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Fire Dispatcher Jobs (NOW HIRING)

City of San Diego

Dispatcher II

San Diego, CA

$69K - $84K/yr

Dispatcher II positions in the Police and Fire-Rescue Departments work on a Computer-Aided Dispatch (CAD) system and are the primary answering point for all 911 and non-emergency phone calls from ...

City of San Diego

Dispatcher I

San Diego, CA

$63K - $76K/yr

Dispatcher I positions in the Police and Fire-Rescue Departments work on a Computer-Aided Dispatch (CAD) system and are the primary answering point for all 911 and non-emergency phone calls from ...

City of San Diego, CA

Dispatcher I

San Diego, CA · On-site

$63K - $76K/yr

Dispatcher I positions in the Police and Fire-Rescue Departments work on a Computer-Aided Dispatch (CAD) system and are the primary answering point for all 911 and non-emergency phone calls from ...

American Ambulance

Dispatcher

Fresno, CA · On-site

$19.45 - $25.55/hr

Conduct medical and fire interrogation, provide pre-arrival instructions, and accurately enter all pertinent information into the computer system. Work in close coordination with Dispatcher II and ...

City of Waukesha, WI

Dispatcher

Waukesha, WI · On-site

$56K - $67K/yr

Continuous As a 911 emergency dispatcher, the initial first responders' primary responsibility is ... Receives, relays and transmits routine and emergency telephone calls to police, fire, ems, and ...

City of Waukesha

Dispatcher

Waukesha, WI · On-site

$56K - $67K/yr

As a 911 emergency dispatcher, the initial first responders' primary responsibility is to receive ... Receives, relays and transmits routine and emergency telephone calls to police, fire, ems, and ...

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Showing results 21-40

All JobsFire Dispatcher Jobs

Fire Dispatcher information

See salary details

$37.5K

$56.4K

$73.5K

How much do fire dispatcher jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 10, 2026, the average yearly pay for fire dispatcher in the United States is $56,370.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $42,500.00 and $66,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

How hard is it to become a fire dispatcher?

Becoming a fire dispatcher typically requires completing a high school diploma or equivalent, passing a written exam and background check, and often obtaining emergency communication certifications. The process involves training in emergency response protocols and communication skills, and candidates must be able to handle stressful situations effectively.

What is a fire dispatcher?

Fire dispatchers are emergency service professionals who receive and process calls related to fires, medical emergencies, and other incidents requiring fire department response. They gather critical information from callers, determine the nature and location of the emergency, and dispatch the appropriate fire and emergency personnel to the scene. Fire dispatchers also provide instructions to callers and maintain communication with responding units to ensure a coordinated and efficient response. Their role is essential in ensuring public safety and effective emergency management.

Is being a fire dispatcher hard?

Fire dispatchers coordinate emergency responses by answering calls, providing instructions, and dispatching fire services. The job requires strong communication skills, the ability to handle stressful situations, and often involves shift work, including nights and weekends. It can be demanding due to the high-pressure environment and the need for quick decision-making.

What are some common challenges faced by fire dispatchers during emergency situations?

Fire Dispatchers often work in high-pressure environments where they must quickly gather accurate information and dispatch the appropriate resources, all while remaining calm and composed. One common challenge is managing multiple emergencies simultaneously, which requires strong multitasking and prioritization skills. Dispatchers also need to communicate clearly with both callers in distress and first responders, ensuring that instructions are understood and followed. Additionally, coping with the emotional impact of distressing calls can be a significant challenge, but most agencies provide support and training to help dispatchers manage stress and maintain their well-being.

What does a fire dispatcher do?

Fire dispatchers play a critical role in the emergency and non-emergency communications for a given city. Working in a call center, a fire dispatcher will receive calls from individuals, through 911 or a direct phone number. The dispatcher will be responsible for listening to the details and coordinate the appropriate services necessary to help the caller. Along with fire departments, dispatchers may often work with emergency medical services (EMS) and other public safety services. These calls can be for critical and life-threatening situations which will require the fire dispatcher to remain calm and gather the necessary information to get the right help to the right location.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a fire dispatcher?

