The Basic Communications Officer Training course is for individuals employed by a state or local government agency who receive, process, and transmit public safety information and dispatch law enforcement, firefighters, medical, or emergency management personnel. The work of a communications officer requires a high standard because it is the vital link between the community and public safety responders. Upon meeting the prerequisites listed below, candidates may enroll in the Georgia Public Safety Training Center (GPSTC) Basic Communications Officer Training, a 40-hour program. After a candidate has completed the program, they are eligible for Georgia Peace Officer Standards and Training Council (POST) certification.



Prerequisites

Communications Officers in Georgia must complete and have an approved communications officer application with GA POST before being accepted into the GPSTC Basic Communications Officer Training Program. Students must be in good standing with GA POST and eligible to complete certification training. Additionally, active agency sponsorship is required.

Basic Communications Officer Training Program Highlights

Length of Program: 40 Hours (1 week)

Tuition: FREE for new Public Safety Communications Officers (Telecommunicators) employed by a state or local government agency in Georgia, within six months of the agency start date. A tuition fee of $600 ($15 per credit hour) for those employed longer than six months or who have previously failed to complete the course minimum standards. Once paid, tuition cannot be refunded.

Special considerations:  Registration for each course is available 90 days before the start of the listed calendar date. Once a student is registered for a class, they will automatically be shown as “Waiting to be Selected by Coordinator.” If not selected, the student will then show “waiting list” status when the course coordinator completes student selection for that class date. Student selection for each course offering is completed four (4) to six (6) weeks before the start date of the class. The course coordinator may offer or suggest alternative course dates to agencies to help accommodate all students awaiting acceptance to the course.

Dates Offered: View dates the program is offered

Locations offered: GPSTC Forsyth

Questions?

Contact the Georgia Fire Academy at GPSTC’s main campus in Forsyth, GA.