Carteret County needs 911 telecommunicators immediately
CARTERET COUNTY, N.C. (WITN) - Carteret County has a hard time hiring employees in various businesses and is concerned about having enough workers to service the influx of people expected during the upcoming summer season.
But now, the lack of applicants for county positions is becoming a public safety issue as Emergency Medical Services leaders say 911 operators are stretched too thin, with no room for employees even to take vacation time.
Those 911 operators are the first line of help when you’re in a crisis.
Most people automatically pick up the phone and call 911, the very operator who answers links you to the fire department, police, or EMS.
In Carteret County, employee positions are open, but county leaders say very few people are applying to become 911 operators, creating a safety concern.
Carteret County’s Emergency Services Director Stephen Rea says they’ve been aggressively recruiting in hopes to fill 911 telecommunicator positions.
He says he’s looking to fill eight positions with very few applicants.
EMS leaders explain this job is crucial when connecting people in dangerous situations to emergency personnel.
Morehead City Fire and EMS Chief Jamie Fulk said, “It’s extremely important. People’s lives are on the line here. When someone calls 911, that immediate assistance and clear directions are very important. we can’t make out without 911 telecommunicators.”
The East is seeing many employers having trouble getting people back to work too. Some attribute those staffing issues to unemployment benefits and stimulus checks.
Some people in the community also argue some of the jobs don’t pay enough. Rea said the telecommunicator job makes over $30,000 a year, including benefits and overtime, plus sick pay and vacation time.
You must type 35 words a minute and multitask, but besides, most other training is done in-house.
Neighboring Craven, Jones, Lenoir, and Onslow counties are not experiencing 911 telecommunicator position shortages at this time.
To learn more or apply for Carteret County positions, you can visit carteretcountync.gov.
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