New communications officers of local governmental agencies – who receive, process, and transmit public safety information to dispatch law enforcement, firefighters, medical, or emergency management personnel – are mandated by Georgia law to successfully complete a 40-hour training program within the first 6 months of employment (both part-time and full-time) to obtain a certification as a Communications Officers through the Georgia Peace Officer Standards and Training Council (POST). GPSTC’s Basic Communications Officer Training program satisfies this requirement and is designed especially for newly hired Communications Officers.
To attend the course, you must be currently employed by a local governmental agency and have an approved application for certification on file with the Georgia Peace Officer Standards and Training Council.
Candidates who are currently employed by a public safety agency should immediately begin to complete a POST application. This can be done online at any time. After the POST application is complete, the agency’s training officer should enroll the student in the Basic Communications Officer Training program. The POST application does not have to be approved before enrolling the Communications Officer in the course. However, students will not be accepted into the program unless POST has approved the application at least 30 days before the course. Since the course must be completed within the candidates first six months of employment, admission priority is given to employees of local governmental agencies who are still within the six-month deadline.
Training Program Highlights
Length of Program: 40 Hours (1 week)
Tuition: FREE for new Public Safety Communications Officers (Telecommunicators) employed by a state or local government agency in Georgia, within six months of the agency start date. A tuition fee of $600 ($15 per credit hour) for those employed longer than six months or who have previously failed to complete the course minimum standards. Once paid, tuition cannot be refunded.
Special considerations: Registration for each course is available 90 days before the start of the listed calendar date. Once a student is registered for a class, they will automatically be shown as “Waiting to be Selected by Coordinator.” If not selected, the student will then show “waiting list” status when the course coordinator completes student selection for that class date. Student selection for each course offering is completed four (4) to six (6) weeks before the start date of the class. The course coordinator may offer or suggest alternative course dates to agencies to help accommodate all students awaiting acceptance to the course.
Dates Offered: View dates the program is offered
Locations offered: GPSTC Forsyth
Curriculum
GPSTC’s Basic Communications Officer Training program consists of 40 course hours and takes one week to complete. Some outside independent study is required.
| Basic Communications Officer Topics | Course Hours |
|---|---|
| Registration and Pre-testing | 1 |
| Role of the Communications Officer | 1 |
| Communications Officer Liability | 2 |
| Telephone Techniques | 4 |
| Communications Impaired Callers | 4 |
| Crisis Intervention | 4 |
| Radio Broadcast Techniques | 4 |
| Law Enforcement Dispatch | 4 |
| Fire and Hazardous Materials Dispatch | 3 |
| Medical Dispatch | 2 |
| Terrorism and WMD | 3 |
| Emergency Management | Independent Study |
| Stress Management | Independent Study |
| Cognitive and Performance Testing | 8 |
Policies
Tuition and Fees: Tuition and lodging are free for Basic Communications Officer applicants who have been employed for six months or less. Applicants who have been employed more than six months must pay $600 tuition. Tuition is due no later than the first day of class and may be paid by check, invoice, or credit card. Tuition cannot be refunded after the student has begun a class. Please note the ending dates and times of all classes to ensure completion in a timely manner.
Course Materials: During class, students should be prepared to take notes. Therefore, students should report with a pen or pencil and paper. It is extremely beneficial if the agency provides each student with a color copy of the maps utilized in class. About two (2) weeks prior to the course, it is also beneficial for the student to receive the Basic Communications Officer Reference Text and welcome letter to have ample time to complete four (4) independent study assignments prior to the first day of class. All other materials will be provided in class. If students would like to purchase a personal copy of the Communications Officer Reference Text used in class, they should contact the Course Coordinator.
Course Hours: The course lasts from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM on the dates scheduled. Students should not expect to be released from class before 5:00PM on Friday. Due to testing, it is possible that class will extend beyond normal business hours on Friday. Please make any necessary arrangements to accommodate the course schedule.
Lodging: Students who are attending basic certification are not charged for standard, double occupancy barrack rooms. Basic students must lodge in a double occupancy capacity, and do not have the option for private or premium rooms.
Dress Code: Professional dress is expected of students at all times. If the agency requires uniforms, students should wear this uniform throughout the course.
Prohibitions include:
• Facial piercings
• Unnatural hair colors
• Open-toed shoes
• Jeans
• Capri pants
• Shorts
• T-shirts
• Hats
• Mini-skirts
• Sweat suits
• Warm-up suits
• Yoga pants
• Leggings
• Any clothing that fails to cover undergarments
Students who report to class dressed inappropriately will be asked to change and will be charged with an unexcused absence.
Contact
Laloni Smith, Coordinator
[email protected]
(478) 993-4624
Not in Georgia
For resources on becoming a 911 Telecommunicator in other states, please visit the How to Become a 911 Dispatcher national website.