NEXT BETST BOARD MEETING – WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2021
The meeting will be held by teleconference and will begin at 10:00 a.m. Contact the staff for call-in instructions.
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UPDATES
The Board voted to approve online EMD basic and Virtual/Online electives; details will be discussed for final approval at the next meeting. The Board has confirmed that any approved vendor’s course maybe taught virtual or online. The Board has approved to cap reimbursement for virtual or online courses at $200.00 per 8 hours.
The Board will reimburse Quality Assurance Officer training for 1 officer per 15 employees.
The Board decided to remove the NCIC recertification test from the list of electives. The Board will no longer count this course as an elective nor reimburse the salary of the person taking the test. A list of approved courses will be published after the next meeting.
The Board voted to remove ride alongs (field observations) as a requirement for certification and remove them as electives. The Board voted to increase the 100-mile rule to 150 miles. The Board voted to remove in-house training as an elective if online courses are adopted. The details will be discussed for final approval at the next meeting.
The Board voted that TCPR could be an optional course for EMD telecommunicators and TCPR was approved as an elective.
BOARD WILL CONSIDER VOTING AT NEXT MEETING TO ADOPT THE PROPOSED POLICY CHANGES:
There are recommended changes to the policy for clarification purposes and changes voted on at the last meeting. The below underlined language is proposed to be inserted into policy and the language that has strikeouts are recommended to be removed from the policy.
Rule 6.2 Policy
1.
B. Reimbursement shall be allowable for telecommunicators in attendance at board-approved training programs established at such agencies or institutions as the board may deem appropriate within one hundred-fifty (150) (100) miles from the telecommunicator’s agency. A justifiable written explanation must be provided to the Board requesting approval for reimbursement of training one hundred-fifty (150) (100) miles or more from the telecommunicator’s agency. Only allowable tuition may be reimbursed for training over 100 150 miles without prior approval.
D.
4. All administrative requirements must have been completed pursuant to this Policy and Procedures Manual to include all forms completed in full; these include the Application for Certification (Parts I, II and III), Eight-Hour Field Observation and the Reimbursement Worksheet; and
E.
d. Field observation (ride-along) programs are required to be certified as a telecommunicator (Salary reimbursement only).
Rule 7.2 Policy
1. The Board approved Basic Emergency Telecommunications Training Courses shall include classroom activity (no online basic course) as well as hands-on skill certification. To begin the certification process, the successful completion of the Mississippi Emergency Telecommunications 16-Hour Orientation Course is required within the first ninety (90) days from the date of hire as a telecommunicator. There are two types of courses used in the certification process. They are divided into:
B. Emergency medical.
1. The Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials (APCO) Basic 40- Hour, the National Emergency Communications Institute (NECI) Basic 40-Hour, and the International Academies of Emergency Dispatch (IAED) Basic 40-Hour courses have been approved for basic emergency telecommunications training. Basic online courses are not approved for certification. For the emergency medical training the APCO 32-Hour, the NECI 24-Hour, and the International Academies of Emergency Dispatch (IAED) EMD courses have been approved. EMD Basic online courses are approved for certification.
Source: Miss Code Ann. § 19-5-353
Rule 7.3 Procedures
1. A.
1. Current certification by APCO Institute 40-Hour Telecommunicator Training Program or NECI Basic Emergency Communication Officer 40-Hour Training Program, or IAED 40-Hour Emergency Telecommunicator Course, and .
2. Successful completion of field observation (ride-along)** with a law enforcement field training officer (8 hours).
Note: This does not qualify the participant as an EMS telecommunicator, Fire Service telecommunicator or as a certified Mississippi Justice Information Center (MJIC) terminal operator.
B. Minimum Standards of Training and Certification for Fire Service Telecommunicators/Dispatchers.
1. Current certification by APCO Institute 40-Hour Telecommunicator Training Program or NECI Basic Emergency Communication Officer 40-Hour Training Program, or IAED 40-Hour Emergency Telecommunicator Course, and .
2. Successful completion of field observation (ride-along)** with a fire service field training officer (8 hours).
Note: This does not qualify the participant as an EMS telecommunicator, Law Enforcement telecommunicator or as a certified Mississippi Justice Information Center (MJIC) terminal operator.
C. Minimum Standards of Training and Certification for EMS Telecommunicators.
1. Successful completion of the International Academies of Emergency Medical Dispatch; APCO Institute of Emergency Medical Dispatch; or National Emergency Communications Institute - Emergency Medical Communications Officer training course.
2. Successful completion of the 40-Hour Basic APCO, NECI, or IAED course.
3. Field observation (ride-along). ** Provide an overview of regulations and recommendations pertaining to emergency vehicle operation; provide an understanding of all records and reporting systems and forms utilized by the public safety agency; promote efficient and proper use of all radio communications equipment and systems that the public safety officer or EMT will utilize. (8 hours minimum).
