Emergency Communications & Dispatch

Prepare students to receive, assess, prioritize, and communicate critical information while coordinating emergency response through hands-on learning in 911 communications and public safety dispatch.

This pathway is a part of the Public Safety Sector. The foundations course is approriate for all Public Safety and Law and Justice pathways.  

COURSES
CREDENTIALS
RESOURCES

Pathway at a Glance

Recommended Grades: 9–12
Program Length: 3–4 courses
Credential Opportunities: NECI Basic Telecommunicator, Basic Fire Communications Officer, Basic 911 Emergency Medical Dispatch + Multiple Certifications and Micro-Credentials
Student Organization: SkillsUSA
Work-Based Learning: 911 emergency communications centers, public safety answering points (PSAPs), law enforcement agencies, fire and EMS communications centers, emergency management agencies, and related public safety organizations.

Course 1 Introduction

  • Introduction to Law and Public Safety (ILPS)

Course 2 Core

  • Foundations of Emergency Communications & Dispatch (FECD)

Course 3 Extension

  • Advanced Emergency Communications and Dispatch (AECD)

Course 3+ Extension Options

  • Drones for Law & Public Safety (DLPS)
  • Foundations of Emergency Management & Homeland Security (FEMHS)
  • Foundations of Emergency Medical Services (FEMS)
  • Foundations of Fire Service (FSS)
  • Foundations of Law Enforcement (FLE)

Why This Pathway Is Designed This Way

The LAPSEN Emergency Communications & Dispatch Pathway was developed with input from 9-1-1 professionals, public safety leaders, and educators. Students begin with a broad foundation in law and public safety before developing the communication, decision-making, technology, and emergency response skills needed in a modern 9-1-1 center.

Unlike many public safety careers, emergency communications offers significant employment opportunities for students directly out of high school, including positions available to qualified 18-year-olds. For this reason, the pathway includes an Advanced Emergency Communications & Dispatch course that provides deeper training and additional industry credentialing to strengthen career readiness and employability.

Schools may also use extension courses to broaden students’ preparation through related areas of public safety, allowing students to either specialize for immediate employment or expand their knowledge across connected career fields.

Introduction Course 

Industry and advisory committees helped craft our approach to pathways. LAPSEN recommends a common introduction course across all law and public safety pathways. Our course model begins with Introduction to Law & Public Safety, which provides a broad foundation across the public safety pathways and helps students discover where their interests lie

Introduction to Law & Public Safety (ILPS)

Recommended introductory course

Introduction to Law & Public Safety gives students an exciting, hands-on introduction to the full range of public safety careers rather than focusing on a single profession. Students learn how law enforcement, fire, EMS, emergency communications, emergency management, security, corrections, and other disciplines work together while building practical skills through simulations, scenarios, and team-based activities. The course can incorporate CERT, Stop the Bleed, 9-1-1 communications, CPR/AED, FEMA training, and other credential opportunities, giving students meaningful accomplishments while they explore future pathways. Most importantly, students experience how modern public safety actually works and can make a more informed decision about which pathway they want to pursue next.

Standards & Course Guide | LAPSEN Lesson Plans | Course Resources

Core Course

The core course serves as the anchor of each pathway, providing students with the essential knowledge and skills of that profession. It goes beyond career exploration to cover the key concepts, practices, and hands-on competencies students need at an appropriate depth to build a strong foundation for advanced coursework and career preparation.

Foundations of Emergency Communications & Dispatch (FECD)

Recommended core course

Students are introduced to careers in 9-1-1 communications and public safety dispatch. Students develop skills in emergency call processing, crisis communication, radio and dispatch operations, and the technology used in modern 911 centers. Through hands-on scenarios, students learn how telecommunicators coordinate with law enforcement, fire, EMS, and other public safety agencies. NECI-aligned content and FEMA coursework support preparation for industry credentials and future careers.

Standards & Course Guide | LAPSEN Lesson Plans | Course Resources

Extention Courses

Extension courses build beyond the core by allowing students to develop deeper expertise within their pathway or gain complementary skills from related public safety fields. Guided by industry needs, these courses provide a broader, more complete education and help students understand how different public safety professions work together. This flexibility allows schools to design advanced coursework that best supports student interests, local workforce needs, and career goals.

Advanced Emergency Communications & Dispatch (AECD)

Recommended extension course

Students are prepareed for advanced responsibilities in 9-1-1 communications and public safety dispatch. Students develop skills in fire and EMS communications, crisis call handling, emergency call interrogation, radio operations, pre-arrival instructions, and multi-agency coordination. Through realistic scenarios and simulations, students learn to manage complex and high-risk incidents while strengthening critical thinking, professionalism, and performance under pressure. The course also introduces TERT concepts for supporting emergency communications during major incidents and disasters..

Standards & Course Guide | LAPSEN Lesson Plans | Course Resources

Recommended extension courses beyond third course:

Drones for Law & Public Safety (DLPS) – learn more
Foundations of Emergency Management & Homeland Security (FEMHS) – learn more
Foundations of Emergency Medical Services (FEMS) – learn more
Foundations of Fire Service (FSS) – learn more
Foundations of Law Enforcement (FLE) – learn more 

Credentials & Certifications

Credentials matter because they give students a meaningful way to demonstrate their knowledge and skills beyond the classroom. LAPSEN works closely with industry partners, professional organizations, subject-matter experts, and educators to identify and support respected certifications and credentials that align with each pathway. Whether offered by LAPSEN or one of our partner organizations, we take credential quality and industry relevance seriously so students earn recognition that supports their next step in education or a career.

