Some 911 Dispatchers’ Salaries Are Intertwined With Health and Community Concerns

Ideally, more decision-makers and budget-builders in the various jurisdictions across the country that support 911 service will become more aware of the reality of the demands placed on 911 Dispatchers and the value that 911 Dispatchers add to their communities. In my book, 911 Dispatchers Are More Than You Might Imagine, coming out next year, I mention “…the complexity of the job that 911 Dispatchers do and the positive consequences that ensue, not only in saving lives and property, but also for the financial health of a community. A burned-out store doesn’t generate a lot of sales or property taxes. A high-crime neighborhood doesn’t attract new tax-paying enterprises.”

One of the larger stressors historically associated with the job, that of insufficient compensation, is within the power of local leaders to resolve.

Maybe salaries will reach a level that will attract more candidates, result in fewer vacancies, and fewer seasoned 911 Dispatchers leaving the field for greener pa$ture$. This will in turn lead to fewer ordered overtime shifts and decrease the need for 911 Dispatchers to have a side hustle in order to pay the bills. Both of these effects will further result in decreasing the serious health problems associated with Habitual Short Sleep Duration that I have mentioned in an earlier Post (https://www.dhirubhai.net/posts/francisxholt_have-you-ever-been-ordered-to-work-an-overtime-activity-7183917656540884992-zvdd?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop).

That’s all before we even get to examining the longitudinal leadership and morale effects on the organization when your most experienced people are also your most worn-out people and move on. A lot of logistical, HR and jurisdiction-level economic dominoes fall when salary is insufficient.

A lot of studies about work note that salary is not typically among the biggest drivers of job satisfaction. In the case of 911 Dispatchers salary has consistently been noted over many years as one of the biggest drivers of job dissatisfaction.

I’m not na?ve enough to believe that raising 911 Dispatcher salaries solves all problems. But I do know enough about this job and the people who do it to realize that raising salaries, where necessary, to attract suitable candidates will have beneficial effects beyond individuals’ paychecks. It’s not an expense. It’s an investment.