Explore unit group

Version:
NOC 2021 Version 1.0

14404 – 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.

Profile

Index of titles Example job titles

  • 911 dispatcher
  • 911 operator
  • Airline radio operator
  • Alarm system dispatcher
  • Alarm system operator
  • Ambulance dispatcher
  • Boat dispatcher
  • Call center operator - emergency services
  • Call center operator - services
  • Car assignments clerk
  • Coal mine car dispatcher
  • Communications officer - emergency services
  • Communications specialist dispatcher
  • Drilling rig radio operator
  • Emergency medical dispatcher
  • Emergency services dispatcher
  • Emergency vehicle dispatcher
  • Fire alarm operator
  • Fire department dispatcher
  • Gas service crew dispatcher
  • Highway radio-telephone operator
  • Mail service dispatcher
  • Maintenance services dispatcher
  • Mine dispatcher
  • Mobile equipment dispatcher
  • Monitoring station operator
  • Motor vehicle dispatcher
  • Newspaper dispatcher
  • Oil well service dispatcher
  • Pilot services dispatcher
  • Plant dispatcher
  • Police department dispatcher
  • Protective signal operator
  • Radio dispatcher
  • Radio operator
  • Radio-telephone operator
  • Service dispatcher
  • Taxi dispatcher
  • Telecommunications operator
  • Tow truck dispatcher
  • Troubleshooting services dispatcher
  • Truck dispatcher
  • Tugboat dispatcher
  • Utilities maintenance crew dispatcher
  • Water service dispatcher
  • Yard clerk
  • 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

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.

Employment requirements

  • Completion of secondary school is required.
  • Police and emergency dispatchers and other radio operators usually require provincial radio operator's certificates.
  • Police and emergency dispatchers are required to complete formal on-the-job training. Other dispatchers usually undergo some informal on-the-job training.

Additional information

    Exclusions

    Breakdown summary

    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
    Version
    NOC 2021 Version 1.0