Life as a 9-1-1 Dispatcher
Being a 911 dispatcher is more than a job to me. It's a commitment and it's a responsibilty. Dispatching has its good days and its bad days. When I wake up in the morning have I know where I am going, what to do when I get there but I never know exactly what's going to happen. I think that is one of the reasons I enjoy dispatching. It's something familiar but never the same.
Dispatching is more than answering a phone and telling officers, paramedics and firefighters where to go. You have to be alert, responsive and definitely be able to multi-task. I honestly don't believe that anyone can really understand or appreciate the value of a dispatcher until they have been one or set in a full day and watched.
Being a dispatcher, you must be able to cope with emergency situations and be able to process things quickly. You must be able to leave your emotions at the door. Heart felt sympathy can sometimes make things worst. If you are an emotional person it's going to be hard for you to answer a call when a mother is screaming that her child is not breathing. You must be able to assess the situation and follow protocols with out missing a simple step while knowing that a child is dying and what actions you take will either help or make it worse.
Another important factor of being a 9-1-1 dispatcher has nothing to do with an actual call. You must be able to work shift work. I am positive that there is no such thing as a 9-1-1 dispatcher center that pulls a nine to five. You must also be able to give up your plans and stop what ever you are doing in the event that you are called to duty for such things as a hurricane, terrorist attack, raging flood, a huge wildfire, devastating tornado, or any other natural disaster that would call for an emergency activation! And you can bet that if it requires FEMA, it will require you to work long hours for several days in a row. Sometimes causing you to go days with out making it home at night or even seeing your family.
While there is a lot of hard work, and sometimes rough days, being 9-1-1 dispatcher has its ultimate rewards. In addition to the profession being a city, county or state job, it usually comes with a moderate salary and benefits. But the ultimate pay off comes with knowing that you helped save a life, or coached a panicked husband through childbirth over the phone. These are the things that make it all worth while at the end of the day!
Published by Stephanie Manning
Stephanie Manning enjoys writing about various topics to include gardening, pregnancy, health, and business. View profile
- 911 Dispatcher Records Drug DealHumor: Police dispatcher eavesdrops on drug deal between supplier and dealer.
- Is 9-1-1 Dispatching Your Calling?9-1-1 dispatching is stressfull and, often times, physicaly challanging work. How to be sure this is for you
- How to Deal with a Car AccidentWe don't like to talk about them, but car accidents happen every day. Find out how you can deal with an accident you're involved in by reading this informative article today!
- How to Pay a Ransom for a Kidnapped Loved OneDo you know what to do if you are asked to pay a ransom for a child, relative or friend? If not, read on to find out what you should do, how to behave, and what safety guidelines to follow.
- How to Prepare Your Preschooler for EmergenciesNobody likes to think about a small child's being faced with an emergency. Yet it can happen, and on such occasions much depends on whether the child has learned a few simple skills.
- What Knowledge Helps When Seeking a 911 Dispatcher Job?
- 911 Dispatcher Saves Life of Choking Child Over Phone, Finds Out It's His Son Later
- What it Takes to Be an Emergency Dispatcher: Career Advice
- How Well Are the 911 Call Centers in the United States
- 911 is for Emergencies Only
- Cell Phones Aren't Toys and Calling 911 Isn't a Game
- Another Reason Why a Gun is Better Than 911