Spanish For 9-1-1 Dispatch and Telecommunicators

For 9-1-1 Dispatchers and Telecommunicators, the ability to understand callers and relay correct information to first responders in the field is often a matter of life or death. Of the approximately 45-million Hispanics living in the USA, it is estimated that 10% speak only Spanish. This is especially true for young children growing up in Spanish-speaking households and elderly residents in the Hispanic community. Often the first point of contact, 9-1-1 telecommunicators who understand emergency-specific, Spanish words and phrases can effectively dispatch help without delay or confusion.

The Spanish for 9-1-1 Dispatch audio-visual course features specific words and phrases, plus special Alert Words (slang, cuss, and threatening language), specific to emergency situations. The focus is on understanding the nature of the call, collecting information about possible injuries, securing the correct street address, keeping the caller calm, and much more.