What started as a hope for 100 women has exploded into a 15,000-strong movement—and it's changing how women lead in 911. Host Cherie Bartram sits down with Sara Weston, founder of 911der Women, for a candid conversation about building community, breaking barriers, and redefining leadership in emergency communications. Sara shares her unexpected journey into the 911 world, the personal loss that fueled her mission, and why she's creating tangible pathways through leadership academies and mentorship programs. Discover why 70% of dispatchers are women but leadership doesn't reflect it, what "finding your voice" really means in a comm center, and how physical fitness unexpectedly connects to leadership strength. Sara tackles the real barriers keeping women from advancing and reveals how she's helping break through them—because navigating your career shouldn't be a solo mission. Whether you're a dispatcher feeling stuck, a supervisor ready to level up, or a leader passionate about psychological safety, this conversation will leave you energized, validated, and ready to claim your seat at the table. Spoiler: When women in 911 find their power, everyone wins—the professionals, the agencies, and the communities they serve.

You've done the research, prepared yourself, and landed the promotion—but what happens when theory meets reality? In this final episode of our three-part series, hosts Cherie Bartram and Kerry O'Connell sit down with four experienced leaders who share the truths about their first days, weeks, and months in supervision. From unexpected challenges to the relationships that shift overnight, these candid conversations reveal what no training manual can fully prepare you for. Discover why attitude matters more than aptitude, what veteran supervisors wish they'd done differently, and how the best leaders continue learning long after that first promotion. Whether you're navigating your early days as a supervisor or supporting someone who is, this episode offers the real-world wisdom that only comes from those who've walked the path before you.

In this episode, hosts Cherie Bartram and Kerry O'Connell guide telecommunicators through the journey toward leadership roles in emergency communications. The hosts outline practical preparation strategies centering on the REEPS framework. They discuss a variety of topics within this framework, such as taking relevant classes, interviewing current and former leaders, and reading leadership books to build your foundation—while acknowledging you can't research everything before taking the leap. Join part two of the series as the hosts explore this important topic and remind listeners that career development is cyclical—once you achieve one goal, you start over for the next challenge, continuously growing throughout your public safety career.

The transition from line-level employee to supervisor brings a mix of emotions—excitement, uncertainty, and sometimes fear. Most new supervisors discover they weren't fully prepared for at least one aspect of the journey. Were you caught off guard by something unexpected? Are you considering making the move? Recently promoted and wondering what comes next? Or, like co-hosts Kerry and Cherie, are you looking back thinking "I wish I'd known..."? Join us for this first episode of a three-part series exploring the transition from line-level employee to supervisor—how to prepare for it and what to expect when you get there.

Fear can paralyze us or motivate us. In this episode, our host Cherie Bartram, along with her teenage daughter Riannah, discuss how fear interferes with our personal and professional lives. They also explore how fear has protected them and lifted them to higher elevations. This is a deeply personal episode that combines personal insights with career wisdom - you won't want to miss it!

Resource sharing has been a cornerstone of public safety for years, but successful implementation requires dedication and persistence. Behind-the-scenes work on shared resource projects rarely gets attention—especially when these collaborative efforts involve both large municipal 911 centers and university campus 911 centers. Join us as we talk with Chief Randy Repola and Communications Manager Amber Parvin to discover what it takes to bring these partnerships together and learn about the unique challenges of operating a University 911 dispatch center.

Join our guest Christanna Carrell as we explore the evolving landscape of neonatal care amidst changing marijuana legislation. The podcast explores how different substances affect infants, what the testing and treatment processes are, and how 911 dispatchers might encounter these situations during deliveries or post delivery 911 calls. Share with us as our guest highlights the delicate balance between respecting parental autonomy and protecting the infant's welfare. Finally she expresses her thoughts on the need for more research and public education about prenatal marijuana exposure as legalization continues to spread.

Join our host Cherie Bartram as she shares essential insights on preparing and interviewing for a career as an Emergency 911 dispatcher. Drawing from her experience both as a candidate and interviewer, Cherie explores everything from understanding your core motivation to advancing once you've secured the position. She offers personal stories and practical advice that illuminate the unique challenges of the hiring process in emergency services. Whether you're considering this career path or actively pursuing it, this episode provides actionable strategies to help you stand out and succeed in your journey to becoming a 911 dispatcher.

Ever wonder why we sometimes miss the obvious? Join us as we dive into the fascinating world of stupidity – not the lack of intelligence, but the dangerous tendency to overlook crucial information staring us right in the face. In this episode, join Kris Kaull and host Cherie Bartram as we explore the seven sneaky risk factors that sabotage decision-making: rushing, unfamiliar environments, group influence, expert bias, hyper-focus, information overload, and stress. Sound familiar? First responders face these challenges daily! Discover practical strategies to navigate these mental traps and make better decisions under pressure. We'll show you how simply acknowledging these risks is your first step toward avoiding costly mistakes. Listen now to transform how you approach critical decisions – because sometimes the smartest move is recognizing when you're about to do something stupid.

For additional info on the topic: https://fs.blog/how-not-to-be-stupid/

In this episode, we dive deep into the often-overlooked impact of critical incident stress on public safety professionals and first responders. Our guest speaker, Carol Staben-Burroughs, LCPC, a seasoned counselor with decades of experience in trauma and stress management, breaks down the complexities of critical incident stress, from the difference between cumulative and non-cumulative traumatic stress to understanding how these stressors impact performance and well-being.

Carol explains why peer support is vital, acting as the "first line of defense" in preventing and managing stress within the public safety community. Carol's rich background, from her leadership roles in the Montana Board of Behavioral Health to her work with law enforcement and first responders, ensures an insightful and engaging conversation about critical incident stress management. Tune in for a mix of expert knowledge, practical advice, and Carol's signature high-energy style!