Analyze Projected Job Growth
in Public Safety
• Police and Detective Job Outlook
• Police, Fire and Ambulance Dispatchers Job
Outlook
• Firefighters Job Outlook
• EMTs and Paramedics Job Outlook
• Correctional Officers Job Outlook
• Emergency Management Specialists Job Outlook
• Emergency Management Directors Job Outlook
• Public and private pay levels: a comparison in
large labor markets
Police and Detectives
A Brief Overview
SWHS Public Safety Program
Police and Detectives
What Do They Do?
• Detectives and criminal investigators typically
do the following::
– Investigate crimes
– Collect evidence of crimes
– Conduct interviews with suspects and witnesses
– Observe the activities of suspects
– Arrest suspects
– Write detailed reports and fill out forms
– Prepare cases and testify in court
SWHS Public Safety Program
Police and Detectives
What Do They Do?
• Uniformed officers:
– Enforce laws
– Respond to calls for service
– Patrol assigned areas
– Conduct traffic stops and issue citations
– Arrest suspects
– Write detailed reports and fill out forms
– Prepare cases and testify in court
SWHS Public Safety Program
Police and Detectives
What Do They Do?
• Uniformed police officers have general law
enforcement duties.
• They wear uniforms that allow the public to
easily recognize them as police officers.
• They have regular patrols and also respond to
calls for service.
• Police agencies are usually organized into
geographic districts, with uniformed officers
assigned to patrol a specific area.
SWHS Public Safety Program
Police and Detectives
What Do They Do?
• Officers in large agencies often patrol with a
partner.
• During patrols, officers look for any signs of
criminal activity and may conduct searches or
arrest suspected criminals.
• They may also respond to emergency calls,
investigate complaints, and enforce traffic
laws.
SWHS Public Safety Program
Police and Detectives
What Do They Do?
• Some police officers work only on a specific type
of crime, such as narcotics.
• Officers, especially those working in large
departments, may also work in special units, such
as horseback, motorcycle, and canine corps or
special weapons and tactics (SWAT) teams.
• Typically, officers must work as patrol officers for
a certain number of years before they may be
appointed to one of these units.
SWHS Public Safety Program
Police and Detectives
What Do They Do?
• Many city police agencies are involved in
community policing, a philosophy of bringing
police and members of the community together to
prevent crime.
• A neighborhood watch program is one type of
community policing.
• Some agencies have special geographic and
enforcement responsibilities.
• Examples include public college and university
police forces, public school district police, and
transit police.
SWHS Public Safety Program
State Police Officers
• Called state troopers or highway patrol officers, have
many of the same duties as other police officers.
• They may spend more time enforcing traffic laws
and issuing traffic citations.
• State police officers have authority to work
anywhere in the state and are frequently called on
to help other law enforcement agencies, especially
those in rural areas or small towns.
• State highway patrols operate in every state except
Hawaii.
SWHS Public Safety Program
Transit and Railroad Police
• Transit and Railroad Police patrol railroad
yards and transit stations.
• They protect property, employees, and
passengers from crimes such as thefts and
robberies.
• They remove trespassers from railroad and
transit properties and check the IDs of
people who try to enter secure areas.
SWHS Public Safety Program
Sheriffs and Deputy Sheriffs
• Sheriffs and deputy sheriffs enforce the law on
the county level.
• Sheriffs’ departments tend to be relatively
small.
• Sheriffs usually are elected by the public and
do the same work as a local or county police
chief.
SWHS Public Safety Program
Sheriffs and Deputy Sheriffs
• Some sheriffs’ departments do the same
work as officers in urban police departments.
• Police and sheriffs’ deputies who provide
security in city and county courts are
sometimes called bailiffs.
SWHS Public Safety Program
Detectives and Criminal Investigators
• Detectives and criminal investigators are
plainclothes investigators who gather facts and
collect evidence for criminal cases.
• They conduct interviews, examine records, observe
the activities of suspects, and participate in raids or
arrests.
• Detectives usually specialize in investigating one
type of crime, such as homicide or fraud.
• Detectives are typically assigned cases on a rotating
basis and work on them until an arrest and
conviction is made or until the case is dropped.
SWHS Public Safety Program
Fish and Game Wardens
• Fish and game wardens enforce fishing,
hunting, and boating laws.
• They patrol hunting and fishing areas,
conduct search and rescue operations,
investigate complaints and accidents, and
educate the public about laws pertaining to
their environment.
