Emergency Telecommunicator Certification (911 Dispatcher)

Class Description

The Emergency Telecommunicator Certification (ETC) program trains individuals in emergency communication center operations, telecommunication technology, interpersonal communication, legal considerations and stress management. This course is ideal for those new to emergency dispatching and provides hands-on training with multimedia presentations.

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Course Structure & Schedule

There are two ways to complete this certification:

1. 1. Open Enrollment Course – Register directly through the Community College Workforce Alliance (CCWA).
2. 2. Henrico County Internship – A paid internship where the 911 Dispatcher course is embedded into the training. Applicants must first apply for the Henrico County 911 Dispatcher Internship and complete the application process before enrolling in the course.

Course Topics:

• Roles and Responsibilities of a 911 Dispatcher
• Emergency Telecommunication Technologies
• Call Handling and Communication Skills
• Police, Fire and Medical Call Classifications
• Managing Catastrophic Events (Natural & Man-Made)
• Radio Broadcast Procedures
• Legal Aspects of Public Safety Communication
• Quality Improvement Standards
• Stress Management for Emergency Dispatchers

Certification Details:

• Passing Score: 80% (Certification valid for 2 years)
• Format: In-person (days vary)
• Final Exam: Held on the last day of class

Henrico County 911 Dispatcher Internship (Paid)

This internship program includes the Emergency Telecommunicator Course as part of its training. To be eligible, applicants must complete the following steps:

1. 1. Submit Online Application (Check the Henrico County website for internship openings)
2. 2. Pass the CRITICALL 911 Dispatcher Test
3. 3. Complete a Background Investigation
4. 4. Attend a Staff Interview (Upon approval, you can register for the 911 Dispatcher course)
5. 5. Chief’s Review
6. 6. Undergo a Psychological Assessment & Clinical Interview
7. 7. Pass a Hearing, Vision Exam and Drug Screening
8. 8. Receive Final Offer of Employment

Upcoming Class Dates

Register for Self-Paced Orientation

Register for Employee-Led Orientation (In-Person or via Zoom)

Getting Started

To get started, please create a student profile and register for one of our Healthcare Orientation Sessions. This is the first step toward enrolling in our healthcare classes. During orientation, you will learn about available programs, begin the registration process, and apply for grant funding that can cover up to 100% of your tuition.

Note: You only need to complete one orientation. Please choose either the employee-led session or the self-paced session—not both.

Step 1: Create a profile button

Click here to create a profile button.

Already taken a CCWA class? You probably already have an account-no need to create a new one.

Step 2: Register for Employee-Led Orientation

An employee-led orientation session is a live meeting—held in person or via Zoom—led by a CCWA staff member. During the session, you’ll get an overview of your program, next steps, and have a chance to ask questions in real time.

Click here to register for Employee-Led Orientation.

Step 3: Register for Self-Paced Orientation Sessions

• Log in to your new student profile
• Use the search bar in the top right corner to find CCWA Healthcare New Student Orientation
• Click “Register” to enroll

Step 4: Login Information for Self-Paced Orientation via Canvas

After you create your student profile and register for orientation, you will need to complete the orientation course in Canvas.

Log in to the class here.

If you do not know your USERNAME, please click on "Forgot Username" and follow the prompts. You will need to create a password for your account. Once you have set your password, write this down as you will use this login information repeatedly to access the course materials and assignments.

If you need help accessing your VCCS email account, see the How-To: Checking Your Student Email video. The Help Hub is also available for technical assistance via text (804-476-0401), phone (804-796-4000), or email (Helphub@brightpoint.edu).