Personality and Leadership as Dispatcher Retention Tools

For over thirty years rapid technological advances, combined with increases in population and demographic shifts, have been among drivers of growth in 9-1-1 telecommunicator occupations. In the past decade, dispatcher retention has been further exacerbated by rapid telecommunication advancements, dynamic environmental stressors, and high-technology occupational opportunities. These change factors have resulted in an increased emphasis on E 9-1-1 staffing issues; they have created a need for employee retention strategies This case study examined relationships between personality and retention of 9-1-1 emergency telecommunicators. The study evaluates linkages between individual characteristics, contextual performance, servant leadership, and person-job fit, as related to dispatcher retention. Findings indicate significant relationships do exist between personality and employee retention, person-job fit, contextual performance, and servant leadership traits expressed as contextual performance in the sites examined. Further, findings of this study provide a sound case for on-going investigation of relationships between personality, Servant Leadership, and dispatcher retention.