SWHS Public Safety Program
Federal Law Enforcement
• Federal law enforcement officials carry out many
of the same duties that other police officers do;
however, they have jurisdiction over the entire
country.
• Many federal agents are highly specialized.
• The following are examples of federal agencies in
which officers and agents enforce particular
types of laws:
– U.S. Border patrol agents protect international land
and water boundaries.
SWHS Public Safety Program
Federal Law Enforcement
• Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) agents are the
federal government's principal investigators,
responsible for enforcing more than 300 federal
statutes and conducting sensitive national security
investigations.
• U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) agents
enforce laws and regulations relating to illegal drugs.
• U.S. Secret Service uniformed officers protect the
President, the Vice President, their immediate
families, and other public officials.
• Federal Air Marshals provide air security by guarding
against attacks targeting U.S. aircraft, passengers,
and crews.
SWHS Public Safety Program
Police and Detectives
Pay
• The median annual wage for police and
detectives was $56,980 in May 2012.
• The median wage is the wage at which half
the workers in an occupation earned more
than that amount and half earned less.
• The lowest 10 percent earned less than
$33,060, and the top 10 percent earned more
than $93,450.
SWHS Public Safety Program
Police and Detectives
Pay
• The median wages for police and detective
occupations in May 2012 were as follows:
• $74,300 for detectives and criminal
investigators
• $55,270 for police and sheriff’s patrol officers
• $55,210 for transit and railroad police
• $48,070 for fish and game wardens
SWHS Public Safety Program
Occupational Title
Employment, 2012
Projected
Employment, 2022
% Change, 2012-22
Police and
Detectives
780,000
821,300
5
Detectives and
Criminal
Investigators
115,200
117,500
2
Fish and Game
Wardens
6,600
6,700
1
Police and Sheriff’s
Patrol Officers
653,800
692,700
6
Transit and Railroad
Police
4,300
4,400
3
SWHS Public Safety Program
Police, Fire, and Ambulance
Dispatchers
Police, Fire, and Ambulance
Dispatchers
• Police, fire, and ambulance dispatchers, also
called 9-1-1 operators or public safety
telecommunicators, answer emergency and
non-emergency calls.
• They take information from the caller and
send the appropriate type and number of
units.
Police, Fire, and Ambulance
Dispatchers
• Duties
– Answer 9-1-1 telephone calls
– Determine, from the caller, the type of emergency
and its location
– Decide the appropriate emergency response based
on agency policies and procedures
– Relay information to the appropriate emergency or
non-emergency service agency or agencies
Police, Fire, and Ambulance
Dispatchers
• Duties
– Coordinate sending emergency response personnel
– Give over-the-phone medical help and other
instructions before emergency personnel get to the
scene
– Monitor and track the status of police, fire, and
ambulance units on assignment
– Synchronize responses with other area
communication centers
– Keep detailed records about calls
Police, Fire, and Ambulance
Dispatchers
• Dispatchers answer calls for service when
someone needs help from police, fire fighters,
emergency services, or a combination of the
three. They take both emergency and nonemergency calls.
• Dispatchers must stay calm while collecting vital
information.
• Some dispatchers only take calls. Others only use
radios to send appropriate personnel. Many
dispatchers do both tasks.
Police, Fire, and Ambulance
Dispatchers
• Dispatchers keep detailed records about the calls
that they take.
• They may use a computer system to log
important facts, such as the name and location
of the caller.
• They may also use crime databases, maps, and
weather reports, when helping emergency
response teams. Dispatchers may monitor alarm
systems, alerting law enforcement or fire
personnel when a crime or fire occurs.
Police, Fire, and Ambulance
Dispatchers
• In some situations, dispatchers must work with
people in other jurisdictions to share information or
to transfer calls.
• Dispatchers may monitor alarm systems, alerting law
enforcement or fire personnel when a crime or fire
occurs.
• Dispatchers must often give instructions on what to
do before responders arrive. Some dispatchers are
trained to give medical help over the phone, For
example, they might help someone give first aid until
emergency medical services get to the scene.
How to Become a Police, Fire, or
Ambulance Dispatcher
• Most police, fire, and ambulance dispatchers
have a high school diploma or GED. Additional
requirements vary. Many states require
dispatchers to become certified.
• The typical entry-level education is a high school
diploma or a GED. However, some employers may
not specify any educational requirements. Others
prefer to hire dispatchers who have a related 2or 4-year degree in a subject such as criminal
justice, computer science, or communications.
