Chesterfield schools launching 911 dispatcher program for students
CHESTERFIELD, Va. (WWBT)—Shannon White found her passion for emergency telecommunications while serving as a 911 dispatcher in Chesterfield.
“We are the first, first responders,” said White, who serves as the chief of personnel development for Chesterfield Emergency Communications. “It’s kind of a thrill to be able to put those calls in as quickly as possible, ask the questions, get the information, and get people started.”
Students in Chesterfield will soon be able to see what it’s like to work in this career field as part of a partnership between Chesterfield County Public Schools and the Chesterfield County Emergency Communications Center.
The partnership opens the door for Chesterfield students to learn what it takes to become a 911 dispatcher, a course beyond lessons in the Chesterfield Career and Technical Center classroom.
“They have their instruction for criminal justice in our own building, but then they get to leave our building and go to the Eanes-Pittman facility, where they will have direct contact with our ECO partners and they gain that instruction on the job,” said Brian Russell, principal of the Chesterfield Career and Technical Center on Hull Street Road.
Russell said students will be able to earn three high school credits while gaining hands-on experience where the calls are coming in. This will also give students a chance to see if this career is a good fit for their future goals.
“Just like we try on our clothes, we try on this career, and it’s much easier for them to try it on here in a high school setting because if they like it, that is great,” he said. “If they don’t care for it, then they’ll know they can pivot before they go on to having to pay for these things outside the facility.”
Russell said up to 20 seniors from the center’s criminal justice program will participate in this new initiative, which he believes will address a critical workforce need.
“Chesterfield County is growing at an enormous rate, and so the volume of calls are also increasing as well,” said Russell. “Chesterfield County government has a need by fulfilling these positions, and we have a desire to make sure our students have this opportunity to be there as this is being created.”
White believes this opportunity will open doors for students to become public servants.
“This is a helping profession, and this opens a doorway for them who still want to be involved in public safety, but not necessarily be in the front lines,” she said.
Russell said the students will start their work in the emergency telecommunications program in January.
Copyright 2025 WWBT. All rights reserved.
