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Learn how to type! At least 30 WPM and above.
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Practice typing what you hear as you hear it.
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Practice typing while YOU talk. It's not that
easy! You'll need this skill...
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Make arrangements to "sit-along" or tour a variety of
Communication's Centers.
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Forget what you've seen on television - it won't help
that much. Every Communication's Center is different.
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Practice listening skills and multi-tasking. Watch
TV and read a book, listen to the radio at the same time. Watch TV and
talk to a friend on the phone. Write down what was said on the TV.
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Learn how to read a map, and to give directions to
someone over the phone.
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Be good at memorizing and able to remember small
details.
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Take training courses to learn computer basics,
especially Microsoft Windows.
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Get good at navigating the Internet.
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Take First Aid & CPR courses - it is a requirement and a
valuable skill.
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Search the Internet and go to 9-1-1 Centers websites.
Check out www.apco911.org, read
comments on the APCO Exchange Forum. Read about the websites.
Look up 9-1-1 magazine websites such as;
http://www.9-1-1magazine.com/site/, they are just examples of what to
look for and read.
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Buy or borrow a radio scanner. Honest.
Listen to the professionals, hear how they say things.
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TAKE a course from some of the various Public Safety
training vendors!
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Be willing to work any shift, weekends, holidays and
overtime.
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Make sure you don't have any felonies or serious
misdemeanor convictions.
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Make sure your character is above reproach.
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If you have dependants that you take care of, be sure
you have plans for them while you are working. We want people to be at
work and not absent.
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If you get nervous or stressed out during tense, urgent
or emergency situations and are unable to function at 100% consider a
different career.