How to Become a Police, Fire, or
Ambulance Dispatcher
• Most dispatcher jobs require an applicant to
complete an interview as well as to pass a written
exam and a typing test. In addition, applicants may
need to pass a background check, lie detector and
drug tests, as well as tests for hearing and vision.
• Most states require a dispatcher to be a U.S. citizen,
and some jobs require a driver’s license. Both
computer skills and customer service skills can be
helpful, as is the ability to speak a second language.
How to Become a Police, Fire, or
Ambulance Dispatcher
• Training requirements vary by state. Some
states require dispatchers to be certified.
• Several states require 40 hours or more of
initial training. Some require continuing
education every 2 to 3 years. Other states
do not mandate any specific training,
leaving individual agencies to conduct their
own courses.
How to Become a Police, Fire, or
Ambulance Dispatcher
• Some agencies have their own programs for
certifying dispatchers; others use training from
a professional association. The Association of
Public-Safety Communications Officials
(APCO), the National Emergency Number
Association (NENA), and the National
Academies of Emergency Dispatch (NAED)
have established a number of recommended
standards and best practices that agencies
may use as a guideline for their own training
programs.
How to Become a Police, Fire, or
Ambulance Dispatcher
• Training is usually conducted in both a
classroom setting and on the job, and is
often followed by a probationary period of
about 1 year.
• Training covers a wide variety of topics,
such as local geography, agency protocols,
and standard procedures. Dispatchers are
also taught how to use specialized
equipment, such as a 2-way radio and
computer-aided dispatch (CAD) software.
How to Become a Police, Fire, or
Ambulance Dispatcher
• They receive training to prepare for specific
types of incidents, such as a child abduction or
a suicidal caller. Some dispatchers receive
emergency medical dispatcher (EMD) training,
which enables them to give medical assistance
over the phone.
• Dispatchers may choose to pursue additional
certifications, such as NENA’s emergency
number professional (ENP) or APCO’s
Registered Public-Safety Leader (RPL) to prove
their leadership skills and knowledge of the
profession.
Police, Fire, and Ambulance
Dispatchers
• Important Qualities:
– Ability to multitask. Responding to an emergency over
the phone can be stressful. Dispatchers must stay
calm to simultaneously answer calls, collect vital
information, coordinate responders, and assist callers.
– Empathy. People who call 9-1-1 are often in distress.
Dispatchers must be willing and able to help callers
with a wide variety of needs. They must be calm,
polite, and sympathetic, while also quickly getting
information.
Police, Fire, and Ambulance
Dispatchers
• Important Qualities:
– Leadership skills. Dispatchers work with law
enforcement, emergency response teams, and civilians in
emergency situations. They must be able to efficiently
communicate the nature of the emergency
– Listening skills. When answering an emergency call or
handling radio communications, a dispatcher must listen
carefully. Dispatchers must be able to record the call
accurately.
– Problem-solving skills. They must be able to quickly
determine the appropriate action when people call for
help.
Police, Fire, and Ambulance
Dispatchers
• Police, fire, and ambulance
dispatchers work in a
communication center, often
called a Public Safety
Answering Point (PSAP).
• Police, fire, and ambulance
dispatchers held about
100,100 jobs in 2010.
• They work in a
communication center, often
called a Public Safety
Answering Point (PSAP).
Police, Fire, and Ambulance
Dispatchers
• CAD (Computer Aided Dispatch) typically consists of a
suite of software packages used to initiate public safety
calls for service, dispatch, and maintain the status of
responding resources in the field.
• It is generally used by emergency communications
dispatchers, call-takers, and 911 operators in
centralized, public-safety call centers, as well as by field
personnel utilizing mobile data terminals (MDTs) or
mobile data computers (MDCs).
Police, Fire, and Ambulance
Dispatchers
• The design, development, purchase and
installation of CAD systems can be a complicated
endeavor for a medium or large-size public safety
agency.
• It involves connection to a wide variety of other
systems: alarm inputs, mobile data systems, time
synchronization sources, records management
systems, CAD systems of other agencies, and the
local, county, state and federal network of
criminal justice.
Police, Fire, and Ambulance
Dispatchers
• CAD programs have essential elements or components
that support the dispatcher's work:
– Incident information - This is a database of the incident data,
usually obtained from a telephone caller, and including the
location (house number and street name, commonplace
name, intersection), caller info, and other information
gathered by the dispatcher.
