911 dispatchers work in Public Safety Answering Points (PSAPs), which are dedicated call centers that handle emergency calls for police, fire, and emergency medical services (EMS)

- Answering Emergency and Non-Emergency Calls: They are the first point of contact for anyone calling 911 (or non-emergency lines) for police, fire, or emergency medical services 
- Assessing and Prioritizing Calls**:** Based on the information gathered and established protocols, they determine the urgency of the situation

- Calmness Under Pressure / Emotional Control:
- Empathy and Compassion
- Adaptability and Resourcefulness

Communication Skills: This is paramount. You need to be able to:
- Active Listening: Listen attentively to callers who may be distressed, panicked, or difficult to understand, to gather accurate and critical information quickly.
- Clear and Concise Communication:

- Entry-level (under 1 year): Around $42,260
- Mid-level (less than 2 years): Around $43,373
- Experienced workers may earn up to $59,657 per year.