Eugene (KMTR) - Call it a sign of the times. It was standing room only at a 911 emergency dispatcher career night in Eugene.
Dozens of people crowded the Emergency Services Training Center Wednesday night to learn more about what it takes to be a call taker or dispatcher—like ten-hour workdays, graveyard shifts and a different situation to defuse every day.
The criteria discouraged some, while others, like Patti Meyers, said they are up for the challenge.
"I don't like the monotony of always knowing you're just sitting there behind a desk scheduling an appointment,” Meyers said. “This is much more than that, because we're giving back to the community and I’m going to help somebody. And just knowing that is good enough for me."
Salaries for 911 dispatchers range from $17.85 to $25.15 an hour, plus benefits.
Applications are still being taken on line at the City of Eugene’s Web site.
