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Welcome to another episode of Within the Trenches, true stories from the 9-1-1 dispatchers who live them. Episode 386 features Jeff Troyer, Executive Director with Kalamazoo County Dispatch Authority and this is an INdigital exclusive episode

Over the last few weeks, two of the states for which we provide Core Services had some big things happen. The state of Alabama now has all of its PSAPs on the Alabama Next-Generation Emergency Network. In Indiana, all PSAPs have been upgraded to Texty 17.3. Both of these events help telecommunicators help their callers and communities.

Hello 911 Dispatchers,

My name is Sara Leazenby; I am a CPE Trainer at INdigital (if you started using Solacom in the last 4 ½ years, chances are I was one of your trainers). Before joining INdigital, I was a 911 Dispatcher for almost 20 years; needless to say, I’ve been in your seat before and know the sacrifices you make and the stress and hard work that goes into being a 911 Dispatcher.

I want to take a moment to share my sincere appreciation for the job you do every day. In addition to my experience as a 911 Dispatcher, I am also a “cop wife.” I am always grateful that you are watching over our police officers, firefighters, medics, etc., in the field.

Know that you are valuable and valued, as you have a job that not many people can do, but above all, you are greatly appreciated for keeping our loved ones and communities safe as you are the FIRST first responders. I know you rarely get thanked and often receive grief from those having the worst day of their lives, yet you keep doing what you must do to get them the proper help they need and keep all involved safe; I know it typically is not an easy task, but grateful you keep doing it!

Often you are working on your days off, 12, 16, or even longer hour days (probably getting comp time you can never use instead of overtime pay that you probably could use), you are sleep deprived, stressed, and maybe sad when you miss memorable events at home… Yet you show up, you answer the call, and you do your job. Stress is the ever-present black cloud hovering over you as you do a job you love. Please, never be afraid to ask for help! As I stated above, you are valuable, and you are valued, and my prayer is that every one of you takes care of yourselves and stays healthy, both mentally and physically.

Again, I cannot thank you enough for all you do and all you endure to keep us safe. Please celebrate yourselves and enjoy your special week and hold on to it all year long. Even when you don’t hear it, we APPRECIATE YOU! You’re the glue that holds it all together, and it wouldn’t work without you!

Happy National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week!

Thank you ALWAYS!!

Sara Leazenby

When you think about the word “preparedness,” what comes to mind? What types of things do you prepare for most? A child starting school for the very first time, a marriage proposal, purchasing your first car, or a new home? What about your safety as you walk into a grocery store, exercising at your local park, getting behind the wheel to start your day? As public safety personnel, there are a few other things we need to prepare for every day we walk into work – inclement weather, are you prepared for it?

Telecommunicators in 911 centers must be prepared for all types of events, even if it doesn’t directly impact them. The definition of preparedness means “a state of readiness, especially for war.” In the life of a telecommunicator, preparedness is what makes them tick, helps them get through the day’s events, whatever they might be. Yes, they are trained on how to answer a 911 call with a short phrase, “911, where is your emergency,” but that is just the beginning.

Dear Public Safety Telecommunicators,

Wow. What a year it’s been! Who knew we would all become toilet paper, hand sanitizer, and paper towel hoarders? During the past year, your lives have changed dramatically as well. You have all learned how to cope with the pandemic in ways you probably never imagined. From disinfecting the PSAPs to keeping social distancing, dealing with controlling COVID spread at work and in your families, and overcoming challenges with staying in touch through zoom, google meet, and face time.

In addition to the everyday stresses of the job, you showed up through a pandemic with outstanding resiliency. You should be very proud of yourselves for your continued sacrifices and commitment to serve the public and your communities in ways you probably never thought possible.

On behalf of INdigital, we thank you for all that you have done and continue to do. We are honored to celebrate you a little extra during this year’s National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week. You are all amazing.

Stacy Roberts