(WASHINGTON, DC) – The Office of Unified Communications (OUC) announces the opening of the OUC Training Academy. On November 4, 2022, Acting Director Karima Holmes announced the Academy’s opening, and said, “We are thrilled to be able to further demonstrate the many ways the Agency evolves and embraces best practices as a premier emergency communications center.”

“OUC understands the rapidly evolving environment in today's emergency communications centers. Next-generation training is necessary to enhance the Agency's services to continue to make the safety of District residents our top priority” she continued. Accordingly, OUC’s Office of Professional Standards and Development (OPSD) re-imagined how to conduct Agency-wide training and institutionalized the OUC Training Academy. The Academy will:

• Consolidate all education and training classes and courses necessary for the success of all OUC team members. These courses include initial and continuing education courses for call-taking, dispatch, leadership, critical thinking, and many more.
• Provide enhanced education and training offerings to transform existing experience and skillsets to deliver Next Generation 911 and 311 (NG911/311) services to the District. NG911/311 is a digital, internet protocol (IP)-based system that replaces the analog infrastructure that has been in place for decades.
• Host interoperable regional training with courses offered by the Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials (APCO) and National Emergency Number Association (NENA), and other industry partners.

PERFORM is an acronym that captures the agency’s workforce development motto: Professional, Efficient, Resourceful, Focused, Open-minded, Resilient, and Motivated. The announcement of the launch of the OUC Training Academy was made at the culmination of the Agency’s first-ever PERFORM professional development conference held at the Unified Communications Center in Ward 8.

The First OUC course that will be offered by the OUC Training Academy is a five-day, highly specialized learning opportunity for emergency communications analysts, who will be responsible for increasing real time situational awareness across all disciplines on the operations floor. The first Academy class for new hires in 911 call-taking and dispatch positions will begin in the next few months.

Mayor Muriel Bowser has made tremendous investments in the Office of Unified Communications to ensure it is adequately staffed, continues to have leading-edge technology, and provides world-class training for the District’s emergency communication professionals and leaders. If you are interested in working at OUC, please visit careers.dc.gov.