To excel as a Fire Dispatcher, you need strong decision-making skills, attention to detail, and typically a high school diploma or equivalent, with some roles requiring certification in emergency dispatching. Familiarity with Computer-Aided Dispatch (CAD) systems, radio communication equipment, and emergency protocols is crucial. Excellent communication, composure under pressure, and the ability to multitask help set top performers apart in this role. These competencies ensure rapid, accurate response to emergencies, directly impacting public safety and the effectiveness of fire services.

How much do fire dispatchers make?

Fire dispatchers in New York City typically earn an average annual salary of around $50,000 to $70,000, depending on experience and certifications. They often work in high-pressure environments and may require specialized training in emergency communication systems.

What is the difference between Fire Dispatcher vs Emergency Communications Officer?

AspectFire DispatcherEmergency Communications Officer
CertificationsEmergency Medical Dispatch (EMD), CPR, dispatcher certificationsEmergency Medical Dispatch (EMD), CPR, dispatcher certifications
Work EnvironmentDispatch centers, emergency call roomsDispatch centers, emergency call rooms
Industry UsageFire departments, emergency servicesPublic safety agencies, emergency services
Job FocusCoordinate fire response, dispatch fire unitsCoordinate various emergency responses, including fire, medical, and police

Both roles involve emergency call handling and dispatching, often requiring similar certifications. However, Fire Dispatchers primarily focus on fire response coordination, while Emergency Communications Officers handle a broader range of emergencies, including medical and police incidents. The roles are integral to public safety and often overlap in work environment and qualifications.

More about Fire Dispatcher jobs
What cities are hiring for Fire Dispatcher jobs? Cities with the most Fire Dispatcher job openings:
What states have the most Fire Dispatcher jobs? States with the most job openings for Fire Dispatcher jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Fire Dispatcher jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Fire Dispatcher jobs are:
What are popular job titles related to Fire Dispatcher jobs? For Fire Dispatcher jobs, the most frequently searched job titles are:
Fire Dispatcher jobs near you
Infographic showing various Fire Dispatcher job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 87% Full Time, 10% Part Time, and 3% Nights. Highlights an 97% In-person, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $56,370 per year, or $27.1 per hour.

Forestry Technician (Fire Dispatch)

Forest Service

Medford, OR • On-site, Remote

$25.37/hr

Full-time

Posted 10 days ago

Job description

Summary
This position is located within a National Forest. The position is located on a fire crew as a crewmember within the fire management organization. The primary purpose of this position is to serve as a fire dispatcher in support of fire suppression activities.
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Duties
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  • Serves as a dispatcher, receiving, filling, and tracking resource requests for fire and other emergency incidents.
  • Follows established procedures to perform a variety of technical duties common to the dispatch of personnel, equipment, aircraft and/or supplies according to pre-defined plans or in response to resource orders from the field.
  • Initiates requests to higher organizational levels for additional resources as needed. Maintains resource status and tracking systems and operates telecommunications systems.
  • Collects, processes, collates and submits incident information to support fire operations (e.g., fire reports, smoke permits, spot weather forecasts, prescribed fire burn requests).
  • Organizes and reviews completed records of all orders placed and actions taken to ensure adherence to established operating procedures.
  • Processes and interprets weather information (e.g., spot weather forecasts, weather station observations, current and forecasted weather, lightning detection, and fuel moisture levels).
  • This information is used to determine burning indices, preparedness levels and staffing levels for suppression and aviation resources.
  • Inputs data into a number of fire-related computer applications (e.g., incident qualification records, fire reporting systems, and automated dispatch systems) and makes the initial assessment of outputs.
  • Provides critical logistical support information to supervisor and makes recommendations concerning the efficient uses of available resources.
  • Records and maintains communication logs.
  • Coordinates and may assist with fire and aviation operational-type training/simulations and orientation in addition to initial attack dispatch and aviation dispatch training.
  • Gathers information for the development and maintenance of the dispatch mobilization guide and internal dispatch operating guides.
  • Shares information with cooperators and other interested entities.