– CAD typically compares the location to previous entries, and
then displays an alert if the new incident is related to a
existing incident record, based both on the proximity of
current incidents, and address matches on previous
incidents.
Police, Fire, and Ambulance
Dispatchers
• E911 interface - The CAD computer is
electronically connected to the 911 system, so that
the caller's telephone number and address
information (ANI/ALI) are displayed on-screen, and
automatically transferred to the appropriate fields
of the CAD incident entry form.
• Location verification - Once the incident locations
automatically entered from 911 or manually typed
in, the CAD software matches it against the geofile
created by the agency when the software was first
installed.
Police, Fire, and Ambulance
Dispatchers
• The geofile is a database of standardized
locations, including specific house numbers
and streets names, commonplace names
(Jackson Park), and intersections. The geofile
insures that locations are within the
jurisdiction, within a valid block number range,
and are consistently entered and entered
(which assists in later searches).
Police, Fire, and Ambulance
Dispatchers
• Incident display - Once an incident is entered,
CAD can display a list of the pending, current
and past incidents, according to the
dispatcher's assignment (telephones, radio,
Beat 3, fire-police-EMS, special) and
preference. Incidents are usually sorted by
date, time and priority, but also by location,
type of incident or other criteria, to make
evaluation of the incidents quicker and easier.
Police, Fire, and Ambulance
Dispatchers
• Unit display - CAD has a database of personnel and
field units, which is used to display a list of active
units. This database includes the unit ID, assigned
personnel, special capabilities (K-9, SWAT, etc.).
The database is linked to the incident database,
allowing the dispatcher to display unit status: inservice, out-of-service, etc. Using commands or
on-screen buttons, the dispatcher can change a
unit's status or assign it to incidents.
Police, Fire, and Ambulance
Dispatchers
• Incident dispatch - With information about incidents
and units, the dispatcher can link an incident to one or
more field units, which essentially assigns the units to
the incident. Most CAD software will provide a
recommendation of which units should respond, based
on pre-determined tables or a unit's actual location
from an AVL sub-system. Based on pre-determined
tables, CAD also takes into account the type of incident
(high danger, low danger), and type of unit (patrol,
supervisor, canine, etc.) when making the
recommendation.
Police, Fire, and Ambulance
Dispatchers
• Timestamping - whenever the dispatcher takes
an action (enter a new incident, dispatch a
unit, unit arrives on-scene, etc.), the computer
records that time and links it to the incident
and unit records for later review
• Special features - Some CAD software is
focused on EMS or fire operations, and have
standing order or jump crew capabilities.
Police, Fire, and Ambulance
Dispatchers
• Report generation - to help analyze incident and unit
activity, CAD allows production of reports listing all types
of information, by ranges of date and time, and sorted by
various fields.
• External links - The CAD computer and software can be
linked to other computer systems, including the agency's
E911 system (to automatically fill in the caller's name,
address and telephone number), local-county-state-federal
law enforcement databases (NCIC, warrants, vehicle
registration, driver's license, stolen vehicle and property,
etc.), master clock synchronization, radio systems (to show
last unit that broadcast, or unit that pressed "emergency"
button), mobile data, records management, paging, etc.
Police, Fire, and Ambulance
Dispatchers
• Mapping - Many modern comm centers have
installed computer mapping systems to assist
them in handling Phase II E911 calls. These
mapping systems can also be interfaced with the
CAD geofile to display units and incident
locations.
• Maintenance - The software allows the system
administrator to create and edit the various
support files, and to make data back-ups of the
various files.
Police, Fire, and Ambulance
Dispatchers
• Security - CAD information is generally considered
confidential for investigative reasons, for the privacy
of victims and witnesses, and in some cases to
comply with state laws (juveniles, etc.). The software
provides a flexible method of assigning security
levels for all the various types of information, the
various CAD functions, and all users. This allows an
administrator to very specifically assign access
permissions to every user, limiting them to just what
functions they are allowed to perform, and what
information they are allowed to see.
Police, Fire, and Ambulance
Dispatchers
• Security - CAD information is generally considered
confidential for investigative reasons, for the privacy
of victims and witnesses, and in some cases to
comply with state laws (juveniles, etc.). The software
provides a flexible method of assigning security
levels for all the various types of information, the
various CAD functions, and all users. This allows an
administrator to very specifically assign access
permissions to every user, limiting them to just what
functions they are allowed to perform, and what
information they are allowed to see.
