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.