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OaSIS 2025 Version 1.0
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14404.00 – Dispatchers

Dispatchers operate radios and other telecommunication equipment to dispatch emergency vehicles and to coordinate the activities of drivers and other personnel. They are employed by police, fire and health departments, other emergency service agencies, taxi, delivery and courier services, trucking and utilities companies, and other commercial and industrial establishments.

Overview

Example job titles

  • 911 dispatcher
  • Alarm system dispatcher
  • Ambulance dispatcher
  • Emergency vehicle dispatcher
  • Mobile equipment dispatcher
  • Radio operator
  • Taxi dispatcher
  • Tow truck dispatcher
  • Truck dispatcher
  • Utilities maintenance crew dispatcher

Core competencies

  • Coordinating to allocate resources efficiently so responses are timely and all parties involved, such as personnel and vehicles, are working in concert
  • Monitoring to continuously observe and assess real-time information, such as vehicles and personnel statuses, to respond to changing conditions, identify issues and provide updates
  • Selective Attention to concentrate on urgent messages or critical information without being overwhelmed by less important details, ensuring effective and timely responses
  • Speech Recognition to accurately understand and interpret verbal information from callers, drivers and emergency personnel
  • Attention to Detail to ensure all information, such as locations, vehicle statuses and instructions, is recorded and communicated accurately
  • Knowledge in Logistics to better allocate vehicles and personnel based on current needs and priorities

Main duties

This group performs some or all of the following duties:

  • Receive requests for emergency assistance or service and contact ambulances, police and fire departments, tow-trucks, and utility crews
  • Process and transmit information and instructions to coordinate the activities of vehicle operators, crews and equipment using a variety of computer-aided communications and dispatching equipment
  • Dispatch personnel according to written schedules and work orders, or as required by emergency situations
  • Advise vehicle operators of route and traffic problems such as construction, accidents, congestion, weather conditions, weight and size restrictions and other information
  • Operate radio equipment to communicate with ships, aircraft, mining crews, offshore oil rigs, logging camps and other remote operations
  • Monitor personnel workloads and locations
  • Maintain vehicle operator work records using computerized or manual methods and ensure time sheets and payroll summaries are completed accurately
  • Maintain computer and manual records of mileage, fuel use, repairs and other expenses, and generate reports.

Additional information

No data has been provided for this section.

Similar occupations classified elsewhere

Exclusions:

NOC hierarchy breakdown

NOC version

NOC 2021 Version 1.0

Broad occupational category

1 – Business, finance and administration occupations

TEER

4 – Occupations usually require a secondary school diploma; or several weeks of on-the-job training

Major group

14 – Administrative and financial support and supply chain logistics occupations

Sub-major group

144 – Supply chain logistics, tracking and scheduling coordination occupations

Minor group

1440 – Supply chain logistics, tracking and scheduling coordination occupations

Unit group

14404 – Dispatchers

Occupational profile

14404.00 – Dispatchers

O*NET in-it

This page includes information from the O*NET 27.2 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. Employment and Social Development Canada has modified all or some of this information. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.