Dr. Violet Rymshaw, CEO of Innovative Writing and former emergency dispatcher for police, fire, and EMS, discusses her research on the distinct needs of emergency dispatcher wellness. She talks about stressful calls and center culture as well as small steps to take toward improving the profession overall.
Edel Burton, clinical hospital pharmacist and PhD scholar in the School of Public Health at University College Cork, discusses her research about pre-hospital care terminology and measurements. Your agency’s definition of “on scene” may be different from other agencies’ definitions, and Burton’s research will make it easier for agencies to compare their data.
Alexia Jobson, REMSA Health’s Director of Public Relations, is here to help you prepare for National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week (April 9–15). Her ideas go beyond food-based appreciation and will open your eyes to other methods to try with your emergency dispatchers, as well as provide ideas to help you fund them.
Jaci Fox, quality assurance specialist and the Police Lead with QPR, discusses the best way to handle calls about impaired driving, including why it occurs, whether it includes driving while high, and the importance of updating the location in cases of moving violations.
Jason Barbour, Public Safety Specialist at Priority Dispatch Corp., discusses the Police Priority Dispatch System CADE Tool. What is it? Who should use it? And what are the benefits of using it?
Angela Huddle, a member of the IAED’s Police Council of Standards with over 27 years in the 911 industry, discusses some common mistakes she’s seen emergency dispatchers make when handling police calls.
Super-nerd Kevin Pagenkop talks about the very necessary, very fun Halloween protocols that he created—Protocol 28: Zombies, Protocol 47: Monsters, and Protocol 666: Vampires.
Bonnie Guzman, 911 dispatcher for Hancock County 911 in Hancock, Indiana, and Richard VanOsdol, Sergeant with Hancock County Police Department, recount their successful baby delivery from both sides of the call.
Melissa Colon, CTO, Lieutenant, ETC instructor, and Q with Manatee County Emergency Communications Center, and Heather Hedgcock, QA Coordinator, Captain/Supervisor, ETC Instructor, and Q, discuss customer service skills. They outline how to professionally interrupt the caller, give examples of phrases you can use to sound polite and firm, and approach calltakers who lose their patience.
Dr. Paul Bourgeois, PhD, CRC, NCC, and Director of the Clinical Mental Health Counseling Programs at the University of New Haven, discusses his research into emergency dispatcher mental health. He talks about parallels between emergency dispatchers and counselors as well as first steps in improving the mental health climate in your agency.
