Training & Certifications

911 Communications: Training and Certifications

CTO PROGRAM - The Rutherford County 911 Communications Training Officer (CTO) program is a formal and structured training program that begins with the initial training of a new employee and continues throughout their career. Rutherford 911 training program is structured to follow the APCO CTO training program. This program is the process by which a new employee will gain the basic skills, knowledge, resources and support to enable them to succeed as a Telecommunicator. The CTO program is a training process which pairs a new employee with a certified CTO who will explain procedures, model procedures and monitor trainees until they are fully competent to operate as a solo Telecommunicator providing a professional service for citizens and visitors to Rutherford County and surroundings. 

CONTINUING EDUCATION - All Communications personnel are required to complete a minimum of 35 hours of in-service training each year. The topics covered during in-service training vary each year.

CERTIFICATIONS - All Telecommunicators are certified Emergency Telecommunicators with NC Sheriff Standards, or equivalent. They are also certified on the state and national level as Emergency Medical Dispatchers. Other mandatory certifications include CPR and DCI (Division of Criminal Information). 

                       

Rutherford County 911 Communictions
153 Sparks Dr. 
Forest City, NC 28043
Phone: 828-286-2911