As we progress through the holiday season, many of us count our blessings and focus on gratitude. We work in a 24/7, 365 world which makes the time we have to spend with family and friends even more sparse and precious. During this season we reflect on the act of giving and receiving. If 911 Dispatchers were to write out a list of those things they would like to find under the Christmas tree, what would they be? Here are a few I believe would be on the list.
Know where you are
So many people are traveling this time of year and we get that. They are often in new places or places they only come to one or twice a year. Lots of people are out on the roadway. The weather gets nasty in many areas and unfortunately a lot of accidents happen. What is it that would make us so, so happy? Please pay attention to where you are. Keep an eye on street signs or at least know the number of the highway you are driving. An added bonus would be to have a rough idea of the mile marker or exit location. We really want to help you but it’s very hard, very time consuming and very frustrating when we have to play 20 questions to get you the help you need.
Peace on the streets
Those of us who have been in the public safety business for a while know that sometimes agencies can get a little testy with each other. Law enforcement, Fire and EMS, with different roles can behave as if we don’t all have the same mission of helping people. This year it would be so nice if we all could set aside any past issues and leave our grievances at the station door. It seems there is so much negativity coming in from outside public safety that we should strive to create peace from within.
A little patience
The days and nights are dark and often cold. The hours are long and we’re often understaffed. Our non-public safety friends and family are having fun without us. Overindulgence in good food and drink away from work and little exercise can all add to snappish, cranky 911 Dispatchers. We need to remember to take care of ourselves and get adequate rest, nutrition and hydration. This will increase our patience with each other, the field responders and the community-a true blessing.
Recognition
One of the things all too common throughout the year is lack of recognition for the job 911 Dispatchers do. We don’t need a bunch of fanfare or a parade in our honor, but those small “nice job,” “you handled that well,” “thank you for being here,” and “you make a difference,” all go a long way to warding off the emotional and mental exhaustion of people helping day in and day out. Take the time to tell someone’s supervisor how they assisted you or if you are a supervisor, tell someone they did a good job and you appreciate them. Share thank yous with your co-workers. This can be one of the biggest gifts of all.
Safety most of all
Although we do some of our best work and seem to thrive in the chaos, our biggest holiday wish would be for everyone to stay safe. We want all our brothers and sisters in the field to go home at the end of the shift AND we want all our community members to be free from harm. We wish people were not hurt, houses didn’t burn down, and family members didn’t have cardiac arrests on Christmas morning. I think most of us would truly love to sit there in radio and 911 silence sedated by the blinking lights and songs about salvation, snow and snacks. If nobody needed us, that would be a gift.
Let me thank every person who wears a headset. Thank you for holding down the fort so that my family, friends and I can celebrate this beautiful time of year in safety and peace. Your quiet, understated presence in the background brings comfort. Each and every one of you is a gift. Happy Holidays and Merry Christmas.
Michelle Perin
Michelle Perin has been a freelance writer since 2000. In December 2010, she earned her Master’s degree in Criminology and Criminal Justice from Indiana State University.
