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This is a special episode that you don’t want to miss. In this episode my wife Rebecca joins me to chat about what it was like for her during my time working as a 9-1-1 dispatcher. Not many people know this but as a dispatcher you miss out on all kinds of family time. You will more than likely work days, nights, weekends, holiday’s and some people work forced overtime. This episode is an #IAM911 story, but from the spouses side.
As always if you have any comments, questions or you would like to be a guest on the show, send an email to wttpodcast@gmail.com.
Episode topics –
- Podcast updates
- National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week
- IAM911 from the spouses side
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Within the Trenches Ep 56
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Within the Trenches is back with episode 56! This is just one of several episodes recorded last week during the Indiana NENA state conference. In this episode I sat down to talk with Sarah, Assistant 9-1-1 Director and Trina, a dispatcher with Kosciusko 9-1-1 Communications. We talked about how they both began their 9-1-1 careers as well as their experience with text and 9-1-1. Kosciusko 9-1-1 Communications is one of the testing sites for text to 9-1-1 and they have had much success with it.
This is a must listen so check it out and share! As always you can email the show at wttpodcast@gmail.com
Episode topics –
- How Sarah started in 9-1-1
- How Trina started in 9-1-1
- Early 9-1-1 calls
- Text and 9-1-1
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Within the Trenches – What Can 9-1-1 Do For You?
The past week has been a busy one. I’ve been doing the usual with work, school and family but I also had the chance to attend the annual NENA conference in Lansing, MI. NENA is the National Emergency Number Association. Those within the world of public safety gather each year for Michigan’s chapter of NENA to share ideas, visit with vendors and attend helpful workshops. This was my first conference. Out of the three-day event I was able to attend on two different days. It felt good to sit among my co-workers and peers. The first day began with motivational speakers from our line of work. The stories were great but the best part of the morning was honoring one of our own from St. Joseph County Central Dispatch. This veteran of 9-1-1 was honored that morning for her 17 years of service in public safety. The emotion could be felt throughout the room as she made her way to the front to accept her award. Recently she has been battling cancer but despite her illness she displayed a smile and attitude that lit the room with joy. She received a standing ovation. Not one person sat until she made her way back to her seat. I felt honored to have been present during her moment of recognition.
The day went on with workshops but it wasn’t until the last day of the conference that I was fully engaged. Two specific workshops brought forth new ideas and understanding between different organizations. The first was entitled Media – Public Safety Relationship, given by Ashley Wioskowski of WWMT News Channel 3. First off, I have to applaud her for giving this talk. She was alone in a room full of public safety workers and when it comes to the media we don’t always mesh. Picture the feud between the police agencies in the movie Super Troopers. Can you picture it? Well, it’s not exactly like that but you get the picture. If you think about it, it’s rather sad. We have a similar goal when it comes to the public and that’s really what Wioskowski was talking about. She wanted to help us understand her side and explained that we need to find a way to bridge the gap. The workshop helped me understand the media side and although Wioskowski announced to the room that she was nervous, she was very professional and I was impressed.
Dee Wachele and her colleagues of “911 The Number To Know“, a national education campaign out of Indiana, presented the following workshop. It was done in two parts and the topic of discussion was based on public education of 9-1-1. This was very interesting because my training coordinator and I had recently spoken about this. You would be amazed at how many people have no idea what we actually do in dispatch or what to do when an emergency occurs. Now, as much as I want to explain everything that was said during this workshop, I’m going to wait. My reason for waiting is because I want to compare your answers with what I know to the next question I’m going to ask. So…if you were given the opportunity to attend a 9-1-1 Public Education workshop, what would you like to learn? It might sound like a stupid question but not many schools out there teach our children about 9-1-1. There might even be some parts of 9-1-1 that you yourself are unaware of. Make sure to comment on this post so we can generate some discussion. Thank you very much to Michigan’s chapter of NENA for holding this conference once again. A big thanks also goes out to Dee Wachele, and Ashley Wioskowski for the excellent workshops and to Lois of St. Joseph County Central Dispatch. You’re strength, warm smile, and years of service made me proud to do what I do every day.
(Below is a little something from Longmont, CO. to get the juices flowing on 9-1-1 Ed.)
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Youth Violence and The Cause
There are many factors that go into the cause of youth violence. Bullying is at an all time high and media influence is also playing a part. According to the National Center for Children Exposed To Violence, “Television alone is responsible for 10% of youth violence.” Other factors include peer pressure, ethnicity/race and gender.
With that said, we at Jabber Log have been working diligently on a piece involving youth violence. This piece will contain video, audio, images and more on what causes it, the people who have lived through it and those working to prevent it. It is still a work in progress and we are gathering more information in order to deliver a well-balanced piece. Now, the Internet is full of information and statistics are everywhere but the best place to get solid information is to ask the readers. Below is a survey targeted at teenagers to see what they have dealt with and their opinion on youth violence. We ask that all questions be filled out. This survey is for informational purposes only.
Youth Violence and The Cause
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