Police, Fire, and Ambulance
Dispatchers
• Most dispatchers work for local governments,
but some work for state governments or for
private companies. They are largely employed
by law enforcement agencies and fire
departments.
• Most dispatchers work 8- to 12-hour shifts, but
some agencies choose to use 24-hour shifts.
Police, Fire, and Ambulance
Dispatchers
• Dispatchers often have to work weekends,
holidays, and overtime, as emergency calls can
come in at any time.
• Work as a dispatcher can be stressful.
Dispatchers may have to work long hours, take
many calls, and deal with troubling situations.
Some calls may be distressing, and the
pressure to respond to emergency situations
quickly can be demanding.
Police, Fire, and Ambulance
Dispatchers Pay
• The median annual wage of police, fire, and
ambulance dispatchers was $35,370 in May
2010. The median wage is the wage at which
half the workers in an occupation earned more
than that amount, and half earned less. The
lowest 10 percent earned $22,310, and the top
10 percent earned more than $54,350.
Police, Fire, and Ambulance Dispatchers
Job Outlook
• Employment of police, fire, and ambulance
dispatchers is expected to grow by 12 percent
from 2010 to 2020, about as fast as average for
all occupations.
• A larger and older population is likely to mean
more emergency calls; and, therefore, a need
for more dispatchers.
• The prevalence of cellular phones has
increased the number of calls that dispatchers
receive
Firefighters
Job Outlook
Firefighters
• Firefighters protect the public by responding to
fires and other emergencies. They are frequently
the first emergency personnel on the scene of an
accident.
• Firefighters typically do the following:
– Drive fire trucks and other emergency vehicles to
emergencies
– Put out fires using hoses and pumps
– Find and rescue victims in burning buildings or in
other emergency conditions
Firefighters
• Firefighters typically do the following:
– Treat victims’ injuries with emergency medical
services
– Prepare written reports on fire or emergency
incidents
– Clean and maintain equipment
– Conduct drills and training in fire fighting
techniques
– Provide public education on fire safety
Firefighters
• When responding to an emergency,
firefighters do tasks assigned by a superior
officer. They might be responsible for
connecting hoses to hydrants, operating
pumps to power the hoses, climbing ladders,
or using tools to break through debris. Other
firefighters might be responsible for providing
medical attention.
• Most calls firefighters respond to are medical,
not fire, emergencies
Firefighters
Work Environment
• Volunteer firefighters have the same duties
as paid firefighters and account for the
majority of firefighters in many areas.
• According to the National Fire Protection
Association, about 70 percent of fire
departments were staffed entirely by
volunteer firefighters in 2008.
Firefighters
• Firefighters’ duties may change several times
while they are at the scene of an emergency.
In some cases, they might remain at disaster
scenes for days, rescuing trapped survivors
and assisting with medical treatment.
• Firefighters may specialize in responding to
forest fires or hazardous materials incidents.
Firefighters
Work Environment
• Firefighters held about 310,400 jobs in 2010.
• About 91 percent of paid firefighters worked
for local governments in 2010. Most of the
remainder worked for federal or state
governments. Firefighters also work at
airports, chemical plants, and other industrial
sites. They work in both cities and rural areas.
• These employment numbers include only paid
career fire fighters. They do not cover
volunteer fire fighters.
Firefighters
Work Schedules
• Firefighters typically work long and varied
hours, often about 50 hours a week. Most
firefighters work 24-hour shifts on duty and
are off the following 48 or 72 hours.
• Others work 10-hour day shifts for 3 to 4
days, followed by 14-hour night shifts for 3 to
4 nights before receiving 3 to 4 days off.
Additional hours may be required when
responding to a fire or medical emergency.
How to Become a Firefighter
• Applicants for firefighter jobs typically must
be at least 18 (21 in some areas) years old
and have a valid driver’s license.
• They must also pass a medical exam and
drug screening to be hired. After being
hired, firefighters may be monitored on a
random basis for drug use.
Firefighters
Education
• Most firefighters enter the occupation with
postsecondary education, typically a
postsecondary non-degree award fire
science or a related discipline.
• There are also associate’s degree programs
available. In many jurisdictions, however, the
entry-level education needed to become a
firefighter is a high school diploma or
equivalent
Firefighter’s Pay
• The median annual wage for firefighters was
$45,250 in May 2012.
• The median wage is the wage at which half
the workers in an occupation earned more
than that amount and half earned less.
