This four-hour course will serve as an introduction to Tactical Dispatching. Students will learn the roles and responsibilities of a Tactical Dispatcher and gain an understanding of the ICS and NIMS structure and systems. The primary objective of the course is to illustrate the importance of the Tactical Dispatcher's function within the command structure and provide tools to assist responders in a tactical environment. Upon completion of this course, the participant will be able to:
Understand the elements of a high-risk incident
Define core team responsibilities
Utilize dry erase boards and manage radio traffic
Participate in intelligence gathering
Outline the ICS & NIMS system
Be familiar with tactical equipment and tactical forms
Have knowledge of the skills needed in the tactical environment for dispatch
The cost is $150 per person; SNC Approved (MNA2025-6070). The class will run from 8 am to noon in our virtual classroom featuring live instruction and interaction with faculty and other students.
Faculty: Rich Thacker brings over 19 years of dispatch experience to MACNLOW courses, including 16 years at Eaton County Central Dispatch where he served as CTO, supervisor, and training coordinator. A CMCP and ENP-certified professional who also has a military police background and three Army Commendations for Meritorious Service, Rich instructs in MACNLOW's Basic and Advanced 40-Hour Dispatch Schools along with specialized courses on Active Shooter Incidents, Tactical Dispatching, the Opioid Crisis in Dispatch, and more. A highly-rated instructor with hundreds of five-star reviews, Rich infuses his expertise, energy, and humor into every class.
