Public safety communications has evolved into a specialized and professional field. Every year, 45 State Licensed
Public Safety Telecommunicators handle over 360,000 calls for service made to the Manatee County Sheriff's Office’s
Communications Center. Operating 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, Dispatch is the ‘hub’ of community service…
The MCSO Communications Center is
recognized as “A Center of Excellence”. Receiving accreditation from the International Academy of Emergency Dispatch (IAED),
we have proven to be an agency committed to providing a high-standard of care to our community. We utilize IAED Police Priority
Dispatch Protocols to provide structure to our call taking and ensure proper call classification and resource allocation.
Regular reviews are conducted through our rigorous quality assurance and quality improvement programs.
We work in concert with Manatee County Emergency Communications who answers 9-1-1 and dispatches Fire and Medical calls for service.
In addition, we coordinate with our neighboring law enforcement agencies and other public service providers.
The Public Safety Telecommunicator…
Dedicated to service, we are characterized by our professionalism and sense of duty to the general public. We answer incoming
emergency and non-emergency telephone calls, process the information and relay it to the law enforcement deputies who respond.
In addition we monitor activities of the patrol deputies and coordinate additional resources such as Crime Scene, K-9, SWAT,
and Dive Team.
We work 12-hour shifts with rotating days off. Often it’s a fast-paced environment with significant teamwork required. We utilize
state-of-the-art equipment including our computer-aided-dispatch and intelligent phone and radio systems.
As a Public Safety Telecommunicator, we must act decisively, make critical, time-sensitive decisions and do so while maintaining
a calm, composed demeanor. We serve a vital role between the citizens and the responders…We truly are the “First, First Responder”.
Contact Info:
Director Carrie.Flynn@manateesheriff.com
Chief Dispatcher Deborah.Crum@manateesheriff.com
Employment
International Academy of Emergency Dispatch (IAED)
The IAED is a non-profit standard-setting organization promoting safe and effective emergency dispatch services world-wide.
Comprised of three allied Academies for medical, fire and police dispatching, the IAED supports first-responder related research,
unified protocol application, legislation for emergency call center regulation, and strengthening the emergency dispatch community
through education, certification, and accreditation. More information can be found by visiting
www.emergencydispatch.org