Penobscot Regional Communications Center PSAP/Dispatch
Penobscot County was incorporated in 1816 and the county seat is Bangor. The Penobscot River, Maine’s longest, runs through the county. It is one of Maine’s largest counties, covering over 3,250 square miles. The county borders Piscataquis County on the west and Washington and Hancock Counties on the east. Penobscot County has a population of 141,000 people.
The Penobscot Regional Communications Center is a Dispatch/Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) facility with enhanced 9-1-1 capability, operated on a 24-hour basis, assigned the responsibility of receiving 9-1-1 calls and, as appropriate, directly dispatching emergency services or, through transfer routing or relay routing, passing 9-1-1 calls to public or private safety agencies for the citizens of Penobscot County. It is also the PSAP for 72,000 people who reside in Aroostook County which is the most northern county in the State of Maine. Staffing at PRCC consists of one Executive Director, one Administrative Assistant, five Supervisors, 3 Senior Operators, and twenty Communication Operators.
Communication Operators are required to pass an oral board, criminal record check and polygraph before they are hired. They will then go through a Field Training Operator program which lasts anywhere from three to six months. Certifications that are mandated include: Emergency Medical Dispatch, Certified Terminal Operator, E911 Vesta training, and licensure by the Maine Emergency Medical Services. Each of these certifications and licenses must be renewed every two years which requires a minimum of 24 hours of specialized training.
Working in a PSAP/Dispatch Center is very fast paced and highly stressful. You must be able to multi-task and make split second decisions. PRCC handles approximately 800 calls a day, 1,000 EMD's a month and is responsible for approximately 4000 warrants in Penobscot County. Dispatchers are required to work shift work, weekends and on holidays. When disasters happen, Dispatchers are required to work when most people are with their families. Dispatchers are the first ones to be notified of problems and then dispatch the appropriate agencies to respond. They are the true "unsung heros" of public safety.
The Penobscot Regional Communications Center is a Dispatch/Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) facility with enhanced 9-1-1 capability, operated on a 24-hour basis, assigned the responsibility of receiving 9-1-1 calls and, as appropriate, directly dispatching emergency services or, through transfer routing or relay routing, passing 9-1-1 calls to public or private safety agencies for the citizens of Penobscot County. It is also the PSAP for 72,000 people who reside in Aroostook County which is the most northern county in the State of Maine. Staffing at PRCC consists of one Executive Director, one Administrative Assistant, five Supervisors, 3 Senior Operators, and twenty Communication Operators.
Communication Operators are required to pass an oral board, criminal record check and polygraph before they are hired. They will then go through a Field Training Operator program which lasts anywhere from three to six months. Certifications that are mandated include: Emergency Medical Dispatch, Certified Terminal Operator, E911 Vesta training, and licensure by the Maine Emergency Medical Services. Each of these certifications and licenses must be renewed every two years which requires a minimum of 24 hours of specialized training.
Working in a PSAP/Dispatch Center is very fast paced and highly stressful. You must be able to multi-task and make split second decisions. PRCC handles approximately 800 calls a day, 1,000 EMD's a month and is responsible for approximately 4000 warrants in Penobscot County. Dispatchers are required to work shift work, weekends and on holidays. When disasters happen, Dispatchers are required to work when most people are with their families. Dispatchers are the first ones to be notified of problems and then dispatch the appropriate agencies to respond. They are the true "unsung heros" of public safety.
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