Batesburg Leesville High School students make history by earning Emergency Telecommunicator Certific

Batesburg-Leesville, SC - Law II students at B-L High School recently became the first students in Lexington School District Three to earn their Emergency Telecommunicator Certifications. The ETC program, which is produced by the National Academies of Emergency Dispatch (NAED) and was taught by B-L High School teacher Aqkwele Polidore, is 40 hours long and is designed to help individuals become familiar with emergency communication centers, emergency telecommunication technology, legal issues and job stress factors. Such topics as caller management, the roles/responsibilities of an emergency telecommunicator, and interpersonal communication are covered in the course.

With an Emergency Telecommunicator Certification, students are now qualified to work in any 911 call center as a dispatcher, therefore serving as lifelines for individuals in emergency situations. According to an article that was published on USA Today’s website back in September, emergency dispatchers are in high demand and short supply, thus giving the students who earned this certification a competitive edge in the workforce if they choose this as a career path.

“We could not be more proud of these students for earning their Emergency Telecommunicator Certification. This is just one example of how B-L High School is working toward the goals of the Profile of the South Carolina Graduate and making sure that every student who leaves Lexington Three is college or career-ready,” said Sonya Bryant, Principal of BLHS.

The Emergency Telecommunicator Certification is valid for two years. Following that time frame, recertification is required.