OHIO — A 2023 survey by the National Association of State 911 Administrators shows the average vacancy in 911 centers cross America was about 25% between 2019 and 2022.

One Ohio school is looking to help close the gap. 

What You Need To Know

  • The Warren County Career Center is now offering a 911 dispatcher training for 12th grade students 

  • Students learn the ins and outs of becoming a dispatcher through the help of a simulator 

  • At the end of the class students can earn a communications specialist certificate 

This spring, seniors at Warren County Career Center are getting the chance to learn more about the 911 dispatcher field. It's all thanks to a new nine-week course that gives students hands-on experience with simulators. They also learn from local law enforcement and dispatchers at the warren county communications center.

“Our goal is that when they complete this course, they will have an opportunity to go and do an internship with those agencies to determine if it is something that they, you know, truly want to pursue,” said Jeff Piper, a Warren County Career Center instructor.

This is the first time the 911 dispatcher training is being offered at the school. Students who pass a test at the end of the course will receive a communications specialist certificate.

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