Dispatch in Depth

Tracy Eldridge discusses the history and mission of her company, “On Scene First,” and promotes using DISC model for more effective communication inside and outside the center. 

For Your Information: 

On Scene First: https://www.onscenefirst.com/  

Jason and Kathy Lott, founders of the Thin Gold Line Foundation, talk about Jason’s experience as an emergency dispatcher with PTSD and the resources their organization provides for other dispatchers. 

For Your Information: 

The Thin Gold Line Foundation website: https://www.thethingoldlinefoundation.com/ 

WarFighter Advance website: https://www.warfighteradvance.org/ 

Supplementary reading: The Healthy Dispatcher by Adam Timm and The Resilient 911 Professional by Jim Marshall 

The Raspy Dispatcher herself, Ashley Valenzuela, discusses the resources her company offers, as well as some tips preparing for life both before and after dispatch. 

For Your Information: 

The Raspy Dispatcher website: https://www.theraspydispatcher.com/ 

Dispatch in Depth listeners get 15% off The Raspy Dispatchers merch store: the discount code is "IAEDPOD" (Good through January 31st, 2024)

Secure the Bag with Amanda Kotroski: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2041682/12370157-secure-the-bag-amanda-kostroksi  

The Three Week Dispatcher with Hannah Flores: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2041682/11354604-the-three-week-dispatcher-hannah-flores 

Life After the Headset with Casey Rives: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2041682/11744832-life-after-the-headset-casey-rives  

Erika Lakey, ENP and CMCP, and Yasmen Barnett, ENP and CMCP, talk about emergency response career paths inside and outside of the comm. center, including how to branch out of or enhance your current role.  

For Your Information: 

Find resources at https://those911girls.com/  

Erika’s research poster about drowning deaths: https://www.aedrjournal.org/a-drowning-epidemic-during-a-global-pandemic  

Journal article about Erika’s research poster: https://www.iaedjournal.org/an-ounce-of-prevention-to-subvert-drowning-deaths  

Journal article about preparing for conferences: https://www.iaedjournal.org/heading-off-to-conference

Jim Marshall, CEO and co-founder of the 911 Training Institute, and Jason (Jay) Scott, partner engagement director at 911 Training Institute, discuss the underlying principles of Emergency Mental Health Dispatching (EMHD). They cover the development of MPDS Protocol 41: Caller in Crisis (to be released in Fall 2023 to accompany MPDS v14) and provide examples and resources for those interested in learning more. 

This is the first of a two-part series on handling callers in crisis. Stay tuned for part two! 

For Your Information: 

Statistics about Suicide in the United States: https://www.cdc.gov/suicide/suicide-data-statistics.html 

Check out the 911 Training Institute’s website: https://www.911training.net/  

Take the College of Emergency Dispatch course on the Protocol 41: Caller in Crisis in Fall 2023: https://academy.emergencydispatch.org/  

The hosts of the H.A.L.T. and Call for Backup podcast series, Jim McLintock and Mike Koch, and Cassie Sexton, series regular, get into the nitty gritty of addiction, trauma, and the day of small beginnings in emergency response.  

For Your Information: 

Cassie’s episode of H.A.L.T.: https://www.spreaker.com/user/mhnrnetwork/calling-out-the-dispatchers-h-a-l-t-and- 

Positive Connections Radio: https://www.spreaker.com/show/positive-connections-radio  

First Responder Wellness: https://www.firstresponder-wellness.com/ 

911 Video/Media and Trauma poster: https://www.aedrjournal.org/next-generation-9-1-1-media-your-telecommunicators-mental-health  

Suicide Hotline number: 988 or 800-273-TALK (8255) 

Dr. Renee Thornton, the founder of Pathfinder Resilience, discusses public safety wellness and enhancing workforce performance. She gives a practical definition of “resilience,” outlines the eight dimensions of wellbeing, and talks about actions you can take to make your center’s culture more positive.

IAED/NASNA staffing survey results: https://www.emergencydispatch.org/in-the-news/press-releases/64632133-7f9f-4d77-8013-d59c445fdb88  

2023 Qualtrics employee survey results: https://www.qualtrics.com/ebooks-guides/2023-ex-trends-report/  

Pathfinder Resilience site: https://www.pathfinderresilience.com/  

Dr. Conrad Fivaz, President of Priority Solutions Inc and chair of the ECNS council of standards, Ellen Edwards, Senior Professional Practice Educator for Clinical Support Desk at Welsh Ambulance Service, and Dr. Mike Brady, Consultant Clinician NHS 111, discuss the implementation of video technology at the Welsh Ambulance Service NHS Trust (WAST). They go over best practices, the types of calls best handled with video technology, and clinician feedback. 

For Your Information: 

Keep up with WAST here: 

https://www.ambulance.wales.nhs.uk/ 

https://www.facebook.com/welshambulanceservice 

https://twitter.com/WelshAmbulance 

https://www.instagram.com/welshambulanceservice/ 

Read Dr. Brady’s paper about implementing ECNS at WAST: https://www.aedrjournal.org/proposed-use-of-the-emergency-communication-nurse-system-in-welsh-ambulance-service-999-secondary-triage-with-paramedic-and-nurse-users   

Dr. Violet Rymshaw, CEO of Innovative Writing and former emergency dispatcher for police, fire, and EMS, discusses her research on the distinct needs of emergency dispatcher wellness. She talks about stressful calls and center culture as well as small steps to take toward improving the profession overall. 

For Your Information: 

Find Violet on any of these platforms: 

https://www.tiktok.com/@violetinla  

https://www.facebook.com/911GrantWriting  

https://www.instagram.com/911_grant_writing/  

https://twitter.com/911_grant  

https://911grantwriting.com/  

https://www.linkedin.com/in/violet-rymshaw-psyd-130218174/  

Edel Burton, clinical hospital pharmacist and PhD scholar in the School of Public Health at University College Cork, discusses her research about pre-hospital care terminology and measurements. Your agency’s definition of “on scene” may be different from other agencies’ definitions, and Burton’s research will make it easier for agencies to compare their data. 

For Your Information: 

Edel’s PhD program: https://www.universityofgalway.ie/cdp-cdp/ 

The systematic review on the effects of COVID-19 on prehospital stroke response (full paper to be published in coming months): https://hrbopenresearch.org/articles/5-24 

The abstract from WADEM on this research will be published here after May 2023: 

https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/prehospital-and-disaster-medicine