40 Public Safety Dispatcher Interview Questions and Answers

40 Possible Public Safety Dispatcher Interview Questions and Answers

1. Tell me a little bit about yourself.

I have worked as a public safety dispatcher for 4 years. Before that, I was working as a volunteer in the fire department, where my work was quite similar to what I am doing now. This work is my passion, as I have always wanted to be in a position of assistance to the general public.

2. What are some of the duties that you have performed in the role of a public safety dispatcher?

As a public safety dispatcher, I have handled many tasks such as responding to calls for assistance and ensuring that callers are provided with solid information to help them out. In addition, I have performed public safety dispatch services, keeping track of public safety responders. Moreover, my work includes creating and maintaining logs of emergency services into computer-aided dispatch systems and providing detailed information to responders.

3. What skills do you possess which make you an excellent person to hire at this position?

I am a highly responsive individual, which means that I listen intently, and respond accordingly. My organizational skills are as great as my communication skills are. And I can effectively communicate with people from all backgrounds, which is also a great help in this work.

4. What do you like most about Public Safety Dispatcher work?

The fact that get to help people is what I like most about this work.

5. What do you dislike about Public Safety Dispatcher work?

I wouldn’t call it a dislike, but it is quite upsetting when I am unable to help someone despite my best efforts.

6. How do you handle conflict in the workplace?

Dispatchers are so busy with their work that internal conflict is almost never there. When it does arise, my focus is usually on my work, so I don’t pay much attention to it.

7. What is the most challenging part of public safety dispatching work?

Ensuring that dispatchers reach the right place at the right time is challenging.

8. How do you handle the stress associated with this work?

I feel that one needs to detach oneself emotionally if one wants to be successful in this work. While I stay alert, I make sure that the work does not affect me adversely, so stress is usually not a problem.

9. How do you handle calls that are difficult to understand?

My present employment place has a protocol – if you cannot understand the caller, you take help from an available dispatcher to comprehend what help is required.

10. Do you feel that you give your best to this work?

Yes. I am someone who believes in giving my best shot to any work that I do.

11. How were you trained for this position?

I went through a series of excellent training sessions. After training, I was working in an assistantship capacity with a dispatcher and started working as one only when I had instilled confidence in my supervisor that I could do this work.

12. What do you consider to be your most outstanding trait?

My most outstanding trait is my ability to analyze emergency and non-emergency situations with great depth.

13. Do you like working in a team environment?

Yes. I feel that working in a team environment is best, as it provides everyone with the opportunity to do more.

14. What motivates you to do your best?

As I mentioned earlier, I love working toward the betterment of people. This is my only motivator.

15. How would you define your work ethic?

I have excellent work ethics, which is aimed at ensuring that everyone I work with considers my contact as fair dealing.

16. How would you react if you found out that a coworker was involved in nefarious activities?

I would first make sure that my information is correct. I would then report them to the supervisor.

17. What kind of environment are you most comfortable working in?

I believe that when one is working, one’s concentration should be on nothing but work. Working in an environment where everyone understands this is a perfect one for me.

18. What is your biggest strength?

My biggest strength is my ability to get along with everyone, no matter what their personality is.

19. What is your biggest weakness?

I wouldn’t term it as weakness now that I have overcome it, but until not too long ago, I was quite emotionally attached to all my cases.

20. Why do you want to work with us specifically?

I feel that I can bring great value to your already excellently managed facility. Also, I want to work for an organization that takes its clients’ safety and wellbeing seriously.

21. Why do you want to leave your present job?

I am presently working for a facility that is not very busy, hence, I feel that I do not have much to do. I want to work in a dynamic environment, where I can learn much, and contribute more.

22. Tell me about a time that you made a mistake?

I once recorded an incorrect address, which could have been fatal had the correct address not been right next door. I have since learned to be more careful about how I handle information.

23. How would your coworkers describe you?

I am sure that my coworkers will say that I work too hard.

24. What do you do to destress?

When I want to destress, usually during breaks, I listen to music, which really helps me in letting off steam.

25. What happens on days when you don’t feel like working?

That never happens. I am very serious about my work.

26. How do you prioritize your work?

I feel that setting priorities is not difficult at all. I make sure that I do everything in the order that it is supposed to be.

27. How do you like to be managed?

While I do not mind being supervised, being micromanaged is not something I am too comfortable with.

28. What do you do when you see a coworker not handling something according to the protocol?

I make sure that I provide my two cents in the least condescending manner.

29. What should we know that is not on your resume?

I have provided all professional information on my resume. As far as personal information is concerned, I love cracking jokes to make things a bit easier for people around me, who are consistently working in a stressful environment.

30. What are you most passionate about?

I am very passionate about working in a position where I am of most help to people.

31. How does your family feel about the work that you do?

Since work sometimes affects my family life, my family is quite vocal about it. While they are proud of me for what I do, they worry that I stress too much at times.

32. What is the single most important thing to look out for when you are working as a dispatcher?

I believe that keeping your ears and mind tuned to the callers’ frequencies is extremely important.

33. What past experience helps you most in performing your work now?

I feel that my ability to handle emergency cases helps me immensely, as I understand priorities, and can work in accordance with protocols now.

34. How do you think this work will change over the next 10 years or so?

I opine that this job will not change much unless you are referring to the technology used in it.

35. What would you do differently if you could go back in time?

I would definitely take up the 3 training courses that I did not pay much attention to some years ago.

36. What would surprise people about your daily work?

People would be surprised to know that I actually bother to find out how responders reacted to emergency situations, by putting in extra time.

37. What is your biggest achievement as a public safety dispatcher?

My biggest achievement was saving the life of a kidnapped 12-year-old girl, who had gotten hold of a cell phone. I was with her on the phone, reassuring her, and nudging help towards her, until she was rescued.

38. If we decide to hire you, when can you join us?

I can join you right after my notice period ends, which is in 4 weeks’ time.

39. What are your plans for the next 5 years?

I want to work in a supervisor role, where I can provide insight into training and development.

40. Do you have any questions for us?

I would love to know the ratio of emergency and non-emergency calls that your facility receives in a day.