The Dispatch Magazine Bookstore has two guides devoted to CAD software and applying for public safety dispatcher jobs. All the guides and digest are delivered as Acrobat (pdf) files, downloaded to your computer for reading or printing. There are no printed versions of these two Guides. You must have Acrobat or Acrobat Reader to view or print the Guides. You may pay by VISA, MasterCard or PayPal.
Computer-Aided Dispatch Software Guide
3rd Edition/2010, updated, expanded and with Web links – 138 pages
The task of specifying, purchasing and implementing a public safety computer-aided dispatch (CAD) system is complicated and time-consuming. This guide walks you through the entire process with a step-by-step explanation of CAD features, what capabilities are critical, and how to navigate the purchase and implementation process. Written for computer and CAD beginners, cener managers, IT personnel and even software programmers new to CAD. It covers hardware and software features and commands, calltaking, radio dispatching, mobile data, 911 and other interfaces, the RFI/RFP process, evaluating bids, vendor considerations and pricing. Includes contact list of 115 vendors who market CAD software. Note: This guide will be delivered as an Acrobat (pdf) download to your computer for viewing or printing. After payment, you’ll receive an email containing a Web link to download the guide. You must have Acrobat Reader to view or print this guide.
Price: $49.95
Dispatcher’s Job Application Guide
by Miriam McGrew
Not a generic hiring guide! This book was written to help you prepare for the entire application, testing, interviewing and hiring process for public safety dispatcher. Don’t wait until the day before the written test to prepare! This guide covers: pre-app training and education, filling out the application, preparing for the written test, filling out the background questionnaire, considerations for the in-person interview and loads of Web-based resources for your to explore. It includes a special test-taking guide prepared by the California Highway Patrol for that state’s standardized P.O.S.T. test, and which is representative of many dispatcher tests. Note: This guide will be delivered as an Acrobat (pdf) download to your computer for viewing or printing. After payment, you’ll receive an email containing a Web link to download the guide. You must have Acrobat Reader to view or print this guide.
Price: $19.99
Dispatcher as Expert Witness
You work every day taking and making phone calls, and handling field units on the radio. But there could be much more to your job if you’re subpoenaed into court to testify about your actions in the comm center. What will it be like, what questions will the attorneys on both sides ask, and how should you respond. This guide covers the basics and provides insight into how to survive a potentially stressful appearance in court. Note: This guide will be delivered as an Acrobat (pdf) download to your computer for viewing or printing. After payment, you’ll receive an email containing a Web link to download the guide. You must have Acrobat Reader to view or print this guide.
Price: $9.95
News Digest Collection
Great for training, helpful for developing policies and justifying budgets! Each month I collect the stories that appear on the Web site and package them into a concise digest that’s a valuable record of what’s happening in public safety communications. Each story gives you the details, and alerts you to additional links and materials located on the Web site. You can view the digest on your computer using Acrobat Reader, or print out selected pages for distribution. The digests are available for April 2009 to the present, over 175 pages of tightly-packed information about dispatchers, dispatching and public safety communications. Note: This guide will be delivered as an Acrobat (pdf) download to your computer for viewing or printing. After payment, you’ll receive an email containing a Web link to download the guide. You must have Acrobat Reader to view or print this guide.
Price: $5.00
News Latest Digest
Download last month’s digest of Dispatch Monthly On-Line stories, usually 5-7 pages about critical incidents, FCC actions, radio, CAD and other technology. Note: When you click the link, the file will be downloaded immediately in Acrobat (pdf) format. You must have Acrobat, Acrobat Reader or another program to display pdf-format files.
Price: no charge
