Training
Public Safety Telecommunicator Training
Per Florida Statute 401.465, beginning October 1, 2012, all Public Safety Telecommunicators in Florida will need to be certified. The certification process includes a 280 hour state approved training program followed by a state examination. The training program and examination must be completed within one year of employment.
As part of the training program, the PST Trainee Academy is three weeks of classroom training, followed by structured on-the-job training. Even after the certified training program is completed, daily evaluations will be written by an instructor for three to four months until a solo work status is achieved.
Once trained and able to work as a PST Trainee in a solo capacity, the PST Trainee will be assigned to complete training on the teletype and police service channels. During each training assignment, daily evaluations will be written by an instructor for up to four weeks until a solo work status is achieved.
Lastly the PST Trainee will be assigned to receive dispatch training. The Dispatch Academy is two weeks of classroom training, followed by structured on-the-job training. Daily evaluations will be written by an instructor for four to five months until a solo work status is achieved.