911 Communications & Dispatch Unit

As of July 1, 2012, the State of Florida passed legislation mandating all 911 Telecommunicators to become state-certified. On February 14, 2012, our 911 Communications Training Program was certified by the Florida Department of Health and meets the required criteria to allow our in-house trainers to provide the necessary training to individuals interested in a career as a 911 Telecommunicator. All individuals must complete 232-hours of training on emergency protocols, pass the Florida state exam, and complete 20-hours of in-service training every two years.

About the Unit

The unit is overseen by David Hadawi who is the 911 Operations Manager/911 Coordinator. David oversees the operations associated with managing a team of 32 telecommunication professionals. Our Sheriff's Office Communication's Unit currently has 29 State Certified Telecommunicators. These unsung heroes are the men and women who answer emergency and non-emergency calls for service 24/7, weekends, and holidays. 911 Communication Unit teams work like a well-oiled precision tool when critical calls come in or the phones and radio are swamped on a full moon Friday.

These highly trained individuals receive calls for help and must determine the nature, location, and extent of the emergency. They make life-changing decisions based on limited information with limited time. As essential personnel, they are the hub of the Sheriff's Office. They managed over 315,767 calls for service in 2012. Answering telephones, taking telephone messages, and handling complaints isn't all they do. They are working in the middle of the night and during emergencies while everyone else gets to be home with their families.

Lifeline

Dispatchers are the lifeline between the community and the vast resources needed to protect and serve. They handle everything from barking dogs to armed bank robberies. Their work is stressful and requires the ability to handle numerous tasks simultaneously. The individuals that make up our 911 Communications Unit are dedicated, reliable and professional.

As first responders, they are instrumental in providing information that assists with the apprehension of criminals on a daily basis. It is their job to objectively and thoroughly gather all critical incident information thus constructing the foundation for a comprehensive response in the interest of the safety of those involved.

The Future of Our Unit

The future of our 911 Communications Unit will include the 'Next Generation 911' environment. The public will be able to make voice, text, or video emergency "calls" from any communications device via Internet Protocol-based networks.

The excitement is what many of the Dispatchers love about their job. Every day is different and you never know what the day will bring. It is through their dedication and commitment to excellence that they proudly serve the citizens of Martin County and the members or the Martin County Sheriff's Office.

Thank you for visiting our webpage and please feel free to contact David if you have any questions concerning our 911 Communications Unit.