On July 1, 2017, Senate Bill #1083 became law, culminating in Idaho Code 19-5101(f), 19-5116(1), and 19-5119.  Points of the law are:
 
  1. An emergency dispatcher, as defined in I.C. 19-5101(f), is now recognized as an Emergency Communications Officer.
  2. The minimum basic training required must be completed within 18 months of hire, or for those not already certified by POST in Idaho, must be completed prior to December 31, 2018.
  3. Anyone certified by Idaho POST under the prior voluntary certification program is considered certified and will not need to re-submit or re-attend training unless their local agency requires such.
  4. The minimum basic training is anticipated to be offered/delivered as a POST academy course, a regionally hosted academy course, and a web-based academy course.  (Implementation of these various options will take time, but all three options are anticipated)
  5. All Emergency Communications Officers (probationary, temporary, part-time, full time, and emergency) are required to meet the established hiring and training standards established by POST Council.
  6. The law also includes a continuing education credit requirement for ALL Idaho POST certified dispatchers.  As of July 1, 2017, ALL certified dispatchers must have 40-hours of continuing education training every two (2) years.  The continuing education training does NOT have to be POST approved training.
  7. Idaho POST Council is the only certifying agency for the Emergency Communications Officer vocation, in Idaho, and violations of Idaho POST’s Ethical Code of Conduct, to include violations of certain Idaho laws may result in decertification.  A decertified officer is unemployable in Idaho, and in many other states.
  8. Any Emergency Communications Officer employed after July 1, 2012, and not already POST certified, must achieve POST certification by December 31, 2018.
  9. Any Emergency Communications Officer employed prior to July 1, 2012, is exempt from complying with the new certification law unless their employing agency decides otherwise.  There is no grandfather clause. 
  10. The new certification law establishes the following Idaho POST certification levels:  Basic, Intermediate, Advanced, Supervisor, Master, and Management.  All prior certifications issued by POST (Level I, Level II, etc.) remain recognized historical certifications, but those levels no longer exist. 
  11. The Idaho PSAP Standards & Training Committee, through the Idaho Public Safety Communications Commission, is working hard to review/revise the POST basic dispatch academy learning objectives and curriculum.  They will remain responsible for the continuous monitoring and review of the curriculum, to ensure the best basic dispatch academy material for Idaho is being taught. 
These legislative changes brought forth changes to Idaho POST Communication Officer Certification

Emergency Communications Officer Certifications (IDAPA 11.11.01)
  • Basic, Intermediate, Advanced (Sections 196 thru 202)
  • Supervisor, Master, Management Certification (Sections 117 thru 119)
​See the below link for rules.