Taj Simmons is a multimedia journalist who joined WRTV in August 2023.
INDIANAPOLIS — Police officers, fire departments, and emergency medical services may be the most visible first responders , but that response begins with a 911 call. Marion County needs more people to answer those phones.The Metropolitan Emergency Services Agency currently employs 139 dispatchers, according to chief Tom Sellas, but he considers the agency short-staffed. Sellas hopes to hire at least 15 more dispatchers to spread the responsibility at the county's emergency call center.
currently takes an average of 22 seconds to answer a 911 call.Capt. Eric Banister of the Wayne Township Fire Department hopes more people sign up for the job because of how crucial dispatchers are for firefighters.'It is definitely as much of a first responder position as those of us out there quote-unquote first responding,' Banister said. 'Nothing happens until they call us. We don't drive around looking for things, they tell us to go get them.
is at this link. Starting pay is listed at $52,000 a year and you can apply if you are over 18-years-old.Sellas knows the job is not for everybody, but hopes people who are ready for the responsibility do not hesitate to apply.'We all don't have emergencies on a daily basis, but when we do have an emergency, it's very personal to us,' Sellas said.
911 Dispatchers Dispatch Dispatchers First Responders Job Mesa Metropolitan Emergency Services Agency Shortage
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