Annals of Emergency Dispatch & Response Logo

mental health

Stress & Wellbeing in Emergency Dispatchers

Paul J. Bourgeois, Ph.D., CRC, NCC, Emily Hotz, B.A., Sharon Kwok, B.A.

Aug 11, 2021|Research Posters

Police officers, fire fighters, and emergency medical personnel are recognized for their hard work as on-scene responders, however the role of emergency dispatch is easily overlooked. The stressors that are seen in emergency responder work are also experienced by emergency dispatchers. While they are not experiencing these emergencies directly, this presents unique struggles for them.

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Measuring the Impact of Training on Emergency Medical Dispatcher Management of General Mental Crisis Calls and Suicide Calls

Jim Marshall, MA, Daniel Ashwood, PhD, Angie Fox, Jim Soukup

May 29, 2020|AEDR 2020 Vol. 8 Issue 1|Original Research

Historically, 911 professionals have not received specialized training in dispatch and call management related to mental crises and suicidality. This lack of training may contribute to lack of confidence and elevated anxiety in successfully handling these call types. A new model of training, Emergency Mental Health Dispatching™ (EMHD), which aims to equip 911 professionals to manage these calls has been developed to address this need. The objective of this case study was to measure the impact of EMHD via two specific aims. The first aim...

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Impact of Work-Related Factors on Stress and Health among 911 Calltakers and Dispatchers in California

Kimberly D. Turner, MPA, ENP, Michele Lilly, Ana M. Gamez, PhD, MBA, Kassandra Kressler, MA

Apr 09, 2019|AEDR 2019 Vol. 7 Issue 1|Original Research

Empirical literature examining the health and wellness of emergency responders has continued to grow over the past decade. Yet there is a relative absence of literature on 911 telecommunicators, who are often the "first, first responders" in an emergency. Examination of work-related factors that enhance risk for stress and adverse outcomes may improve current prevention and intervention efforts in this population. Civilian 911 calltakers and dispatchers from the state of California (N = 833) participated in an online study to...

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