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NENA Releases Missing Persons Online Course

Posted: Jun 10 - 04:52 pm

Earlier this week, NENA introduced the first class in the association’s new Online Education Program. The Missing Persons for Telecommunicators course is designed to give public safety telecommunicators the knowledge and tools necessary to handle calls involving abductions, missing persons, runaway children, or found persons.

“When a person goes missing, the adage is that ‘every minute is a mile,’” said NENA CEO, Brian Fontes. “The reality is that missing person calls need to be handled correctly from the start. If they are not, then lives may be lost. This course is designed to provide emergency communications professionals with vital and affordable training that will help them do their jobs better every single day. I believe we have achieved this, and look forward to releasing additional web-based offerings in the near future.”

The Missing Persons for Telecommunicators class consists of six interactive 30-minute modules that explore all call-handling issues associated with persons who are considered to be at risk, including seniors and people with disabilities. Participants will learn about model policies and protocols designed to assist 9-1-1 center personnel in processing these calls the right way from the moment the call is answered, and will gain an understanding of their roles and responsibilities when handling missing person incidents. Topics including Amber Alerts, NCIC and CPIC entries, and organizing local law enforcement authorities are covered.

Course development was sponsored by Intrado, a 9-1-1 industry leader and long-time NENA partner. “We could not be more proud to have played a role in helping NENA create such a valuable public safety resource,” said Intrado Senior VP of Strategic Industry Relations and NENA Liaison to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC), William Hinkle. “There is nothing more important than protecting children. This course is an essential tool in our efforts to prepare all of our nation’s 9-1-1 call takers to deal with reports of missing children and other at-risk persons.”
 
Missing Persons for Telecommunicators utilizes a hands-on approach that maximizes student participation and allows call takers to hear and participate in actual missing person calls. Class content was developed in conjunction with NCMEC, the National Academy of Emergency Dispatch (NAED), and the North Central Texas Council of Governments (NCTCOG). Powered by the CentreLearn Learning Management System, the course features “always on” 24/7 availability and the ability to start, stop, and resume the presentation. These features make the course the perfect training tool for telecommunicators, on-duty personnel, or any 9-1-1 center employee looking for affordable and convenient education solutions.
 
For more information or to sign up for the course, click here.