Training: Program Overview – In-Service
The successes and positive reputation of Plano Public Safety Communications is due highly in part to our thorough training of all newly hired employees. The intent of the training program is to familiarize new PSC Recruits and Specialists with roles and responsibilities within the department, while teaching skills necessary to perform the job properly. We currently have two full-time Training Coordinators dedicated to instructing new recruits and keeping current employees sharp and updated within the ever-changing world of 9-1-1: Samantha Baumgartner, and Sheila Powell.
These Training Coordinators develop & implement technical training program for new & existing employees of the PSC Dept. This includes direction, scheduling & conducting of classroom & on-the job training. They participate in the development of classes, manuals, lesson plans, & other material. Instruction includes continuing education courses & annual in-service training. They monitor work of PSC Trainers, including written procedures to evaluate work & training requirements for daily evaluations. They make recommendations regarding successful completion of training & retention of trainees.
Personnel will complete approximately 224 hours of training before being released to answering phone calls, and up to 1,632 hours of experiential and certification training if fully cross-trained in Police, Fire and NCIC Operations. Training includes (but is certainly not limited to) Emergency Telecommunicator Certification, TCIC/NCIC Full Access, CPR Training, Emergency Medical Dispatcher certification, Geography Tours, Police and Fire ride-along, Suicide Intervention and Hostage Negotiation, as well as additional classroom and console training.