Dispatch in Depth

The founder of Gold Line Support, John Barney, talks about his organization and its aims in supporting emergency dispatchers everywhere. He discusses Gold Line Support’s three main goals—recognition, meaningful community connection, and initiatives that support long-term resilience in emergency communications—as well as their inaugural First Voice Summit in October 2027.For Your Information: Check out their website: https://goldlinesupport.com Register for the First Voice Summit: https://goldlinesupport.com/summit.html 

Don Redmond, Vice President of Drone as First Responder (DFR) at BRINC Drones, talks about how drones fit into the future of emergency response. He discusses his experience as police captain over the Chula Vista Police Department’s pioneer Drone as First Responder program, CAD integration, and who exactly is piloting the drones in agencies participating in similar programs across the country.For Your Information: Check out BRINC’s website: brincdrones.com Learn more about the Drone as First Responder (DFR) program: brincdrones.com/white-paper/drone-as-first-responder-playbook/ 

Kyle Mickelson, Operations Manager with Jeffcom 911, talks about his center’s process of simplifying fire and EMS responses. He discusses what the procedure looked like before consolidation, the buy-in necessary to make the changes, and metrics used to gauge success. For Your Information:Check out Jeffcom’s website: https://www.jeffcom911co.gov/Have a question for Kyle? Go ahead and ask him! kyle (dot) mickelson (at) jeffcom911co (dot) gov. 

Ty Wooten, Director of Government Affairs for the IAED, reminisces about his experience as the Director of Emergency Communications at the Indianapolis International Airport on September 11, 2001. He discusses the feelings of uncertainty, the acts of courage and grit, and the ways that the event has impacted all aspects of public safety, including emergency dispatch, ever since.  This is the final installment in a three-part series in honor of the 25th anniversary of 9/11 and the role that dispatchers played on the day itself and the years that followed.  For Your Information:Listen to the other episodes in the series: https://www.aedrjournal.org/tag/september-11th-anniversaryLearn more about Friends of Flight 93: https://www.flight93friends.org/  

Joe Wassel, Founding CEO of Zero Nine Thirty-Seven and Principal Consultant with Deep Water Point & Associates, speaks about his experience as a member of the Department of Defense in the Pentagon when it was stuck on September 11th. He also discusses the important roles that leadership, partnerships, and friendships will play in handling the defining moments of your professional and personal life. This is the second in a three-part series in honor of the 25th anniversary of 9/11 and the role that dispatchers played on the day itself and the years that followed. For Your Information:Check out the article Joe helped write about cybersecurity in the 911 center for the Journal of Emergency Dispatch: https://www.iaedjournal.org/cybersecurity-is-up-to-youLearn more about Deep Water Point & Associates: https://dwpassociates.com/Learn more about Friends of Flight 93: https://www.flight93friends.org/  

Chris Carver, Octave’s Director of Market Development, talks about his experience as an emergency dispatcher with the New York Fire Department (FDNY) during the September 11th attacks. He also discusses his role at Octave as well as the book he wrote about his illustrious career in public safety. This is the first installment in a three-part series in honor of the 25th anniversary of 9/11 and the role that dispatchers played on the day itself and the years that followed. For Your Information:Buy a copy of Miracles and Milestones—The Incredible Odyssey of a Fire Dispatcher from Ohio, to 9/11, and Beyond: https://cbcarver.com/order-today/  Check out Chris’s website: https://cbcarver.com/ Learn more about Octave: https://octavepublicsafety.com/ 

Bill Vedra, Director of the Emergency Communications Center (ECC) for the city of Cincinnati, discusses his agency’s re-implementation of the Police Priority Dispatch System (PPDS). He discusses the circumstances surrounding the process, some obstacles in implementation and how they were overcome, and why the agency then aimed for accreditation status. For Your Information:ECC homepage: https://www.cincinnati-oh.gov/ecc/ECC page on accreditation: https://www.cincinnati-oh.gov/ecc/about-ecc/accreditation/ECC alternative response: https://www.cincinnati-oh.gov/ecc/arc/ECC Facebook: @Cincy911ECC 311 social media on FB, IG, and X: @311Cincy IAED study about Cincinnati 911’s implementation: https://www.aedrjournal.org/improving-911-police-call-taking-in-cincinnati-implementing-a-structured-protocol-based-systema-before-and-after-comparative-study 

Jessica Hutchens and Jeri Phillips, training specialists with Guilford Metro 911, talk about the foundational training that all Emergency Dispatchers should receive. They discuss what skills are necessary for an Emergency Dispatcher to have, how those skills can be improved, and ways to make it easy and fun in your comm. center. For Your Information: Use GeoGuessr to help your Emergency Dispatchers learn local geography: https://www.geoguessr.com/  Use Neuro Runners to help them improve their multitasking skills: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.magicoft.NeuroRacer  https://apps.apple.com/us/app/neuro-runners/id1435628595  

Jody Mader, Master ETC-I Instructor and 2025 Instructor of the Year, shares some insights she’s gained in her 18 years of experience in emergency telecommunications. She discusses how she became interested in adult education, how to customize the ETC curriculum while still meeting the training standards, and how you can start improving your program one change at a time.  For Your Information: Check out our series about becoming an Instructor for the Academy: https://www.aedrjournal.org/tag/instructor-academy   

Combined Regional Communications Authority (CRCA) 911’s Deputy Director Lindsay Hubbard talks all about their dispatch internship program—how it came to be, how it’s evolved over the past few years, and advice for people looking to start similar programs in their own agencies.  For Your InformationLearn more about CRCA 911!  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CRCA911CO  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/crca_911/ Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@crca911 Website: https://www.crca911.colorado.gov