• The lowest 10 percent earned less than
$22,030, and the top 10 percent earned more
than $79,150.
Firefighters Job Outlook
• Employment of firefighters is projected to grow
7 percent from 2012 to 2022, slower than the
average for all occupations.
• The aging of the population will lead to an
increased demand for emergency responders
as the elderly tend to use more emergency
medical services.
• Currently, about 2 of out 3 situations that
firefighters respond to are medical—rather
than fire—emergencies.
Firefighters Job Outlook
• In addition, jobs will be created as volunteer
firefighters are converted to paid positions in
areas where population growth creates the
need for a full-time workforce.
• An increase in urban populations, where fulltime firefighters are more common, also is
expected to increase the demand for
firefighters.
EMTs and Paramedics
Job Outlook
EMTs and Paramedics
• Emergency medical technicians (EMTs) and
paramedics care for the sick or injured in
emergency medical settings.
• People’s lives often depend on their quick
reaction and competent care.
• EMTs and paramedics respond to emergency
calls, performing medical services and
transporting patients to medical facilities.
EMTs and Paramedics Typical Duties
• Respond to 911 calls for emergency medical
assistance, such as cardiopulmonary
resuscitation (CPR) or bandaging a wound
• Assess a patient’s condition and determine a
course of treatment
• Follow guidelines learned in training or
received from physicians who oversee their
work
• Use backboards and restraints to keep patients
still and safe in an ambulance during transport
EMTs and Paramedics Typical Duties
• Help transfer patients to the emergency
department of a healthcare facility and
report their observations and treatment to
the staff
• Create a patient care report, documenting
the medical care given to the patient
• Replace used supplies and check or clean
equipment after use
EMT Basic
• Designed to train individuals to become
emergency medical personnel in basic life support
techniques including airway management and
CPR; hemorrhage control; oxygen administration;
shock; bandaging and splinting; skull, spine, and
chest injuries; child birthing; exposure to cold and
heat; and transferring patients to medical
facilities.
• Successful completion of this course allows the
student to take the North Carolina and National
EMT Registry Exams.
• Course Length: 176 hours
SWHS Public Safety Program
EMT Basic Requirements
• High School Diploma, Adult High School
diploma, or GED®.
• A copy of the diploma or transcript is
required at registration.
• TABE test for reading comprehension score
of 10.0 or higher (this score required to test
for North Carolina EMT Credential).
• This course will follow the guidelines
established by the NC Office of EMS.
SWHS Public Safety Program
EMT Paramedic
• Paramedics assess the urgent needs of patients and
stabilize their conditions until they receive
definitive care.
• This treatment includes advanced life support,
advanced patient assessment, airway management,
pharmacological interventions and critical decision
making.
• The various skills a paramedic performs may
include intravenous therapy, drug administration,
electrical cardioversion, induction of hypothermia,
surgical airway, and many others performed in the
uncontrolled environment.
SWHS Public Safety Program
EMT Paramedic
• Students will acquire these skills by utilizing
classroom instruction, practical laboratory
sessions, hospital clinical experiences, and field
internships with emergency services agencies.
• Paramedics are employed with emergency
medical services; fire and rescue services;
critical care transport services; air medical
services; hospitals; industry; educational
institutions; and local, state, and national
emergency management agencies.
SWHS Public Safety Program
EMT Paramedic Requirements
• North Carolina EMT – Basic
• High school or GED diploma
• TABE test for basic reading comprehension and
English language writing skills at a minimum of
12.1 or higher.
• TABE test for mathematical skills at a minimum
of 9.1
• Anatomy and Physiology for Healthcare
Providers (or equivalent) This course is offered
at Coastal Carolina Community College
SWHS Public Safety Program
EMT Paramedic Requirements
Textbooks
• Paramedic Practice Today – Above and
Beyond, Volumes 1 and 2 (Mosby)
• Basic Arrhythmias, 7th edition (Brady)
• Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS)
Provider Manual
• Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS)
Provider Manual
• Pediatric Education for Prehospital
Professionals (PEPP) Provider Manual
SWHS Public Safety Program
EMT Paramedic Requirements
Textbooks
• International Trauma Life Support (ITLS) Provider
Manual
• The cost for the paramedic program will be
approximately $2,030 for all five modules during
the two year period, which will include textbooks
and uniforms. This cost may vary depending on
legislated tuition costs.
