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Episode 126 is different from the rest. It’s the introduction to Within the Trenches – Imagine Listening, an extension of the podcast featuring stories from the #IAM911 movement. What you are about to hear are true stories. While some have good outcomes, the majority are horrifying. A warning…if you suffer from PTSD or have suicidal tendencies this episode may be a trigger. LISTEN AT YOUR OWN RISK.
This episode also touches on PTSD in 9-1-1 dispatch and a look at the dark humor that comes with the job. A shout out goes to Dave, Tim and Amy of Darkness Radio for having me on their show. Below you will find links to my interview and a shout out to Mike of Sword & Scale for having me on episode #82 of his podcast. As always if you have any questions or want to be a guest on show send an email to wttpodcast@gmail.com.
Within the Trenches Continuing Education Scholarship – Web
Sword and Scale – Facebook | iTunes | Stitcher Radio | Twitter | Web | Episode #82
Darkness Radio – Facebook | Twitter | Web | Interview – Hour 1 | Interview – Hour 2
Episode topics –
- Imagine Listening featuring #IAM911 Stories
- PTSD in 9-1-1 Dispatch
- Dark Humor
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Within the Trenches Bonus Ep3
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Good afternoon everyone this is Ricardo and I am back with another bonus episode of Within the Trenches. Whitney and I had planned on doing an episode yesterday but after she worked for 14 hours, babysat, went to the doctor and came back for another four hours of work, she decided she should probably go home and sleep since she had not slept at all the entire day. I don’t blame her a bit. I decided to go at it alone and in this episode I cover some good information on a class I took recently from PowerPhone called Protecting Law Enforcement Officers. It deals with scene safety, taking control of the call and much more. I also play a tape that is a bit more intense from previous ones. There are some big announcements in this episode so make sure to listen and share folks! As always you can email the show at thejcast@thejabberlog.com and if you would like to hear more tapes from the Dispatch Magazine On-Line library you can follow the link below. Cheers!9-1-1 tape library | Web
Diary of a Mad Dispatcher | Facebook | Merchandise
Episode topics –
- PowerPhone class
- Stay healthy
- Avoid 300 call syndrome
- Joe Horn Call
- Next weeks guest is KMK of Diary of a Mad Dispatcher
- New Within the Trenches Podcast Fan Page on Facebook
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Within the Trenches Ep 121
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Welcome to episode 121 of Within the Trenches. In this episode I had the opportunity to speak with Bailey, a Dispatcher and Corrections Officer with Mountrail Sheriff’s Department out of North Dakota. She is also a singer and songwriter and released a song based on her experience as a 9-1-1 professional back in April of 2016. The song was submitted as an #IAM911 movement post and is a must listen. Bailey shares her story in this episode along with her song. Below are links to her music and social media.This episode also highlights the 2017 Within the Trenches Continuing Education Scholarship that will help send a 9-1-1 professional to the IAED – 2017 NAVIGATOR conference in New Orleans, Louisiana. This is a great opportunity so don’t miss out! As always, if you have any questions or you would like to be a guest on the show, send an email to wttpodcast@gmail.com.
Within the Trenches Continuing Education Scholarship – WebEpisode topics –
- #IAM911 Update
- Project #IAM911 Update
- Vinyl decal Update
- Bailey’s 9-1-1 story
- “I Am Waiting”
- And more
HI Ricardo,
I’ve listened to a couple of your podcasts now. Thanks for helping to bring attention to the battle to change our job description. When APCO put out the word, I posted a story and forwarded the links on my social media pages. I first started dispatching in 1981 (ems) after learning to work to the radio to cover in dispatch (I was an EMT) and changed to 911 in 1987. Seen some changes over the years. Had some real nasty calls during my career. I even wrote a book about the profession (“What is your emergency? The history of Public Safety Dispatching in America”).
One of my busiest shifts, I handled simultaneous in-progress evens by myself: a barricaded subject on my main channel and a demonstration on my secondary. I’ve worked shifts where I ran back & forth from the bathroom (had a massive migraine but was by myself), had to deal with the passing away of my mother-in-law (again, by myself), and dealt with more craziness (spent 14 of my years in Berkeley – CA- than I can remember). I now handle LE for a wildlife department. A different type of stress.
Keep up the good work on our behalf.
Diana Sprain
http://www.dianasprain.net/
I heard about you through S&S.; I get it. I do. I have been an Animal Control officer for nearing 20 years. I work in conjunction with Police at accident scenes, death scenes, search warrants/dynamic entry, responding to animal incidents of aggression and vehicle collision. We work alone handling calls that can be dangerous, heated and emotional.
I have taken animals from long term death of Humans, suicides of owner and owner and pet. I have aided and been with animals as they die on our roadways, providing a pet the comfort of Human compassion so they do not die alone and scared. I deal with where Humans have failed their pets and only to be called “Nazi” or “dog killer”. All the while I feel there is not a better person who could do this job.
PTSD, I am not sure as I learn to compartmentalize my work. Maybe. On my days off, I don’t really want to be social outside of my home, I am but I have to push myself to do it. I get questions like you describe about the bad stuff. Too much to list really as the Human and animal tragedy intertwine.
Dark humor? Sure. It’s a coping mechanism. If I didn’t make light of what I see, it would eat me up, I think.
I tell those new to this job that there is no finish line. You will not be able to stand back and look over a job well done. It will be the same thing happening everyday for the duration of your career. Many of things will be stressful and emotional. Regards.