911 Dispatch Academy

OCC Dispatch Academy

Michigan’s only 911 Dispatch Academy introduces the necessary skills and knowledge to work in a public safety communications center in a productive and professional manner. The 911 Dispatch Academy includes state mandated Modules I, II and Continuing Education courses, and is an entry-level training program for dispatchers employed by public safety agencies or any individual seeking employment as a 911 professional. The program prepares each student for the basic roles, responsibilities and duties of a public safety dispatcher. It allows public safety agencies the opportunity for their new employee to acquire the needed classroom training within a four-week period, Monday-Friday. The program is designed for use in conjunction with a departmental CTO program and does not replace such a program.

Unique to the academy concept, our classes are blended with experienced 911 professionals, who are attending individual classes for continuing education. This provides opportunity for networking and experience sharing during training with the veteran dispatchers.

Attendees who complete this program will earn a 911 Dispatch Academy Certificate from the Oakland Police Academy. This certification includes the total 152 hours of training. Each class will also issue individual certificates. The program includes twenty-four hours of 911 Dispatch Simulation Training, which will provide hands-on experience with both a generic CAD and radio interoperability, and 4 hours of scenario-based training with the Oakland Police Academy. 

911 Dispatch Certification Hours
Basic 40 Hour Telecommunicator Courses 40
Michigan Criminal Law Intro – Court Proceedings Observation 8
Fire Communications – 2 Day 16
Homeland Security 8
Stress Management 8
Customer Service for 911 Professionals 8
Understanding Domestic Violence 8
911 Ethics and Liability 8
Interview Skills for a 911 Career (pre-employment Academy students only) 4
CPR/AED 4
911 Dispatch Simulation Training 24
Handling the Despondent and Suicidal Caller 8
Scenario Dispatching 4
Mapping Skills 4

May Course Details:

Orientation: Mandatory – must attend one of the following dates, unless sponsored by an agency:

  • Tuesday, March 14, 2023 at 6:30 pm
  • Thursday, March 16, 2023 at 6:30 pm

November Course Details

Questions: 911training@oaklandcc.edu

Orientation: Mandatory – must attend one of the following dates, unless sponsored by an agency:

  • Wednesday, September 13, 2023 at 6:30 pm
  • Thursday, September 14, 2023 at 6:30 pm


**The Course is SNC Approved (SNC #OCC201906A)**