King County Sheriff’s Office’s ‘9-1-1 Citizen’s Academy’ will be Sat., April 23

Local residents will have a prime opportunity to learn about the internal workings of the 9-1-1 emergency dispatch center when the next 9-1-1 Citizen’s Academy is held on Saturday, April 23, 2016.

The academy will educate citizens about the role 9-1-1 Communications Specialists play in the public safety system and prepare them should they ever need to dial 9-1-1.

The all day informative class includes everything from the History of 9-1-1 to how citizens can help 9-1-1 help them! A tour of the KCSO 9-1-1 Center is included, and optional “plug-in” time will be offered to academy attendees on follow-up dates for those interested.

The academy is open to anyone at least 18 years old with no felony convictions.

Applicants must live or work in King County.

Applications to attend are now being accepted. Space is limited and completed applications should be turned in by Friday April 15th, 2016.

Here’s more info from the KCSO website:

WHAT IS THE 9-1-1 CITIZEN’S ACADEMY?
The 9-1-1 Citizen’s Academy is a training opportunity for persons interested in a public safety dispatching career or community minded people who live or work in King County.

TOPICS

• The History of 9-1-1: 9-1-1 wasn’t always available. Find out when and where the first call was made, and how systems have improved to date.
• Call Taking: Learn how 9-1-1 calls are directed to the Center and what happens with a call from the time it’s answered to the deputies’ arrival. Understand why we ask a lot of questions and learn about techniques we might use to calm irrational, impaired, or hysterical callers to obtain information for responding officers. Discuss how calls from scared callers, the elderly, and children are handled.
• Law Enforcement Dispatching: Learn how we know which officers to send and the demographics of our Law User Agencies. Understand how Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) makes our job easier.
• 9-1-1 Communications Training Program: Find out about the training provided throughout the careers of our Communications Specialists.
• Geographical Areas and Contract Cities: Learn what it means to be a contract city, and see all the areas where we provide police services.
• Observation Time: Spend time plugged in with a Call Receiver and Dispatcher to observe what takes place when someone calls for help.

INSTRUCTORS
All instructors are members of the King County Sheriff’s Office Communications Center staff and participate in the training program. They will share their knowledge, enabling you to learn about the diversity of 9-1-1 Communications and how the user agencies work together.

QUALIFICATIONS
Potential candidates for the 9-1-1 Citizen’s Academy must meet the following criteria:

• Minimum age of 18 years
• Live or work in King County
• No felony convictions

Persons selected to attend the academy will be notified by mail/email and/or phone prior to the beginning of classes.

Applications received after the class has been filled will be retained and considered for future sessions.

The 9-1-1 Citizen’s Academy class is typically held bi-annually. They are held on a Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and include a 1 hour break for lunch.

Note: All applicants are subject to a background check and will be notified if selected to attend the academy. 

APPLICANT INSTRUCTIONS
If you are interested in participating in our 9-1-1 Citizen’s Academy, please download and complete the background and application forms.  Or you can call our recruiting hotline at (206) 205-6225 to request an application be mailed to you.

Mail completed forms to:  Regional Communications and Emergency Coordination Center (RCECC), Attention: Karolyn Foley, 3511 NE 2^nd St, Renton, WA 98056.

Forms may also be scanned and emailed to: KCSO911.FB@kingcounty.gov or faxed to 206-205-7969. If you opt to scan, fax or email the forms you must bring the originals with you.  Due to legal requirements we must follow, we won’t be able to allow you to participate without your original signed documentation provided in advance of the course.

Applications are available on the King County Sheriff’s Office website: http://www.kingcounty.gov/safety/sheriff/Enforcement/911Center/2012CitzensAcademy.aspx.

You can also request the applications by calling their Hotline at 206-205-6625