If you'd like to learn how the 9-1-1 emergency dispatch center works the King County Sheriff's office will provide a very special opportunity on March 31 through their Citizen's Academy.

You can learn about the role 9-1-1 Communications Specialists play in the public safety system and get a good grounding in why and how call to the center is handled.

The all day class includes information on the history of 9-1-1, call-taking and police dispatching, training program, King County geography, agency partnerships, citizen training, and what the CALEA Accreditation process means.

In addition to the classroom session, academy participants will be scheduled to spend two 2-hours sessions with an on-duty Communications Specialist. The “sit-along” time will offer a practical demonstration of the lessons learned in the academy.

The academy is open to anyone at least 18 years old with no felony convictions. Applicants must live or work in King County.

Applications to attend are now being accepted. Space is limited and completed applications should be turned in as soon as possible. The application deadline is Friday, March 9th, 2012.

Applications are available on the King County Sheriff’s Office website: http://www.kingcounty.gov/safety/sheriff/Enforcement/911Center/2012Citz…. You can also request the applications by calling our Hotline at 206-205-6625, or by sending an email request to: KCSO911FB@kingcounty.gov