Police, Fire, and Ambulance Dispatchers
Operate radio, telephone, or computer equipment at emergency response centers. Receive reports from the public of crimes, disturbances, fires, and medical or police emergencies. Relay information to law enforcement and emergency response personnel. May maintain contact with caller until responders arrive.
AI Impact Summary
Police, Fire, and Ambulance Dispatchers faces moderate AI displacement risk with a score of 41/100. This occupation has higher AI displacement risk than 84% of all analyzed occupations. Of 18 analyzed tasks, 13 are highly automatable, particularly routine cognitive tasks. Strong protective factors — including social intelligence, creativity, or regulatory barriers — significantly reduce effective risk.
Skill Impact Analysis
AI-Vulnerable Skills (6)
High reliance on Information Ordering is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
High reliance on Reading Comprehension is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
High reliance on Memorization is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
Mathematics is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
Mathematics is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
Programming is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
AI-Resistant Skills (11)
Adaptability/Flexibility is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Social Perceptiveness is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Leadership is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Coordination is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Service Orientation is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Persuasion is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Complex Problem Solving is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Instructing is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
AI-Augmented Skills (7)
Recommended Courses
Courses matched to Police, Fire, and Ambulance Dispatchers skill gaps, ranked by relevance to your displacement risk profile.
Get personalized recommendations. Answer a few questions about your experience and skills to get course suggestions tailored specifically to you.
Upskill to Reduce Risk
Courses addressing your most AI-vulnerable skills
SQL Fundamentals Skill Track
by DataCamp
Estimated Impact
AI-Augmentation Tools
Learn to work alongside AI and boost your productivity
Google UX Design Professional Certificate
by Google
Estimated Impact
Strengthen Your Edge
Double down on skills AI can't replicate
Inspired Leadership Through Emotional Intelligence
by Case Western Reserve University
Estimated Impact
We may earn a commission when you enroll through our links, at no extra cost to you. This helps fund the Takeover Tracker.
Risk reduction and salary impact are estimates based on skill gap analysis, course relevance, and labor market data. Actual results vary by individual circumstance.
Education & Training
Percentage of workers at each education and training level
Education Level
Prior Experience Needed
Work experience required to enter this job
Training Provided After Hiring
How long it typically takes to learn on the job
How AI Impacts Each Task
18 tasks analyzed
Question callers to determine their locations, and the nature of their problems to determine type of response needed.
Determine response requirements and relative priorities of situations, and dispatch units in accordance with established procedures.
Record details of calls, dispatches, and messages.
Provide emergency medical instructions to callers.
Scan status charts and computer screens, and contact emergency response field units to determine emergency units available for dispatch.
Receive incoming telephone or alarm system calls regarding emergency and non-emergency police and fire service, emergency ambulance service, information, and after-hours calls for departments within a city.
Enter, update, and retrieve information from teletype networks and computerized data systems regarding such things as wanted persons, stolen property, vehicle registration, and stolen vehicles.
Relay information and messages to and from emergency sites, to law enforcement agencies, and to all other individuals or groups requiring notification.
Observe alarm registers and scan maps to determine whether a specific emergency is in the dispatch service area.
Maintain access to, and security of, highly sensitive materials.
Monitor various radio frequencies such as those used by public works departments, school security, and civil defense to keep apprised of developing situations.
Read and effectively interpret small-scale maps and information from a computer screen to determine locations and provide directions.
Operate and maintain mobile dispatch vehicles and equipment.
Maintain files of information relating to emergency calls, such as personnel rosters, and emergency call-out and pager files.
Learn material and pass required tests for certification.
Answer routine inquiries, and refer calls not requiring dispatches to appropriate departments and agencies.
Monitor alarm systems to detect emergencies, such as fires and illegal entry into establishments.
Test and adjust communication and alarm systems, and report malfunctions to maintenance units.
