Check on Your Dispatcher
Written by Valerie Minor, MS, originally published on March 11, 2023 - 911der Women Pulse
Dear 911 Responder,
With 13 years of experience under the headset, I understand how important your role is as a first responder. Being the first point of contact for individuals in crisis, your ability to handle high-stress situations with skill and professionalism is essential for effective emergency response. I also know that the nature of your work can be emotionally taxing, and the cumulative impact of orchestrating response to traumatic events can lead to burnout and other mental health challenges. That's why it's crucial for you to support one another and prioritize your own well-being.
One way to support each other is by checking in on one another. We status check our officers, medics, and firefighters out in the field, why not status check those on the same side of the radio and phone as you? This status check can involve a range of activities, from simply asking how someone is doing to engaging in more in-depth conversations about work-related stress and personal challenges. However, it's important that leadership also provides ways to facilitate checking-in. Here are five ways leadership can encourage checking in on one another:
Peer support groups: These groups bring dispatchers together to share experiences, offer support, and build relationships with one another.
Regular debriefing sessions: These sessions provide an opportunity for dispatchers to talk about particularly difficult or stressful calls, and to receive feedback and support from their colleagues.
Wellness programs: These programs can include things like stress-management training, mental health counseling, and exercise or mindfulness classes, all of which can help dispatchers manage the emotional toll of their work.
Social events: Simply spending time together outside of work can help dispatchers build relationships and create a sense of community, which can be a powerful source of support during difficult times.
Employee assistance programs: These programs offer confidential support for employees dealing with personal or work-related challenges, including mental health issues and stress management.
In addition to the benefits for the 911 responders (aka dispatchers) as an individual, there are also broader organizational benefits to checking in on one another. When dispatchers feel supported and connected, they are more likely to work collaboratively and effectively, which can lead to better outcomes for those in crisis. Also, when one feels valued and supported by their colleagues and leadership, they are more likely to remain in their positions, reducing turnover and increasing the stability of the first responder system as a whole.
Checking in on one another also helps reduce the stigma around mental health challenges in the workplace. By normalizing conversations about mental health and emotional well-being, it creates an environment where everyone is more likely to seek support when needed and encourage their colleagues to do the same.
Remember that you play a critical role as a first responder, and your work can take a significant toll on your emotional well-being. Checking in on one another is a simple yet effective way to support each other and prioritize well-being. By checking on your dispatch coworkers we can build a stronger, more resilient community that can better handle the challenges of your work.
Thank you for your dedication and service to our community. This poem is for you:
Check on the Dispatcher
Check on the dispatcher with the brightest of grins
Check on the dispatcher who's heard all the sins
Check on the dispatcher that's been giving you hell
Check on him now, while all is still well
Check on the dispatcher who guides all with grace
Check on the dispatcher who's seen the worst of this place
Check on the dispatcher that no longer speaks up
Check on her now, before she gives up
Check on the dispatcher who's working long hours
Check on the dispatcher whose voice overpowers
Check on the dispatcher who's been there for years
Check on him now, and ask him his fears
Check on the dispatcher that aced all the training
Check on the dispatcher that's always complaining
Check on the dispatcher who's always been kind
Check on her now, to calm her fraught mind
Check on the dispatcher who's juggling so much
Check on the dispatcher whose spirit seems crushed
Check on the dispatcher that has fallen behind
Check on them now, checking-in is so kind
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Thank you, Valerie for sharing your with us. If you are interested in writing a blog, please email amanda@911derwomen.com. Sign up for our newsletter on our homepage to stay up to date with 911der Women programming, exclusive content and blog updates. Click here and scroll to the bottom.
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