PSU campus public safety dispatchers graduate from Oregon Public Safety Academy

Two Portland State campus public safety office dispatchers graduated from the Oregon Department of Public Safety Standards and Training’s (DPSST) 111th Basic Telecommunications Class last week.

Kathleen Evans and Anita Vermilya completed the two week course which consisted of emergency call-handling techniques, stress management, civil liability, ethics, criminal law,  and other numerous safety topics. They will continue their training for several months with a field training officer at PSU.

This training program started in 1993 when Oregon law required proper training and certification for individuals who receive emergency calls for assistance from the public. Oregon has nearly 950 women and men who work in this profession in municipal, county, regional, and state public safety communication centers.

Both PSU emergency dispatchers and dispatchers around the state graduated last week during the Basic Telecommunications commencement ceremony.