Section 5.04 - Certification of Enhanced 911 TelecommunicatorsIn order to act as an enhanced 911 telecommunicator, an individual shall be certified in accordance with 560 CMR 5.00. These certification requirements shall apply to all individuals who act as an enhanced 911 telecommunicator, whether on a full-time or part-time basis, at a primary PSAP, regional PSAP, regional secondary PSAP (except a regional secondary PSAP that is operated by a private safety department), secondary PSAP (except a secondary PSAP that is operated by a private safety department), RECC, or wireless state police PSAP.
(1)Enhanced 911 Telecommunicators Certified on or before June 24, 2011. An enhanced 911 telecommunicator who is employed by a PSAP as a certified enhanced 911 telecommunicator on or before June 24, 2011 shall, in order to maintain certification as an enhanced 911 telecommunicator, successfully complete a minimum of16 hours of Department-approved continuing education annually commencing July 1, 2012, or the equivalent thereof as approved by the Department. A minimum of two hours of the annual 16-hour continuing education requirement shall be dedicated to the identification and response to callers experiencing behavioral health crises. Such training shall be developed in accordance with best practices in consultation with the Executive Office of Health and Human Services (EOHHS).(2)Enhanced 911 Telecommunicators Not Certified on or before June 24, 2011. An individual who is not employed by a PSAP as a certified enhanced 911 telecommunicator on or before June 24, 2011 shall obtain certification by the Department as an enhanced 911 telecommunicator by meeting the following qualifications:(a) successful completion of a minimum of two days of 911 equipment and basic telecommunicator training offered by the Department; and(b) successful completion of a minimum of 40 hours of Department-approved basic telecommunicator training, or the equivalent thereof as approved by the Department. A component of the education shall be on the identification and response to callers experiencing behavioral health crises. In order to maintain certification as an enhanced 911 telecommunicator, such person shall successfully complete thereafter a minimum of 16 hours of Department-approved continuing education annually, or the equivalent thereof as approved by the Department. A minimum of two hours of the annual 16-hour continuing education requirement shall be dedicated to the identification and response to callers experiencing behavioral health crises. Such training shall be developed in accordance with best practices in consultation with the Executive Office of Health and Human Services (EOHHS).
Amended by Mass Register Issue 1519, eff. 4/12/2024.