More detail on these occupations is available in the statements that follow. Working conditions vary considerably by occupation and employment setting. The work of dispatchers can be very hectic when a large number of calls come in at the same time. The job of public safety dispatcher is particularly stressful because slow or improper response to a call can result in further destruction of property, serious injury, or death. Despite provocations, the dispatcher must remain calm, objective, and in control of the situation.
Dispatchers work inside in surroundings that are typical of office jobs.
They sit for long periods, often using telephones, computers, and two-way radios. If a lot of time is spent at a video display terminal, as is increasingly commonplace, they may experience eyestrain and back discomfort. Dispatchers generally work a standard 40-hour week. However, evening, weekend, and holiday work is common for those service providers who operate around the clock. Some employers rotate dispatchers among three shifts to divide daytime, weekend, and holiday work equally.