The PETs Pod

You’ve got the ideas. You’ve got the events. You’ve got a cart full of giveaways, banners, coloring books, and things you’re absolutely convinced you need.

Now… who’s paying for all of it?

In this episode of the PETS Pod, we’re sitting down for a roundtable conversation about the less glamorous—but very real—side of 9-1-1 public education: funding and budgeting.

We talk about what public education programs actually cost, how to decide what’s worth spending money on, stretching a small budget, finding creative funding opportunities, working with community partners, and making the case for your program when budget season rolls around.

And if your current public education budget is approximately $0 and a dream, this episode is for you too.

We also get into giveaways and promotional items, what’s actually worth buying, what tends to sit in a closet forever, tracking your program’s impact, and why having the biggest budget doesn’t necessarily mean having the best public education program.

Whether you’re building a program from scratch, trying to grow what you already have, or just trying to figure out how to make your money go a little further, come join the conversation.

🎙️ In this episode:

• Building a realistic public education budget
• What to prioritize when money is limited
• Running a program with little or no dedicated funding
• Grants, partnerships, sponsorships, and other funding ideas
• Making smarter promotional-item purchases
• Tracking what you spend—and what actually works
• Showing the value of public education
• Justifying next year’s budget
• Lessons learned from things we probably wouldn’t buy again

Have a creative funding idea or something that has worked for your program? We want to hear about it!

Learn more about PETS:
https://www.911publiceducatorsoftexas.com/

Follow 9-1-1 Public Educators of Texas on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/911PublicEducatorsofTexas

Listen to more episodes of the PETS Pod:
https://www.911publiceducatorsoftexas.com/podcast

So, you’re the public educator. Now what?

In this episode of the PETS Pod, we’re talking about what it’s really like to step into 9-1-1 public education when you’re brand new, building a program from the ground up, or just trying to figure out where to start.

We’re joined by Kim Rogers, who knows firsthand what it’s like to take over a public education program with no previous pub ed experience and turn it into something successful. Kim also teaches 9-1-1 Public Education for Newcomers, a course designed to help new public educators find their footing and start building a program that works for their community.

We talk about those first overwhelming days, figuring out what your program actually needs, finding resources, building relationships, choosing where to focus your time, and learning that you absolutely do not have to have everything figured out on day one.

Whether you just inherited the public education duties, volunteered before you knew what you were getting yourself into, or you’re trying to build a program where one didn’t exist before, this episode is for you.

Learn more about PETS, find resources, and connect with other 9-1-1 public educators:

Website: https://www.911publiceducatorsoftexas.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/911PublicEducatorsofTexas

🎙️ PETS Pod
Real conversations, real ideas, and real-world 9-1-1 public education.

Every program has a story, and 9-1-1 public education in Texas is no exception.

In this episode, we're taking a look back at where it all started, how public education became such an important part of emergency communications, and the people who helped shape it along the way. From early outreach efforts to the programs we see today, we'll explore the milestones that brought us here and why they still matter.

Whether you're brand new to public education or you've been doing this for years, understanding our history helps us build an even stronger future.

🎙️ Learn more about PETS at https://www.911publiceducatorsoftexas.com/

Follow us on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/911PublicEducatorsofTexas

Welcome to Episode 0 of the PETS Pod!

Before we dive into interviews, stories, and all things 9-1-1 public education, we wanted to take a few minutes to introduce ourselves and share what the PETS Pod is all about.

The PETS Pod is the official podcast of the 911 Public Educators of Texas (PETS), created by public educators, for public educators. Our goal is to connect professionals across Texas and beyond by sharing ideas, best practices, lessons learned, and the occasional "we've all been there" moment.

Whether you're building a public education program from the ground up, looking for fresh ideas for your next community event, or simply want to hear how others are making a difference in their communities, this podcast is for you.

Each episode will feature conversations with public educators, dispatch professionals, industry partners, and subject matter experts covering everything from school presentations and community outreach to funding, partnerships, special events, public safety campaigns, and the future of 9-1-1 public education.

We'll also bring you roundtable discussions, listener Q&A episodes, mini-series, and plenty of practical tips you can take back to your own agency.

So grab your coffee, settle in, and join the conversation. We're excited you're here and can't wait to learn alongside you.

Want to learn more about PETS or become a member? Visit us at https://www.911publiceducatorsoftexas.com/.

Be sure to follow us on Facebook for updates, resources, and upcoming events: https://www.facebook.com/911PublicEducatorsofTexas.

Thanks for listening, and welcome to the PETS Pod!