Course Descriptions
Public Safety Communications
Number sequencingbelow the course name means the following: first digit designates the number of lecture hours for the course; the second digit designates the number of lab, clinic or practicum hours; and the third digit designates the credit hours for the course.
PSC 101 Introduction to Public Safety Communications (3-0-3) This course offers an orientation in Public Safety Communications with a focused concentration on: the pre-hire process; pre-training for employment; the workplace environment; and the language of Public Safety Communications. Specific instruction will include, pre-hire requirements; expectations of potential employers; résumé construction; interview and selection process; introduction of codes, terms, and communication used in the public safety setting; and basic radio broadcast instruction.
PSC 102 Seminar in Public Safety Communications (3-0-3) This seminar will familiarize students with public safety operations with a focus on roles and responsibilities of public safety communicators, technology, terminology, and techniques. Topics include ethics; vital services; policies and procedures; risk management; NH E911; police, fire, and medical dispatching; and the interoperability of multiple service agents. When appropriate, the opportunity is taken to visit relevant agencies.
PSC 201 Advanced Public Safety Communications (3-0-3) In this course, students will learn, practice, and become proficient in call classification, analysis, input and broadcasting. Additional topics include software applications, liability, critical incidents, and stress management. (Prerequisites: PSC 101 and 102)
PSC 270 Public Safety Communications Internship (0-13-4) The internship offers the opportunity to apply learned theory to practice in the actual work environment. The student is responsible for seeking out the agency placement with the assistance of the course instructor. The internship requires the completion of a mandatory minimum number of hours. A log is kept by the hosting agency, and the final grade is based on a combination of the log, supervising agency assessment, and students' final analytical report containing identifiable procedures, technologies, and organization of the host agency. (Prerequisites: successful completion of PSC 101 and 102 and permission of the Co-Department Heads of the Public Safety Communications program or their designee.)
Revised May 12, 2008