A report in the Altoona Mirror indicates that Blair Emergency Services Director Mark Taylor says that 6 open positions for dispatcher need to be filled, to bring the current roster up to 41 workers. All applicants must pass a test before being considered for the position. The test includes math, reading, spelling, decision making, memory recall, multi-tasking ability, data entry and map reading. Those that are selected will then go through 3-6 months of hands on training, then will work with a coach, then go solo. Many current dispatchers are working overtime to fill the void. Taylor said that dispatchers are the first responders during emergency calls.
