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Implementing a “Citizen’s Academy for 9-1-1”. A Strategic Means of Public Education. Why a “ Citizen’s Academy for 9-1-1 ”. Law Agencies recognize the benefit Informed and educated public Time Limitations Each law segment typically limited. Intent of a “ Citizen’s Academy for 9-1-1 ”.
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Implementing a “Citizen’s Academy for 9-1-1” A Strategic Means of Public Education
Why a “Citizen’s Academy for 9-1-1” • Law Agencies recognize the benefit • Informed and educated public • Time Limitations • Each law segment typically limited
Intent of a “Citizen’s Academy for 9-1-1” • Provide public education • Develop better understanding • First point of contact • “Voice of the agency” • Unanticipated benefit • Recruiting tool
Target Group • Adults with an interest • Local media personnel • Community organizations • Referrals from User Agencies • Applicants
Method of Implementation • Kemp Model of Instructional System Design • Needs assessment • Goals and objectives • Curriculum analysis • Identification of resources • Formative and summative evaluations This model served as the format for the proposal
Goals and Objectives • Goal • Provide a forum for informing and educating • Objectives • Solid understanding of organization • Understanding how a 9-1-1 call is processed • See how our quality improvement processes are used
Critical Issues • Site • Funding • Curriculum development • Identification of instructors • Scheduling • Marketing • Time constraints
Curricula Topics • Orientation – 1 hour • Call Taking – 2 hours • Law Dispatching – 2 hours • Fire/Medical Dispatching – 2 hours • Quality Improvement – 1 hour • Sit Along Observation – 4 hours
Class Schedule • Three day program + observation • One evening a week for 3 weeks • 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. + 4 hour sit along • One day program + observation • One Saturday • 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. + 4 hour sit along
Required Sit Along Observation • Puts class into perspective • Establishes relevance • Scheduled at participants’ convenience • But within academy time restrictions • Coordinated with Lead Dispatchers • Minimize impact on Center
Marketing • First class by invitation • Establish credibility, support, recognition • Identify target areas • Media, Community organizations, Business owners, Local colleges, Applicants, Citizens • Methods • Press release, flyers, letters word-of-mouth
Our First Class – September 9, 1998 • One evening a week, 4 weeks • Invitation only • 43 invitations mailed • 5 actually showed up and completed the course
To Date • Averaged 2 classes per year • Completed 11 classes • Graduated 159 participants • Completed 1 Citizen’s Academy for 9-1-1 in Spanish • 17 graduates have become employees
The Next Step “Citizen’s Academy for 9-1-1” On-line Course
Purpose • Increase availability of course • Recognize time/family commitments • Re-target previous Citizen’s Academy applicants that could not attend • Target job applicants • Citizen’s with limited mobility
Content • Follows the classroom curriculum • Linear format • Interactive as possible