OPCD Welcomes Recruitment Class 23-02
New Orleans, LA (April 14, 2023) The Orleans Parish Communication District (OPCD) is proud to welcome its newest recruitment class of future first responders. These recruits will complete the agency’s 16-week academy full of academically rigorous coursework, skills assessments, certification exams, and final on-the-job evaluation by a certified training specialist. Upon graduation these individuals will join the rank of OPCD heroes that save lives every day, answering over 1.2 million calls, annually.
“Being under the headset and in the public safety industry, in general, is not easy. It comes with personal sacrifices, and it bears a level of responsibility that we don’t take lightly at OPCD,” says Director of Training and Compliance, Teresa Thompson. “It is important to me to give these individuals all the necessary tools to succeed in this role and in this field, through providing adequate training and support so that they can serve the callers who are experiencing or witnessing a life-threatening emergency.”
Training and Compliance Supervisor, Melinda Guerra echoes Thompson’s thoughts and explains that “most people are surprised at how much training is necessary to become an Emergency Communication Specialist.”
“During the 16-week training, they earn multiple certifications, including CPR and Stop The Bleed, as well as FEMA certifications in Incident Command and the National Incident Management System, just to name a few. They also have plenty of coursework to complete,” says Guerra.
“The role of Emergency Communications Specialist isn’t easy but those who choose it day after day speak of a feeling of reward, a sense of purpose, and a larger calling to serve their community. I look forward to seeing this next class graduate and #SHOWUP for their community,” says Thompson.
For those of you who are looking to be of service to your community, the Emergency Communications Specialist role may be for you. If you are interested in learning about the role and what it means to #SHOWUP here at OPCD visit opcdla.gov/careers or come to the OPCD main campus on Wednesdays anytime from 10 AM to 6 PM to take the pre-employment test. Government-issued photo identification is required.
About Orleans Parish Communications District (www.OPCDLA.gov)
Formed in 1982, the Orleans Parish Communication District is the public safety answering point (PSAP) for all emergency communications via 9-1-1 within Orleans Parish. The agency employs over 180 individuals and provides emergency medical dispatch, emergency fire dispatch, and emergency police dispatch for the millions of annual visitors and residents of the City of New Orleans. OPCD is a member of the Association of Public Safety Communication Officials (APCO) and the National Emergency Number Association (NENA).