4. Current certification in CPR by the American Heart Association or the American Red Cross or an equivalent nationally recognized organization.
Note: These methods of certification for an EMS telecommunicator do not qualify the participant as a Fire Service telecommunicator, Law Enforcement telecommunicator or as a certified Mississippi Justice Information Center (MJIC) terminal operator.
**Field observation (ride-along) is required of all Emergency Telecommunicators. The field observation may be conducted with the Telecommunicator's local agency provided there is adequate call volume and activity to provide an effective learning experience. In communities with less activity, consideration should be given to attaining field observation experience with more active agencies. The field observation (ride-along) should provide an overview of regulations and standard field operating procedures, recommendations pertaining to emergency vehicle operation; provide an understanding of all records and reporting systems and forms utilized by the agency; promote efficient and proper use of all radio communications equipment and systems that the public safety officer or EMT will utilize. A minimum of 8 hours of ride-along with a field training officer (FTO) is required for each separate area (law enforcement, fire service and EMS).
D. Mississippi Emergency Telecommunicator Training Program - Curriculum development is only one portion of a comprehensive emergency telecommunicator training program. Other topics of a comprehensive training program include:
24. Field observation (ride-along)
Rule 8.2 Policy
1. The Board-approved Emergency Telecommunications Training Program shall include classroom activity and subsequent field observation (ride-along). Standards for successful completion of the ETTP program include:
A. A passing academic score as determined by the course vendor,
B. First-hand experience of field observation in an 8-hour ride along in a respective vehicle area of certification (law enforcement, fire or emergency medical). Those agencies which do not allow a telecommunicator ride-along with a field training officer, shall provide an alternative orientation program.
Rule 8.3 Procedures
1. This section establishes procedures governing the admission, attendance, scoring, and completion of Emergency Telecommunicator training.
F. Field observation (ride-along) is required of all Emergency Telecommunicators. The field observation may be conducted with the Telecommunicator’s local agency provided there is adequate call volume and activity to provide an effective learning experience. In communities with less activity, consideration should be given to attaining field observation experience with more active agencies. The field observation (ride- along) should provide an overview of regulations and standard field operating procedures, recommendations pertaining to emergency vehicle operation; provide an understanding of all records and reporting systems and forms utilized by the agency; promote efficient and proper use of all radio communications equipment and systems that the public safety officer of EMT will utilize. A minimum of (8) hours of (ride- along) with a field training officer (FTO) is required for each separate area (law enforcement, fire service and EMS).
Rule 10.2 Policy
1. The Board shall evaluate each applicant’s documented record of experience and
training. The accomplishments in each area shall be weighed to compare the applicant’s credentials with the current standards for professional certification.
A. The state certification of any emergency telecommunicator shall lapse after a break in service of more than four years. Telecommunicators who have successfully completed a training course equivalent (as deemed by the Board staff) to the currently accepted Board courses, have completed the Eight-Hour Ride Along and meet established employment guidelines, will be eligible for certification upon completion of the required paperwork.
Rule 11.3 Procedures
C. Approval of New Course(s): Instructors submitting new courses for Board approval must make a short presentation before the Board describing the course objectives. Board members may present the course objectives of a course proposed by their agency. If the Board determines that the course meets the training needs of a telecommunicator, the Board will approve the course to be taught as a pilot program. This course must be taught within one year of approval or the instructor must request an extension from the Board. The staff or board member will monitor all proposed courses and bring their findings back to the Board for final action. Existing courses will be evaluated on an ongoing basis. Course approval requests by instructors from government/non-profit organizations or out of state may be submitted with their professional credentials and course objectives to a Board or staff member for presentation. The instructor must submit prior to presentation, a lesson plan including course overview; a bound student manual; an instructor manual – containing notes; power points (with videos and audio); handouts; written synopsis of scenarios or tabletops; test with answer key indicating the slide or page number the information may be found; one additional training aid; sample copy of completion certificate; and an authorization letter if copyright material is used.
Rule 12.3 Procedures
d. Elective training may consist of in-house approved virtual/online training if so
desired by an agency. Proof of training shall be maintained by the agency in its personnel files and copies of training outlines, certificates, or course descriptions must be attached to the “In House Online Training Report” when submitted to the Board for credit. In-house Virtual/Online elective training shall not exceed two (2) credits (eight [8] hours per credit) per re-certification period. A separate form must be submitted for each eight (8) hours of credit. Examples of in-house training – online training, agency protocol, classes not approved as electives by the Board. The reimbursement of in-house virtual/online training only includes the telecommunicator’s salary unless the training has been approved by the Board and approved tuition.
