With PSAP Vacancies Projected to Increase, Budget Constraints Might Keep Seats Empty

PSAP vacancy rates are reported to average 25% across the country. If you are looking for motivation to make the 911 Dispatcher job more attractive, consider the outlook from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). They project annual average openings in PSAP's to be 11,500 positions per year until at least 2033. BLS says this is to replace retiring 911 Dispatchers, exit the workforce or transfer to other occupations. From my experience with 911 Dispatchers, I'd say that the "retirement" category is probably the smallest of those leaving PSAP's. Public Safety Telecommunicators : Occupational Outlook Handbook: : U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

BLS also points to increasing call volume and population growth as additional reasons for an increasing need for 911 Dispatchers. The fly in the planning ointment here, in BLS's words, is: "However, state and local government budget constraints may limit the number of public safety telecommunicators hired over the projections decade."

Stop and think about this for a moment. The need for 911 services is increasing and this trend is projected to continue, increasing 4% annually. A lot of the people calling 911 really need some professional help really quickly. And that, apparently, may take a backseat to "state and local budget constraints." This situation needs a higher profile. The question of what it is that we, as a society, value needs to be asked, considered and answered.

You get nothing for nothing. You want 911 services when you need them. How do you reconcile those two things? You can’t even begin that process until enough people understand that this shortage is happening and what its consequences can be.