• The registration fees may be waived for North
Carolina volunteer or paid, non-convalescent, life
saving departments (EMS), volunteer or paid
firefighters, and municipal, county or state law
enforcement officers, with proof of membership.
SWHS Public Safety Program
EMTs and Paramedics
Work Environment
• Emergency medical technicians (EMTs) and
paramedics held about 239,100 jobs in 2012.
• Their work is physically strenuous and can be
stressful, sometimes involving life-or-death
situations and patients who are suffering.
• Most paid EMTs and paramedics work in
metropolitan areas.
EMTs and Paramedics
Work Environment
• Most paid EMTs and paramedics work full time.
About 1 in 3 worked more than 40 hours per
week in 2012.
• Because EMTs and paramedics must be available
to work in emergencies, they may work
overnight and on weekends.
• Some EMTs and paramedics work shifts in 12- or
24-hour increments.
• Volunteer EMTs and paramedics have variable
work schedules
EMTs and Paramedics Job Outlook
• Employment of emergency medical technicians
(EMTs) and paramedics is projected to grow 23
percent from 2012 to 2022, much faster than
the average for all occupations.
• Emergencies, such as car crashes, natural
disasters, or acts of violence, will continue to
create demand for EMTs and paramedics.
• Demand for part-time, volunteer EMTs and
paramedics in rural areas and smaller
metropolitan areas will also continue.
EMTs and Paramedics Pay
• The median annual wage for emergency
medical technicians (EMTs) and paramedics
was $31,020 in May 2012.
• The median wage is the wage at which half the
workers in an occupation earned more than
that amount and half earned less.
• The lowest 10 percent earned less than
$20,180, and the top 10 percent earned more
than $53,550.
Correctional Officer
Job Outlook
Correctional Officer
• Correctional officers inspect the living quarters
of the inmates that they oversee.
• Correctional officers are responsible for
overseeing individuals who have been arrested
and are awaiting trial or who have been
sentenced to serve time in a jail, reformatory,
or prison.
• Typically, offenders serving time at county jails
are sentenced to a year or less. Those serving a
year or more are usually in state or federal
prisons.
Correctional Officer Duties
• Correctional officers typically do the following:
• Enforce rules and keep order within jails or
prisons
• Supervise activities of inmates
• Aid in rehabilitation and counseling of offenders
• Inspect conditions within facilities to ensure that
they meet established standards
• Search inmates for contraband items
• Report on inmate conduct
Correctional Officer Duties
• They maintain security by preventing any
disturbances, assaults, or escapes.
• Correctional officers supervise the daily
activities of inmates, ensuring that inmates
obey the rules and finish their work.
Correctional officers also ensure that they
know where all inmates are.
• Officers must search inmates for contraband
such as weapons or drugs, settle disputes
between inmates, and enforce discipline.
Correctional Officer Duties
• The officers enforce regulations through effective
communication and the use of progressive
sanctions, which involve punishments such as
loss of privileges.
• Sanctions are progressive in that they start out
small for a lesser or single offense but become
more severe for more serious offenses or when
repeat offenses occur.
• In addition, officers may aid inmates in their
rehabilitation by scheduling work assignments,
counseling, and educational opportunities.
Correctional Officer Duties
• Correctional officers periodically inspect
facilities. They check cells and other areas for
unsanitary conditions, contraband, signs of a
security breach such as any tampering with
window bars or doors, and any other evidence
of violations of the rules.
• Officers also inspect mail and visitors for
prohibited items.
• They write reports or fill out daily logs detailing
inmate behavior and anything of note that
occurred during their shift.
Correctional Officer Duties
• Correctional officers may have to restrain
inmates in handcuffs and leg irons to escort
them safely to and from cells and other areas
and to see authorized visitors.
• Officers also escort prisoners between the
institution and courtrooms, medical facilities,
and other destinations.
• Correctional officers cannot show favoritism
and must report any inmate who violates the
rules.
Correctional Officer Duties
• If a crime is committed within their
institution or an inmate escapes, they help
the responsible law enforcement
authorities investigate or search for the
escapee.
• Correctional officers have no responsibilities
for law enforcement outside of their place
of work.
How to Become a Correctional Officer
• Correctional officers go through a training
academy and then are assigned to a facility
for on-the-job training.
• Qualifications vary by agency, but all
agencies require a high school diploma or
equivalent.
• Some also require some college education or
work experience.
How to Become a Correctional Officer
• Correctional officers must have at least a
high school diploma or equivalent.