D. Any persons, who due to illness, class availability or other events beyond their control, that could not attend the required two-day course in the third year or complete the required elective training, may serve with full pay and benefits in such a capacity until they can complete the training. Those requesting an extension of their time must petition the Board in writing and also must note how much re-certification training has been completed at that point in time.
E. Break-in-Service: There is herein established a set of re-certification guidelines for those state certified emergency telecommunicators who leave the profession and later return.
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Telecommunicators who have a break-in-service of four years or more shall be required to complete the same certification requirements as those who are new to the profession. This shall include completing a basic course and orientation course (unless the orientation course was completed before the break) for law enforcement and fire certification and/or the EMD basic/CPR course and the appropriate eight-hour field observations for EMD certification.
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Telecommunicators who have a break-in-service of less than four years shall meet re-certification requirements within one year of being rehired. Telecommunicators who have a break-in-service of more than two years but less than four years shall be required to complete the 16-Hour Orientation course. Any training requirements completed after the most recent certification date and prior to the break-in-service shall count towards re-certification.
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If a telecommunicator’s certification lapses during their break-in-service, they shall have twelve (12) months upon return to complete re-certification requirements.
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If a telecommunicator returns to the profession while their certification is still current, the certification period shall be extended an amount of time equal to the break-in-service but not to exceed twelve (12) months.
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BASIC GUIDELINES FOR EMERGENCY TELECOMMUNICATORS
1. Requirements for Initial Certification
a. Submit “Application for Certification” within thirty (30) days of date of hire.
b. Complete the MS Emergency Telecommunications 16-hour Orientation Course within ninety (90) days of date of hire.
c. Complete an approved forty (40) hour Basic Certification Course within twelve (12)
months of date of hire. (APCO, IAED, NECI) (Online Basic not allowed)
d. Emergency Medical Service telecommunicators must also complete an approved EMD Basic Course (APCO, IAED, NECI) within twelve (12) months of date of hire and must have current certification in CPR. Online EMD Basic is approved for APCO & IAED.
e. Submit Basic Vendor’s Certificate of Completion, Basic EMD Vendor’s Certificate of Completion (if applicable), CPR Certificate (if applicable), Orientation Certificate of Completion.
f. Telecommunicator must be certified within twelve (12) months of date of hire.
g. After twelve (12) months of service, if the telecommunicator is not certified, the agency is prohibited from paying the salary of the telecommunicator and any person violating this subsection of the law shall be personally liable for making such payment.
h. Certificates issued by the Board shall expire three (3) years from the date of certification.
i. Persons that dispatch over eight (8) hours per month must be certified.
2. Requirements for Re-certification
a. Before the expiration of the certificate: Complete six (6) credits (electives) of subject area training during three (3) year certification period (subject area credits require a minimum of four (4) hours of elective training) (subject areas must be approved by Board).
b. Complete at least forty- eight (48) hours of elective training.
c. Submit “Application for Re-certification”.
d. Submit “Re-certification Report”. Attach proof of completion of six (6) electives and forty-eight (48) hours of elective training.
3. Reimbursement Claims
a. Agencies must submit a reimbursement claims form within ninety (90) days of
completion of training. Claim may be submitted immediately following completion of the course with proper documentation. (Initial certification claims cannot be issued until all requirements are met for certification.) Reimbursements can only be issued from funds appropriated by the Legislature. Incomplete claim requests can drastically delay the processing of the claim.
b. All itemized expense receipts must be attached to the reimbursement claim form.
c. Course certificates of completion and course evaluation forms completed by the student must be attached for each course taken.
d. When funds are available, BETST is authorized to reimburse for meals, lodging, travel, course fees (tuition) and salary (if in compliance) during the time spent training, upon successful completion of an approved course.
e. Reimbursement requests will be on a first come first-served basis, which shall be determined by the date of the request.
f. Please see the BETST calendar for approved course times and locations and for other reimbursement requirements. Only BETST approved courses are reimbursable.
4. Out of State Travel
a. All out of state travel must be approved in writing thirty (30) days prior to attending training if reimbursement or credits will be requested. Approval may be based on available funding.
5. Termination from Telecommunicator Duty
a. Agency must notify Board (Termination/Reassignment Form) within ten (10) days when a telecommunicator leaves such duty by reassignment, retirement, resignation, etc. Certificate must accompany the form.
These guidelines are provided for quick reference to rules. For complete rules of the BETST, please see BETST PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATION POLICY AND PROCEDURES MANUAL.
www.dps.ms.gov/public-safety-planning/standards-and-training
Always provide name and number when submitting documents.