Emergency Communications and Response Certificate
Overview
Faculty of Health and Community Studies
Department of Public Safety and Justice Studies
MacEwan.ca/Emergency
In the increasingly complex field of emergency telecommunications, there is a need for personnel who have the ability to assess situations quickly and respond in an appropriate manner. Emergency communicators are the critical link between the public and those who provide police, fire and emergency medical assistance. As the field evolves, the need for highly skilled and knowledgeable professionals is critical. The field demands professionals who are able to multi-task, use high-tech equipment, think critically and quickly in a stressful setting, and respond to the challenges of the field.
The Emergency Communications and Response program develops the broad knowledge and skills required of call evaluators or dispatchers and the unique knowledge and skills in police, fire and emergency medical environments. The program is a full-time, eight-month certificate. Full-time program entry occurs each fall. The full-time program may be offered as a combination of day and evening courses. In the final month of the program, students participate in a short field placement that exposes them to different communication centres.
Career Potential
Challenging and rewarding careers as call evaluators or dispatchers can be found in police, fire or medical communication centres in provincial, federal or municipal settings. Many opportunities are also available in specialized public or private communication centres dealing with priority service requests.
Contact Information
T: 780-497-5726
E: emergencycommunications@macewan.ca
PROGRAM OFFICE
Robbins Health Learning Centre
Room 9-407, 10910 - 104 Avenue
Edmonton, AB T5J 4S2
T: 780-497-4567
Program of Study
| Term I | Credits | |
|---|---|---|
| ECRP 131 | Call Processing/Radio Communications | 3 |
| ECRP 141 | Emergency Communications I | 3 |
| PSSC 121 | Law and the Administration of Justice | 3 |
| PSYC 104 or PSYC 105 | Introductory Psychology I or Introductory Psychology II | 3 |
| Three credits of university English (includes WRIT 101) | 3 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Term II | ||
| ECRP 151 | Emergency Communications II | 3 |
| ECRP 161 | Emergency Planning | 2 |
| ECRP 171 | Field Placement | 2 |
| ECRP 172 | Integration Seminar | 1 |
| ECRP 181 | Document Processing in Emergency Communications | 1 |
| PSSC 141 | Interpersonal Skills | 3 |
| PSSC 212 | Mental Health Foundations in Public Safety | 3 |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Total Credits | 30 | |
The minimum passing grade for a course at MacEwan University is a D unless otherwise noted next to the appropriate course in the program of study.
Course Substitutions
| Credit Earned in: | May Be Substituted for Credit in Program Course: |
|---|---|
| INTD 105 | PSSC 141 |
Program Regulations
Academic Residency - Exemption
A student in Emergency Communications and Response must complete at least 30 per cent of courses through MacEwan University. Challenge examinations, transfer credit and other special assessments (for example, prior learning and recognition) are not included in the 30 per cent.
Program Standards
Students admitted to this program are presumed to be capable of fulfilling the academic requirements of their program with, if applicable, provision of reasonable accommodation. The reasonable accommodation of students with disabilities shall not require the University to lower its standards, academic or otherwise, nor shall it relieve a student of the responsibility to develop and demonstrate the essential skills and competencies expected of all students pursuing this program (policy E3400, Students with Disabilities).
Regulations Governing Field Placement (Work Integrated Learning)
Students must achieve satisfactory performance in all field placement courses in accordance with the course learning outcomes and grading criteria. Field placement hours may include days, evenings and weekends. Students are required to arrange their own transportation for required field placement activities and any costs incurred for meals, travel and accommodation are the student’s responsibility. Students will require daily access to a vehicle for any practice experience not accessible through public transportation. Required field placements will generally be within a 150 kilometer radius of the MacEwan University site.
Students cannot be in attendance at field placement agencies as a MacEwan University student except at times and locations authorized by the field placement course instructor for the course in which the student is currently enrolled. Students must comply with policy C2060 Work Integrated Learning regarding field placements. Students must have completed all prerequisite courses as well as all program and agency specific requirements prior to the start of any field placement course. In accordance with policy C2060 Work Integrated Learning, the University reserves the right, at any point during a field placement, to remove a student from the placement for serious performance issues (i.e., engaging in behaviour that places a client and/or others at risk or that is contrary to the professional or safety requirements of the placement). In such cases and with the concurrence of the Dean, the student will be assigned a grade of F in the course. Although this decision may be appealed according to policy E3103 Student Appeals, the student will not be permitted to remain in the field placement during the appeal.
Police Information Check
A student must meet the specific police information check requirements as set out in the admission criteria for the duration of the program or they may be required to withdraw from the program.