Ionia County Central Dispatch employs 11 dispatchers. It takes a very special person to be able to provide emergency response to the community. The following is a listing of qualifications for each and every employee of Ionia County Central Dispatch:

• Minimum of a high school diploma.
• Pass a comprehensive background investigation.
• Complete and pass an aptitude test designed for dispatchers.
• Oral interview.
• Law Enforcement Information Network certification (LEIN). 
• Recertification for LEIN required every 2 years.
• Emergency Medical Dispatch (EMD) certification.
• Continuing EMD education (2 year recertification).
• CPR certification.
• Utilize a variety of radio systems (800Mhz, VHF, UHF).
• Utilize a variety of office software (word, excel, email).
• Communicate clearly and concisely.
• Remain calm in multiple stressful situations.
• Prioritize seriousness of situations.
• Available for shift work.
• Computer Aided Dispatch training (CAD).

In addition to the above, dispatchers must work scheduled holidays and weekends.  Ionia County Central Dispatch is a 24 hour, 7 days a week, 365 days a year operation.

Our dispatchers are evaluated on a monthly basis for compliance with policy and procedures of Ionia County Central Dispatch and must obtain consistent, superior scores.