Requirements
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Conditions of employment
  • You must be a US Citizen or US National.
  • Males born after 12/31/1959 must be Selective Service registered or exempt.
  • Subject to satisfactory adjudication of background investigation and/or fingerprint check.
  • Direct Deposit Per Public Law 104-134 all Federal employees are required to have federal payments made by direct deposit to a financial institution of your choosing.
  • Must be 18 years of age.
  • Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit E-Verify.gov.
  • Some Fire positions may have Conditions of Employment such as: a valid state driver's license; a commercial driver's license (CDL); pre-appointment and random drug testing; or a physical or medical examination.
  • This is a Test Designated Position. You will be subject to pre-employment and random drug testing. Appointment is based on a negative result. This announcement constitutes 30 days advance notice.
  • Willing to live/work in remote locations (volatile/unpredictable).
  • Occasional overnight travel may be required for fire suppression or fire related assignment.
  • This is a secondary firefighter position under 5 USC 8336© (CSRS) and 8412(d) (FERS). Prior wildland firefighting experience is required. There is no age limit for entry into secondary positions.

Qualifications
In order to qualify, you must meet the eligibility and qualifications requirements as defined below by the closing date of the announcement. For more information on the qualifications for this position, visit the Office of Personnel Management's General Schedule Qualification Standards.
Your application and resume must clearly show that you possess the experience requirements. Transcripts must be provided for qualifications based on education. Provide course descriptions as necessary.
Specialized Experience Requirement:
GW-05: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least GS-4 grade level; OR a bachelor's degree or 4 years of successfully completed education above high school (120 semester/180 quarter hours) with major study in forestry, range management, agriculture, or a subject-matter field directly related to the position, or that included at least 24 semester hours in any combination of courses such as forestry, agriculture, crop or plant science, range management or conservation, wildlife management, watershed management, soil science, natural resources, outdoor recreation management, civil or forest engineering, or wildland fire science (no more than 6 semester hours in mathematics is creditable); OR combinations of successfully completed post-high school education (in excess of the first 60 semester/90 quarter hours) and specialized experience. The education must have been obtained in an accredited college or university.
Examples of specialized experience include: Filed and retrieved documents in a dispatching office; assisted in preparing various maps, plans, guides, analyses, and special reports for dispatch use and /or; received and processed requests for equipment, personnel, and supplies in conjunction with wildland fire and emergency incidents.
Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.
In accordance with USDA Department Regulation 4430-792-2, this position is a Testing Designated Position (TDP) under the USDA Drug Free Workplace Program and subject to pre-employment drug testing. All applicants selected for this position will be required to submit to a urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Incumbents of this position will be required to submit to a urinalysis on an ongoing random basis, after appointment as directed.
To receive consideration for this position, you must provide updated required documents and meet all qualification requirements by the closing date of this announcement.
Additional information
PLEASE NOTE: This vacancy is being used to fill positions for FY2027 Temporary Employment Hiring season. The expected start date for this position will be between January 10, 2027 to April 4, 2027.
By selecting the "Location Negotiable" option during the application process, implies your willingness to be considered for any official duty location listed on this announcement and/or those duty locations not listed for this Regional announcement. Pay rates vary depending on location. The salary shown is for the Rest of the U.S. See OPM.gov for additional information on pay rates.
This position is temporary, has a Not-to-Exceed date and will be filled for up to 6 months or as a not to exceed (NTE) 1 year, however an extension of the appointment may be possible without further competition. The appointment may also end early due to lack of work or lack of funds.
Applicants who apply under this job opportunity announcement agree to have their application, associated documents and applicable personal information shared with other groups within the Region who have vacancies within the same occupational series, grade, full performance level and in any of the geographic location(s) listed on the announcement. Applying to this announcement does not replace the need to apply to other job opportunity announcements for which you wish to receive consideration.
The duty station for this position will be at one of the duty locations listed in this announcement. Salary range as shown is the locality pay Rest of U.S. (RUS). Pay rates vary by location. Please visit the Office of Personnel Management's website for additional information on pay rates.
Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) or Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP): To exercise selection priority for this vacancy, CTAP/ICTAP candidates must meet the basic eligibility requirements and all selective factors. CTAP/ICTAP eligible must meet the agency's definition for a quality candidate as provided in the How You Will Be Evaluated section of this announcement to be considered.
If you are retired from the Federal Government and are selected for this vacancy, your retirement annuity may be offset from your pay.
This position is not eligible for telework.
Availability of government housing and federal day care facilities will vary by location.
Positions filled from this announcement may be a bargaining or a non-bargaining unit position represented by either NFFE, AFGE or NAGE.
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Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.
Benefits
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A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
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Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.

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