Prepare to keep calm and carry on in emergencies
Train to work in the challenging field of 911 emergency operations and other dispatch centres. You'll gain the knowledge, skills, and confidence to handle demanding scenarios, manage the public, and collaborate with emergency personnel.
Equip yourself with the skills to work with a specialized workforce, covering call management, crisis intervention, pre-hospital care, professional communications, equipment operations, and more. Highlights include practical experience shadowing actual and simulated emergency calls. Most courses are delivered online, except for one in-person 60-hour placement.
Program highlights
- 120 hours placement – 60 hours in your home community and 60 hours in-person in the Sudbury region
- Shadow live and simulated emergency calls
- Grads can receive certification from the Association of Public Safety Communications Officials, Canada (APCO)
Program of study for 2025-26 Academic Year
| Semester 1 | Credits | |
|---|---|---|
| EMC 1001 | APCO Public Safety Telecommunicator | 3 |
| KBD 1001 | Computer Keyboarding Skills I | 3 |
| EMC 1012 | Emergency Services Structure | 3 |
| EMC 1003 | Crisis Intervention | 3 |
| EMC 1010 | Foundations of Emergency Comm | 3 |
| PSY 1125 | Positive Psychology | 3 |
| Credits | 18 | |
| Semester 2 | ||
| EMC 1006 | Emergency Management | 3 |
| EMC 1008 | Interpersonal Communications | 3 |
| EMC 1009 | Emergency Communication Placement | 3 |
| EMC 1011 | Placement Seminar | 3 |
| NTN 1001 | Stress Wellness and Nutrition | 3 |
| CAT 1000 | Advocacy and Ethics | 3 |
| One General Education Course. 1 | 3 | |
| Credits | 21 | |
| Total Credits | 39 | |
- 1
For more information regarding General Education courses, click here.
Admission requirements
For graduates of the new curriculum (OSS): Ontario Secondary School Diploma (30 credits) or equivalent or mature student status, including:
- Any grade 12 English (C) or (U)
Specific program pathways
College or university degree opportunities
If you are a graduate of this program, you may continue your studies at a college or university and you may receive credit(s) for your prior college education. Refer to Cambrian's college and university agreement details for further information.
Employment opportunities
Dispatchers operate radios and other telecommunication equipment to dispatch emergency vehicles and to co-ordinate the activities of drivers and other personnel. They are employed by:
- Police
- Fire
- Health departments
- Other emergency service agencies
- Taxi
- Delivery and courier services
- Trucking and utilities companies
- Other commercial and industrial establishments
Common titles for this occupation include 911 dispatcher, airline radio operator, alarm system dispatcher, alarm system operator, and ambulance dispatcher.
Please note: Cambrian College strives to ensure the accuracy of the information on this website. Please note that the academic curriculum is continually reviewed and revised to ensure that Cambrian's programs and courses remain relevant. The College reserves the right to cancel or make changes to any course or program, fee, procedure, or campus location at any time.
