(A) A person may obtain certification as an emergency service telecommunicator by successfully completing a basic course of emergency service telecommunicator training that is conducted by the state board of education under section 4742.02 of the Revised Code. The basic course of emergency service telecommunicator training shall include, but not be limited to, both of the following:

(1) At least forty hours of instruction or training;

(2) Instructional or training units in all of the following subjects:

(a) The role of the emergency service telecommunicator;

(b) Effective communication skills;

(c) Emergency service telecommunicator liability;

(d) Telephone techniques;

(e) Requirements of the "Americans With Disabilities Act of 1990," 104 Stat. 327, 42 U.S.C. 12101, as amended, that pertain to emergency service telecommunicators;

(f) Handling hysterical and suicidal callers;

(g) Informing individuals who call about an apparent drug overdose about the immunity from prosecution for a minor drug possession offense created by section 2925.11 of the Revised Code;

(h) Law enforcement terminology;

(i) Fire service terminology;

(j) Emergency medical service terminology;

(k) Emergency call processing guides for law enforcement;

(l) Emergency call processing guides for fire service;

(m) Emergency call processing guides for emergency medical service;

(n) Radio broadcast techniques;

(o) Disaster planning;

(p) Police officer survival, fire or emergency medical service scene safety, or both police officer survival and fire or emergency medical service scene safety.

(B) A person may maintain certification as an emergency service telecommunicator by successfully completing at least eight hours of continuing education coursework in emergency service telecommunicator training during each two-year period after a person first obtains the certification referred to in division (A) of this section. The continuing education coursework shall consist of review and advanced training and instruction in the subjects listed in division (A)(2) of this section.

(C) If a person successfully completes the basic course of emergency service telecommunicator training described in division (A) of this section, the state board of education or a designee of the board shall certify the person's successful completion. The board shall send a copy of the certification to the person and to the emergency service provider by whom the person is employed.

If a person successfully completes the continuing education coursework described in division (B) of this section, the state board of education or a designee of the board shall certify the person's successful completion. The board shall send a copy of the certification to the person and to the emergency service provider by whom the person is employed.

Amended by 131st General Assembly File No. TBD, HB 110, §1, eff. 9/13/2016.

Effective Date: 11-05-1997 .