The 911 Center is staffed by civilian personnel and is a separate agency from the Police and Fire Departments. All new employees join the 911 Center as Emergency Communications Technician I (ECT I). They train in one of three disciplines—call-taking, Police dispatch or Fire dispatch—and ultimately cross-train in at least one of the others. Under general supervision, employees will operate a variety of radios, telephones, keyboards, computers and other electronic devices in the County 911 Center in order to receive and respond to requests for emergency assistance, and to dispatch Fire/EMS or Police units to alleviate situations that endanger or potentially endanger, lives and/or property in Baltimore County.