14404 – Dispatchers

Lead statement

Dispatchers operate radios and other telecommunication equipment to dispatch emergency vehicles and to coordinate the activities of drivers and other personnel. They are employed by police, fire and health departments, other emergency service agencies, taxi, delivery and courier services, trucking and utilities companies, and other commercial and industrial establishments.

Main duties

• Receive requests for emergency assistance or service and contact ambulances, police and fire departments, tow-trucks, and utility crews
• Process and transmit information and instructions to coordinate the activities of vehicle operators, crews and equipment using a variety of computer-aided communications and dispatching equipment
• Dispatch personnel according to written schedules and work orders, or as required by emergency situations
• Advise vehicle operators of route and traffic problems such as construction, accidents, congestion, weather conditions, weight and size restrictions and other information
• Operate radio equipment to communicate with ships, aircraft, mining crews, offshore oil rigs, logging camps and other remote operations
• Monitor personnel workloads and locations
• Maintain vehicle operator work records using computerized or manual methods and ensure time sheets and payroll summaries are completed accurately
• Maintain computer and manual records of mileage, fuel use, repairs and other expenses, and generate reports.

Employment requirements

• Completion of secondary school is required.
• Police and emergency dispatchers and other radio operators usually require provincial radio operator's certificates.
• Police and emergency dispatchers are required to complete formal on-the-job training. Other dispatchers usually undergo some informal on-the-job training.

Example job titles

911 dispatcher · airline radio operator · alarm system dispatcher · alarm system operator · protective signal operator · ambulance dispatcher · boat dispatcher · car assignments clerk · coal mine car dispatcher · telecommunications operator · communications specialist dispatcher · radio dispatcher · fire department dispatcher · gas service crew dispatcher · mail service dispatcher · mine dispatcher · mobile equipment dispatcher · motor vehicle dispatcher · newspaper dispatcher · oil well service dispatcher · plant dispatcher · police department dispatcher · taxi dispatcher · tow truck dispatcher · truck dispatcher · utilities maintenance crew dispatcher · drilling rig radio operator · emergency medical dispatcher · emergency vehicle dispatcher · fire alarm operator · highway radio-telephone operator · service dispatcher · yard clerk · radio-telephone operator · emergency services dispatcher · pilot services dispatcher · maintenance services dispatcher · troubleshooting services dispatcher · monitoring station operator · radio operator

Wages (per hour)

Source: Job Bank wages, 2025 release (ESDC). Low and high are the 10th and 90th percentiles.