other Requirements

• Pass a criminal background check
• Pass a background investigation
• Pass a psychological evaluation
• Pass a physical exam, drug screen, and hearing test

Phones

Dispatchers answer all incoming 911 calls for Charlevoix, Cheboygan and Emmet County. In 2022, over 144,000 phone calls came into the dispatch center through 911 and administration lines. This does not include any additional outgoing phone calls that are made for other requests.

Computer-Aided Dispatch (CAD)

CAD is a management tool designed to accomplish many things like tracking personnel, reports, addresses, mapping, and much more. This is where every dispatched call whether it be police, fire or Emergency Medical Services (EMS) starts. This system tracks an incredible amount of information to assist agencies and departments in a variety of ways.

Law Enforcement Information Network (LEIN)

Dispatchers are certified LEIN operators, and use the system regularly to assist Law Enforcement in their day-to-day operations including; traffic stops, license plate checks, warrant checks, stolen vehicles/items, and officer safety cautions. Dispatchers can enter and maintain warrants for cases in the county and city. Dispatchers can also enter and maintain Personal Protection Orders (PPOs), court orders, probation orders from the courts in the county. Dispatchers are responsible for getting LEIN bulletins out to all local law enforcement agencies in a timely fashion. These are regional and sometimes state-wide alerts.

Radio

Dispatchers are responsible for radio traffic for all public safety agencies in Charlevoix, Cheboygan and Emmet Counties. Dispatchers monitor numerous talkgroups on the Michigan Public Safety Communication System (MPSCS).  Radio responsibilities are broken up into 3 categories based on the agencies the dispatcher is working for the shift; City Police, County Police, or Fire/EMS.

Weather

Dispatchers are responsible for monitoring weather related information from various sources including the National Weather Service (NWS), TV stations, LEIN and others. They make decisions and notifications based on this information to Emergency Management, Fire Services, Law Enforcement and Marine Division.

Emergency Medical Dispatching

The protocol is designed to send the most appropriate level of care to a patient needing medical assistance. Dispatchers ask a well-defined series of short questions, which will then determine a proper level of response for EMS providers and increase the safety of EMS personnel, as well as the general public. This has become a worldwide program and is strongly supported by Medical Control throughout northern Michigan.

Our training consists of 4 structured phases that allow for optimal learning and successful completion.

Phases of Training

• Phase 1: Observation and Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD)
• Phase 2: Law Enforcement Information Network (LEIN), RMS and SOG’s
• Phase 3: 911 Call Taking and CAD Entry
• Phase 4: Shadow Phase

During the shadow phase, the trainee will be given time to be observed functioning on their own with minimal assistance from the trainer. This is the phase where the trainee shows what they have learned throughout the whole program and proves they can handle the duties of the job under their own ability.

Successful Completion Requirements

1. Pass all tests through all phases.
2. Complete shadow phase without issue.
3. Complete beginning and advanced dispatch training
4. Become certified in Emergency Medical Dispatch.
5. Become certified in CPR.
6. Become certified in Michigan LEIN.

Salary

• Competitive starting pay.

Benefits Package

• Health, dental and optical insurance plans
• Vacation time after first year
• Sick and Wellness leave
• MERS Retirement Plan
• Opportunities to participate in HSA and Aflac plans
• Life Insurance