When someone hears that you’re a 9-1-1 operator, their mind immediately goes to the life-and-death calls. “Geez, that must be stressful,” they wonder aloud. While it’s true that some calls are overwhelming, it isn’t usually the calls or radio traffic that create the most stress. It’s something more pervasive. Below, Debra, a career 9-1-1 operator,…
Nothing can bring you peace but yourself. ~Ralph Waldo Emerson If you find yourself tense and anxious when your weekend arrives, it may be time to access some relaxation. Relaxation is the key to getting free of the old patterns of worry and frustration. When I talk about relaxation, I’m not talking about going…
What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us. ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson Do you remember the excitement and nervousness that accompanied going into the next grade in school, especially the first day of high school? High school! Would you cut the mustard? Would your old group of…
How you lead, and, more importantly, whether people follow, has more to do with who you are than your job title. Do you inspire others, or drag them down? Do you take ownership of your impact and make a difference, or do you leave that to someone else? In the policy-driven hierarchy that defines life…
Of the stressors at the 9-1-1 communications center, daily hassles create the most frustration. Sure, trauma from a critical incident can make the most ripples, but as these ripples subside, what are you left with? The day-in, day-out grind of callers, politics, and policies. When you started the job, you had no idea it would…
It’s tough work being a 9-1-1 telecommunicator these days. Mandatory overtime, more work with less people, and the very nature of handling emergencies everyday combine to create a sometimes overwhelming culture of negativity. Many believe that “this is just how it is.” The stats confirm the challenges of the situation. 98% of emergency dispatchers leave the…
