Since the photo story is going to be multiple segments with "headquarters" being talked to extensively, I thought it may be a good idea to show the Playmobil City 911 Communication's Center that is responsible for dispatching Playmobil City Fire Department District's 1 & 2, Playmobil City Emergency Medical Services, & Playmobil City Police Department. In the field this center is addressed as "headquarters". There are always 1 Level 1 dispatcher, & 4 Level 2 or 3 dispatchers on duty 24/7 365. There is never to be more than 1 Level 1 dispatcher on duty per shift. There is 1 Fire Department/EMS dispatch supervisor on duty at all times. The primary responsibility of this supervisor is to over see all fire, & EMS calls, & to supervise the level 1 dispatchers for their 6 month assignment. There are 4 levels of dispatchers. Level 1 is required to be a basic EMT, & certified firefighter. This position is primarily given to the probationary firefighter cadets that are required to complete 6 months of dispatch training for 2 basic reasons. The first is to learn proper radio etiquette, & the second is to learn to appreciate the job description of the dispatcher's who are the unseen hero's that are their life line in the field. After they complete their 6 months of training they are evaluated, & assigned to a fire station. Level 2 is required to be an EMT-Intermediate, & a certified firefighter. They are to have at least 1 year of dispatching experience. Level 3 is to be a licenced Paramedic, & certified firefighter with at least 1 & a half years of dispatching experience. Level 4 is the supervisor level. These individuals are to be licensed Paramedics, certified firefighters with O.I.C. training of Sargent, lieutenant, or captain. They are also required to be a dispatcher for at least 2 years before being promoted to a supervisor's position. They are to take psychological negotiation training to handle individuals that are irate, hysterical, or in a hostage situation. They are also to be trained with advanced satellite navigational/GPS computer program experience to be used for responding units having difficulty finding a location. All Playmobil emergency service vehicles have 1 of 3 systems to get help finding incident locations; 1. Maybe an on board laptop computer, 2. A hand held GPS, or 3. A 3G cell phone. When a level 1-3 dispatcher answers a call this supervisor is responsible to intervene if the situation is designated to do so. The other shift supervisor is a Police Department command officer that is responsible for monitoring police dispatch calls. They have the authority to send equipment, & personnel as needed to police scenes based on information received. This supervisor is to be tactical/SWAT trained, & to be an officer with a rank of Sargent or higher. They are also required to have hostage negotiation training. There is to be one of these supervisor's on duty at all times.
