ARLINGTON, Texas, March 6, 2026 — The North Central Texas Emergency Communications District (NCT9-1-1) graduated nine licensed 9-1-1 telecommunicators from its Regional Telecommunicator Academy (RTA) Class #020 on March 6 in Arlington. The graduation also marks the 10th anniversary of the Regional Telecommunicator Academy, a program established to strengthen 9-1-1 training across the region and prepare the next generation of 9-1-1 telecommunicators for the critical role they play in emergency response. This class includes recruits from eight different agencies, including:
- Wise Co So
- Greenville PD
- Cleburne PD
- Decatur PD
- Hutchins PD
- Balch Springs PD
- Rockwall Co SO
- Dallas College PD
The graduating recruits have completed a rigorous four-week program that teaches equipment use, state mandates and regulations, how to handle emergency communications situations such as active shootings, and more. Texas is the only state in the country that requires its 9-1-1 telecommunicators to be licensed alongside peace officers and jailers, and NCT9-1-1 hosts the only 9-1-1 telecommunicator academy in the state.
“As we celebrate the 20th academy and the 10-year anniversary of the Regional Telecommunicator Academy, we are deeply proud of the training and support we provide to our recruits,” said NCT9-1-1 Training Coordinator Bret Batchelor. “Over the past decade, the RTA has helped prepare 9-1-1 telecommunicators for the evolving demands of public safety. In today’s rapidly changing landscape, it’s more important than ever to equip recruits not only with the technical skills needed for the job, but also the emotional resilience required to navigate the complexities of the role. By fostering a culture of support, adaptability, and mentorship, we are preparing 9-1-1 telecommunicators to thrive in their careers and continue guiding the future of 9-1-1.”
The program has graduated recruits from all over Texas since its inception in February of 2016 and continues to grow with classes held twice a year in the winter and summer.
About the North Central Texas Emergency Communications District
The North Central Texas Emergency Communications District (NCT9-1-1) is responsible for 40 plus Emergency Communications Centers (ECCs) in the 14 counties surrounding the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex. The district supports these ECCs through maintaining and upgrading 9-1-1 equipment, providing up-to-date mapping information, training 9-1-1 telecommunicators, educating the public on the proper use of 9-1-1, and monitoring ECC functionality and compliances. NCT9-1-1 serves a population of 2 million and 9,800+ square miles.