• Some state and local corrections agencies
require some college credits, but law
enforcement or military experience may be
substituted for this requirement.
How to Become a Correctional Officer
• For employment in federal prisons, the Federal
Bureau of Prisons requires entry-level
correctional officers to have at least a bachelor's
degree; 3 years of full-time experience in a field
providing counseling, assistance, or supervision
to individuals; or a combination of the two.
• New federal correctional officers must undergo
200 hours of formal training within the first year
of employment, including 120 hours of
specialized training at the U.S. Federal Bureau of
Prisons residential training center.
Important Qualities of
a Correctional Officer
• Critical-thinking skills - Correctional officers
must determine the best practical approach to
solving a problem.
• Good judgment - Officers must use both their
training and common sense to quickly
determine the best course of action and to take
necessary steps to achieve a desired outcome.
• Interpersonal skills - Correctional officers must
be able to interact and effectively communicate
with inmates and others to maintain order in
correctional facilities and courtrooms.
Important Qualities of
a Correctional Officer
• Negotiation skill - Officers must be able to assist
others in resolving differences to avoid conflict.
• Physical strength - Correctional officers must
have the strength to physically move or subdue
inmates.
• Self discipline - Correctional officers must
control their emotions when confronted with
hostile situations.
Important Qualities of
a Correctional Officer
• Writing skills - Officers must be able to
understand and learn training materials and
write reports regularly.
• Correctional officers usually must be at least 18
to 21 years of age, must be a U.S. citizen or
permanent resident, and must have no felony
convictions.
• New applicants for federal corrections positions
must be appointed before they are 37 years old.
Correctional Officer Work Environment
• Correctional officers held about 469,500 jobs in
2012. Almost all worked for federal, state, and
local governments. The remainder were
employed by private companies that provide
correctional services to prisons and jails.
• Correctional officers may work indoors or
outdoors.
• Correctional officers may be required to stand
for long periods of time.
• Bailiffs generally work in courtrooms.
Correctional Officer Pay
• The median annual wage for correctional officers
and jailers was $39,040 in May 2012. The median
wage is the wage at which half the workers in an
occupation earned more than that amount and half
earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than
$27,000, and the top 10 percent earned more than
$69,610.
• The median annual wage for bailiffs was $36,840 in
May 2012. The lowest 10 percent earned less than
$18,700, and the top 10 percent earned more than
$66,860.
Emergency Management Specialists
Job Outlook
Emergency Management
Specialists/Directors
• Coordinate disaster response or crisis
management activities, provide disaster
preparedness training, and prepare
emergency plans and procedures for natural
(e.g., hurricanes, floods, earthquakes),
wartime, or technological (e.g., nuclear power
plant emergencies, hazardous materials spills)
disasters or hostage situations.
Emergency Management
Specialists/Directors
• Coordinates resources from all sectors before,
during, and after an emergency.
• Manages activities relating to mitigation,
preparedness, response, and recovery.
• Ensures that all players of the process:
– Are aware of potential threats to the community.
– Participate in mitigation and prevention activities.
– Plan for emergencies using an all-hazards
approach.
Emergency Management
Specialists/Directors
• Ensures that all players of the process:
– 4.Operate effectively in emergency situations.
– 5.Conduct effective recovery operations after
a disaster.
Emergency Management
Specialists/Directors
• The Emergency Program Manager
coordinates all components of the emergency
management system for the community,
including:
– Fire and police services.
– Emergency medical programs.
– Volunteers and voluntary organizations.
– Other groups involved in emergency activities.
Employment and Wage Estimates
Emergency Management Specialists
Employment Employment Mean Hourly Mean Annual
Wage
Wage
13,060
2.1%
$27.36
SWHS Public Safety Program
$56,900
Wage RSE
2%
Employment and Wage Estimates
Emergency Management Directors
Employment Employment Mean Hourly Mean Annual
Wage
Wage
11,050
2.1%
$30.22
SWHS Public Safety Program
$62,850
Wage RSE
2.1%
State
Employment Per 1000
Location
Quotient
Hourly
Mean
Wage
Annual
Mean
Wage
California
930
0.07
0.77
$43.77
$91,030
Virginia
530
0.15
1.72
$37.03
$77,030
Maryland
190
0.08
0.88
$35.28
$73,390
Mass
220
0.07
0.80
$35.22
$73,270
Oregon
120
0.08
0.90
$35.09
$72,980
SWHS Public Safety Program