Required WPM?

[McCone911]

I am reviewing and updating our job descriptions that were written by the previous administration. They are requiring 50 WPM for entry level dispatchers. Keep in mind we are a VERY RURAL agency and have a hard time getting people to apply at all. Much as I would LOVE all my dispatchers to be able to type 50 WPM the reality is that most of them can't type 30WPM. So, I was just wondering what the "NORM" is for wpm requirements out there.

Thanks!

[chilidog]

We only require 35 words per minute. We dispatched for 5 agencies, 10 fire/qru departments and 6 ambulances.

[Redcard]

We use the Criticall testing software. We are very happy with the results from using the system for about two years now. We have found that evaluating on keystrokes per hour, rather than words per minute, and multi-tasking ability, we have been selecting more competant applicants to move on. We have our threshold set at an equivelant to about 40 wpm.

Our center consists of 42 police/fire/EMS agencies in a 4000 square mile county and we have 46 dispatchers, about 9 +/- on duty at one time.