Explore our Credentials & Certifications page to learn more about industry-recognized credentials, certification opportunities, and LAPSEN’s credentialing partners.

Tier 1

These credentials require limited training — usually less than 5 hours — and focus on a specific set of skills. While valuable for building a foundation, these skills alone are not enough to secure employment. These are the lowest tier of credentials. Review the full microcredentials list.

LAPSEN Microcrenentials Basic ECD Set

Pending

Tier 2

Requiring 5 to 40 hours of training, these credentials combine multiple skills and demonstrate a student’s commitment to an area of learning. While they do not directly guarantee a job, they represent a significant step toward workforce readiness. Review more about Certifications.

    • FEMA IS 100
    • FEMA IS 200
    • FEMA IS 700
    • FEMA IS 800
    • FEMA IS 242
    • Railroad Emergency Dispatch Certification

    • Bomb Threat Calls

    • Domestic Violence Calls

    • Hazmat Calls 

    • Suicide Calls

    • CPR

    • IS 144- TERT

Tier 3

The highest level, these credentials reflect mastery in a specialized area, based on extensive training. They may be knowledge-based, skill-based, or a combination of both, and are often endorsed by national industry professional organizations. These credentials carry strong recognition with employers. Learn more about IRCs.

  • Primary – NECI Basic Telecommunicator
  • NECI-Crimes in Progress
  • NECI- Liability and Legal Issues in 9-1-1
  • NECI- Stress Management in 9-1-1
  • NECI- TDD Calls
  • Basic Fire Communications Officer
  • Basic 911 Emergency Medical Dispatch

National Basic 9-1-1 Dispatch Certification

LAPSEN has collaborated with NECI 9-1-1 to offer national credentials in emergency dispatch to LPS students. The NECI 9-1-1 Dispatcher certification is recognized by dozens of states & hosts of agencies.

This certification meets the following national 9-1-1 standards:

  • APCO ANSI National Public Safety 9-1-1 Training Standard
  • NENA 56-004 – TTY/TDD Call Handling Standard
  • NENA 56-005 – NENA Call Answering Standard
  • NFPA 1061

The NECI certification satiates all Perkins legislative requirements for Industry Recognized Credentials. Learn more about the certification – Click Here

Resources

Textbooks

NECI has a student manual for the course. It matches the content perfectly. A digital copy is available at no cost to all certified instructors. It is located in the Instructor Materials page. Schools may also purchase physical copies.

Student Manual: Email admin@neci911.com to order.

Student Recognition

Your students can be members of the National Technical Honors Society PLUS a special endorsement for achievement in law and public safety! Don’t have an NTHS – they are super easy to start and no extra work. 

Click Here to learn more. 

Training 

Instructors in the ECD pathway need to have industry experience or training. If you have a specific training need email info@lapsen.org   

Click Here to go to our Training Schedule

Career Posters

LAPSEN designed several career posters for instructors to download and print for their classrooms. 

Click Here to go to download folder

Programs of Excellence

The national Industry Credentialed Program of Excellence (ICPE) is designed to make the best better. Applicant programs must demonstrate competencies across several standards. LAPSEN specialists assist applicant programs throughout the process with training, guides and mentorship.

Click Here to learn more. Do YOU have the BEST program?

Program Directory

The National Census of Youth Law Enforcement Programs was funded by the DOJ COPS grant program. 

Search the directory for Law & Public Safety programs near you – Click Here

Is your program is in the directory? If not: Click Here  

Great Links

911.gov – the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s Office of Emergency Medical Services 911 website: Click Here

911 Operator the Game – word on the street is this game is great. Need console to play but no internet required: Click Here

APCO – The Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials: Click Here 

NENA– the 9-1-1 Association improves 9-1-1 through research, standards development, training, education, outreach, and advocacy: Click Here

Competitions

The ECD pathway national CTSO is SkillsUSA. There is not an ECD competition per se – but there are several competitions that students can choose from to participate in that support the ECD pathway content. 

For more information visit www.skillsusa.org/competitions or reach out to info@lapsen.org 

EMT

Student teams of two demonstrate knowledge and skills necessary to be EMTs. There is a knowledge test and several skill demonstrations plus emergency medical scenarios.

Commercial sUAS Drone

This competition for a team of 2 is designed to evaluate team members’ skills in the safe and efficient use of drone technology

Criminal Justice

This competition is a single competitor preparing to be officers or to work in other areas of criminal justice.

v

Customer Service

The competition evaluates students’ proficiency in providing customer service. This is one of the highest valued skills sets sought by DC employers. 

Job Skill Demonstration - 3 Competitions

Competitors demonstrate and explain an entry-level skill used in the occupational area for which they are training. “A” refers to skills taught in the pathway. “Open” is usually a skill learned in WBL or similar that is outside the pathway. “Action Skills” is for students with IEPs. In all cases, the skill should be hands on as it is a “demonstration.” 

First Aid - CPR

Basic DC skill for a single competitor. Evaluates a competitor’s ability to perform procedures or take appropriate action based on scenarios presented related to CPR first aid medical emergencies. There is also a written exam.

There are dozens more that cover everything from speeches to specifc skill sets. 

National Pathway Director

Liz Everidge

Liz has extensive PSAP experience. She is also our lead trainer in 911. 

Click Here for her Linkedin

Email: 911@lapsen.org 

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