7.31.23 – KOCO
Metro Tech students interested in law enforcement will now learn what it takes to be a dispatcher from the very best
The new 911 call center for Oklahoma County will double as a classroom. Metro Tech students interested in law enforcement will now learn what it takes to be a dispatcher from the very best: dispatchers in action. “It’s stressful because lives literally hang on every decision that you’re making.
As a result of that, oftentimes it’s difficult to find that right person,” said Aaron Brilbeck, Oklahoma County Sheriff’s Office public information officer.
The stress has left Oklahoma County low on 911 dispatchers. From a 2019 bond, Metro Tech has built an $18M public safety academy on their South Bryant campus.
“The cost value for the community is we did not have to build a call system training center just to do training,” said Aaron Collins, superintendent and CEO of Metro Technologies Center.
Equipped with a gun range, simulation lab and Oklahoma County’s new 911 call center, students will receive the field training it takes to be on the other side of those lifesaving calls.
“Anyone who goes through CLEET certification or basic police officer certification will go through that 911 call center module,” Collins said.
It was built to withstand a disaster.
“With Metro Tech doing this, it gives students the opportunity to learn exactly how to do it, exactly what the expectations are, to look over the shoulders of dispatchers as they’re really working and see if this is really for them,” Brilbeck said.
The new 911 dispatch center also doubles as a safe room.
Students will start class in two weeks and dispatchers will arrive in two months. The sheriff’s office said they’re ready to welcome those eager to answer the call.
“It takes the exact right person to do the job. You’ve got to have passion for it,” Brilbeck said.