We have heard through conferences, training seminars and videos the phrase, “911 Dispatchers are ‘multi-tasking Jedi Knights!’”
May The Force be with them. Your worst day is a 911 dispatcher’s every day. When they get a 911 call, dispatchers are listening, asking, typing and sharing information all at the same time, so their partner can get the needed resources to your emergency scene whether it be EMS, firefighting or law enforcement. They are having to “piece” together a puzzle, if you will, trying to sort out an endless list of things, like the location and description of an address, how many people are involved in a fight, what kind of weapon is involved, how many vehicles are involved in a motor vehicle accident, how many people are in the vehicles, whether a fire is on the first or second floor and what room it is in, if anyone is inside, if you are looking at the front of the house from the street, what side of the house is on fire, whether your family member is breathing or not, grandma just fell down and hit her head, someone is trying to break in to my home and much, much more, all the while still listening for background noises, certain key phrases that are red flags or needed information that needs to be passed on to the resources that are responding to help.
Yes, you the caller are frantic, scared and uncertain, but it is the 911 dispatcher’s job to help you remain calm, breathe and give the best information you can so they can help you get the help you need. This is what they are trained to do.
Parents, please take the time to teach your children as early as possible what their address and phone number is, as well as mom and dad’s names. Show them where the house numbers are located on the house or mailbox. Help them be aware of the house color, the front door color and what kind of vehicles will be parked in the driveway, and to turn the front porch light on and have the door unlocked for emergency responders.
Sometimes your children are the actual heroes also. The 911 dispatcher does not have “just” a desk job, there is so much more to this “loved” career. It takes a lot of dedication and training in being the “unseen hero,” “the first responder on the scene,” or “the eyes and ears for the officers.”
The value of a 911 dispatcher is absolutely limitless.
The Texas County Emergency Services office in Houston is funded by a 3/8-cent countywide sales tax approved by voters in 2013. Director Susan Hale and assistant director Terra Culley can be reached by phone at 417-967-5309 or by email at texascounty911@hotmail.com.
