Idaho law enforcement want mandated training for 911 dispatchers - East Idaho News
Idaho

Idaho law enforcement want mandated training for 911 dispatchers

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COEUR D’ALENE — A push is underway by law enforcement in Idaho to standardize training for 911 dispatchers. The goal is not only to help dispatchers, but also to save lives.

“Dispatch is truly the first, first responders,” said ISP Lieutenant Kevin Haight. “They are giving people instructions on how to administer first aid, or how to breathe life back into a lifeless baby.

But there is surprising fact about the training process for dispatchers.

“Idaho 911 dispatchers are not required to have any kind of formal training or hiring standards whatsoever,” said Haight.

While dispatchers are trained, there isn’t a statewide mandate. But many law enforcement agencies are trying to change that.

“The point is.. there is no standard,” Haight said. “It’s all over the board and so we’re trying to make a baseline standard so at least everybody gets the same foundations.”

Their proposed legislation would require all dispatchers to go through 40 hours of training and then every two years complete another 40 hours to stay up-to-date on procedure and protocol.

It would also give them coping mechanisms to help them deal with the trauma they are faced on a day-to-day basis.

“If you can relate a crash to someone you know, or you’re handling a fatal cars, we’ve had to give death notifications over the phone,” said Melissa Stroh, ISP Dispatch Manager. “And those are all traumatic, those are all hard, especially when it’s a little child. Those are the hardest for me.”

Officials say a standardized state-wide training protocol would not cost taxpayers any extra money.

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