Answering the Call!
New dispatch 911 and criminology course prepares students for life-saving careers
When people think of public safety careers, they often picture police officers, firefighters, or paramedics, the uniformed professionals who arrive on scene. But every emergency response begins with another crucial role: the 911 dispatcher. These highly trained professionals are the first voice callers hear in moments of crisis, responsible for calming emotions, gathering critical information, and coordinating help when seconds matter most.
Recognizing the growing need for these essential workers, Center Line High School has launched an innovative new course, Dispatch 911 and Criminology, giving students a direct pathway into public safety careers while still in high school.
The course is part of Center Line Public Schools’ expanding focus on career-connected learning in high-demand fields. Across the county and nationwide, emergency communication centers are facing chronic staffing shortages, leading to longer wait times and increased strain on current dispatchers. School leaders saw an opportunity to respond locally by introducing students to this critical profession early and preparing them with the skills agencies need.
Developed in collaboration with local police departments, dispatch centers, and criminal justice professionals, the course reflects the realities of modern dispatching. Today’s dispatchers do far more than answer phones. They operate advanced computer-aided dispatch systems, manage multiple emergencies at once, understand medical and law enforcement protocols, and communicate clearly under intense pressure all while showing empathy and professionalism.
For students, the class is both rigorous and hands-on. The curriculum blends classroom instruction with realistic simulations and real-world exposure. Students practice call-taking procedures, radio communication, dispatch codes, and crisis response through scenarios adapted from actual emergency calls. As the year progresses, those scenarios become more complex, building confidence, critical thinking, and composure.
Technology is a major component. Students learn to input, track, and relay information using dispatch software similar to what is used in real emergency centers. In addition, students have the opportunity to earn industry-recognized certifications through the course, allowing some graduates to move directly into dispatcher positions upon graduation. For many, this means leaving high school with both skills and a clear career path.
The course also integrates criminology, helping students understand how emergency calls fit into the broader criminal justice system. Lessons explore criminal behavior, forensic concepts, policing strategies, and legal frameworks. This knowledge helps students recognize patterns, identify escalating situations, and communicate more effectively with first responders in the field.
Students interested in public safety have additional opportunities through supporting coursework in Firefighting and Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) training, offered as part of the same pathway. These complementary classes allow students to see emergency response from multiple perspectives; from the voice answering the call to the professionals arriving on scene. Together, the pathway highlights how dispatchers, firefighters, EMTs, and law enforcement work as a coordinated team, while allowing students to pursue the role that best fits their interests.
Strong community partnerships are at the heart of the program. Local dispatchers and public safety professionals visit classrooms to share real experiences, while students tour dispatch centers and police departments to observe operations firsthand. Seeing seasoned dispatchers manage multiple screens and high-pressure situations often becomes a defining moment for students.
Beyond technical training, the course emphasizes communication, empathy, ethical decision-making, and de-escalation, skills that extend far beyond the classroom.
Ultimately, the Dispatch 911 and Criminology program is about preparation, opportunity, and service. Whether students step directly into the workforce or continue their education, they leave better equipped to support their community.
In a world where every second counts, the person answering the call matters. At Center Line High School through the Academies of Center Line, students are learning how to be that person.
Article provided by Center Line Public Schools for publication in the Macomb Daily.