| Task | AI Capability | Risk | Time % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Question callers to determine their locations, and the nature of their problems to determine type of response needed. | 5Estimated | 17.0% | 15% | |
| Determine response requirements and relative priorities of situations, and dispatch units in accordance with established procedures. | 25Estimated | 37.0% | 12% | |
| Record details of calls, dispatches, and messages. | 92Estimated | 86.0% | 10% | |
| Provide emergency medical instructions to callers. | 50.45Observed | 35.2% | 8% | |
| Scan status charts and computer screens, and contact emergency response field units to determine emergency units available for dispatch. | 77Estimated | 80.0% | 6% | |
| Receive incoming telephone or alarm system calls regarding emergency and non-emergency police and fire service, emergency ambulance service, information, and after-hours calls for departments within a city. | 67Estimated | 76.0% | 8% | |
| Enter, update, and retrieve information from teletype networks and computerized data systems regarding such things as wanted persons, stolen property, vehicle registration, and stolen vehicles. | 92Estimated | 86.0% | 6% | |
| Relay information and messages to and from emergency sites, to law enforcement agencies, and to all other individuals or groups requiring notification. | 77Estimated | 80.0% | 6% | |
| Observe alarm registers and scan maps to determine whether a specific emergency is in the dispatch service area. | 92Estimated | 86.0% | 4% | |
| Maintain access to, and security of, highly sensitive materials. | 81.68Observed | 81.9% | 2% | |
| Monitor various radio frequencies such as those used by public works departments, school security, and civil defense to keep apprised of developing situations. | 87Estimated | 84.0% | 4% | |
| Read and effectively interpret small-scale maps and information from a computer screen to determine locations and provide directions. | 53.02Observed | 70.4% | 4% | |
| Operate and maintain mobile dispatch vehicles and equipment. | 40Estimated | 49.0% | 2% | |
| Maintain files of information relating to emergency calls, such as personnel rosters, and emergency call-out and pager files. | 92Estimated | 86.0% | 3% | |
| Learn material and pass required tests for certification. | 62Estimated | 74.0% | 2% | |
| Answer routine inquiries, and refer calls not requiring dispatches to appropriate departments and agencies. | 92Estimated | 86.0% | 4% | |
| Monitor alarm systems to detect emergencies, such as fires and illegal entry into establishments. | 92Estimated | 86.0% | 2% | |
| Test and adjust communication and alarm systems, and report malfunctions to maintenance units. | 45Estimated | 51.0% | 2% |
Protective Factors
Total protective discount: 33.2%
Essential Soft Skills
Traits that are hard for AI to replicate
Wage & Employment (2024)
Median Wage
$50,730
per year
Mean Wage
$54,800
per year
Employment
101K
workers
Wage Range
$35,640 - $78,110
10th - 90th pct
Wage Distribution
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Alternate Career Paths
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Gaming Surveillance Officers and Gaming Investigators
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Interviewers, Except Eligibility and Loan
46%Median salary: $43,830
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Reservation and Transportation Ticket Agents and Travel Clerks
46%Median salary: $41,460
Higher risk than 94% of other occupations
Radio Operators
48%Higher risk than 96% of other occupations
Medical Records and Health Information Technicians
48%Higher risk than 96% of other occupations
Dispatchers, Except Police, Fire, and Ambulance
53%Median salary: $48,880
Higher risk than 98% of other occupations
Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive
53%Median salary: $46,290
Higher risk than 99% of other occupations
Sales Managers
25%Higher risk than 20% of other occupations
Chief Executives
26%Higher risk than 23% of other occupations
General and Operations Managers
28%Higher risk than 29% of other occupations
Marketing Managers
30%Higher risk than 38% of other occupations
Advertising and Promotions Managers
31%Higher risk than 43% of other occupations
Computer and Information Systems Managers
31%Higher risk than 45% of other occupations
Recommendations
Skills to Develop
These skills are at risk from AI automation. Police, Fire, and Ambulance Dispatchers professionals should diversify beyond them.
- Information Ordering
High reliance on Information Ordering is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
- Reading Comprehension
High reliance on Reading Comprehension is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
- Memorization
High reliance on Memorization is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
- Mathematics
Mathematics is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
- Mathematics
Mathematics is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
Skills to Leverage
These human-centric skills remain difficult for AI to replicate. Double down here.
- Adaptability/Flexibility
Adaptability/Flexibility is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
- Social Perceptiveness
Social Perceptiveness is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
- Leadership
Leadership is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
- Coordination
Coordination is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
- Service Orientation
Service Orientation is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Tools to Adopt
AI can amplify these skills. Learn the tools that augment rather than replace your work.
- Critical Thinking
Critical Thinking will be enhanced by AI. Develop expertise in using AI tools for this skill to increase productivity.
- Monitoring
Monitoring will be enhanced by AI. Develop expertise in using AI tools for this skill to increase productivity.
- Judgment and Decision Making
Judgment and Decision Making will be enhanced by AI. Develop expertise in using AI tools for this skill to increase productivity.
- Active Learning
Active Learning will be enhanced by AI. Develop expertise in using AI tools for this skill to increase productivity.
- Writing
Writing will be enhanced by AI. Develop expertise in using AI tools for this skill to increase productivity.
Score History
Risk score over 2 scoring runs
overall change