Join me for a special episode highlighting a recent visit to Calhoun County 911 in Michigan.

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• Shout out and transition for longtime sponsor Indigital, and introduction of RapidSOS as the new episode sponsor.

• Visit to Calhoun County Consolidated Dispatch Authority in Michigan, including B-roll, interviews, and the vibe inside the center.

• The importance of teamwork, communication, and positive culture within dispatch centers.

• Emotional highlights from real emergency calls and how dispatchers support each other through critical moments.

• Powerful story of a lifesaving dispatch call coming full circle years later.

If you have any comments or questions or would like to be a guest on the show, please email me at [email protected].

Ep 636 features Carolyn, a 911 professional out of Texas.

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• Carolyn's unexpected start in public safety and her early experiences in dispatch.

• The significance and emotional impact of receiving the Guiding Light Award.

• Memorable calls and moments that shaped Carolyn's career and perspective.

• Major shifts in technology over the last three decades, including AI and real-time crime centers.

• Advice for new dispatchers and the importance of mental health and giving grace in the profession.

If you have any comments or questions or would like to be a guest on the show, please email me at [email protected].

Join me for a special New Year's Eve episode of Within the Trenches, where I share deeply personal and unforgettable stories from the past.

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• Milestones and growth of the Within the Trenches podcast, including over 2.4 million downloads and international reach

• Ricardo's holiday adventures and family stories, from running the Rocky Steps to visiting Centralia, PA

• Behind-the-scenes tales of working New Year's Eve shifts as a dispatcher, including humorous and challenging calls

• Personal experiences taking emergency calls involving friends, family, and even his own house

• A heartfelt tribute to Ricardo's Uncle Emmett and reflections on the importance of family, connection, and living life without regrets

If you have any comments or questions or would like to be a guest on the show, please email me at [email protected].

Join me for a special holiday episode of Within the Trenches, where I share deeply personal and unforgettable stories from Christmases past.

Join me for a special holiday episode of Within the Trenches, where I share deeply personal and unforgettable stories from Christmases past.

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• An unforgettable family break-in during the holidays and how it shaped Ricardo's outlook on safety

• The emotional impact of reuniting with past events through old dispatch records

• Funny and touching family moments, including a classic gift reveal mishap

• Sharing the legendary "Santa BOL" live on the radio and its lasting effect on the community

• How dispatchers stay resilient, create joy, and support each other during the toughest times

If you have any comments or questions or would like to be a guest on the show, please email me at [email protected].

• An unforgettable family break-in during the holidays and how it shaped Ricardo's outlook on safety

• The emotional impact of reuniting with past events through old dispatch records

• Funny and touching family moments, including a classic gift reveal mishap

• Sharing the legendary "Santa BOL" live on the radio and its lasting effect on the community

• How dispatchers stay resilient, create joy, and support each other during the toughest times

If you have any comments or questions or would like to be a guest on the show, please email me at [email protected].

Ep 633 features Meagan, a 911 professional out of Kansas.

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• How Meagan was inspired by her family's legacy in public safety and shifted from loss prevention to dispatch.

• The challenges and learning curves facing new dispatchers, including handling overwhelming noise and high-stress situations.

• First-hand accounts of critical incidents: from supporting officers during pursuits to dangerous situations.

• The importance of mental health, peer support, and coping mechanisms in dispatch, including emotional support animals.

• The impact of teamwork, support systems, and recognizing the wins within a tough and demanding career.

If you have any comments or questions or would like to be a guest on the show, please email me at [email protected].

Ep 632 features Hope, a 911 director with New Hanover County 911 out of NC.

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Episode topics –

• First-hand accounts of Hope's early days as a young dispatcher and her baptism by fire

• The unique demands and life-or-death challenges of working in rural, small-town dispatch centers

• The critical impact of effective training, team culture, and mentorship in 911 centers

• Raw, emotional stories from major incidents, including the devastating effects of Hurricane Helene

• Lessons in leadership, mental health support, and advice for anyone entering or staying in emergency communications

If you have any comments or questions or would like to be a guest on the show, please email me at [email protected].

Ep 631 features Anthony, a 911 professional and supervisor with Cass County Central Dispatch in Michigan.

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Episode topics –

• What dispatchers might say if sarcasm was allowed on 911 calls

• The surprising reality behind common (and not-so-emergency) 911 calls

• Dispatchers' picks for their ultimate theme songs while putting on the headset

• Hilarious slip-ups like accidentally saying "I love you" to callers

• The must-have snacks and dream dispatch chair features every dispatcher deserves

If you have any comments or questions or would like to be a guest on the show, please email me at [email protected].

Ep 630 features Nate, a 911 professional and trainer with Cass County Central Dispatch in Michigan.

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Episode topics –

• The critical role of RapidSOS technology in saving lives and responding to emergencies.

• The emotional impact of high-stress calls, including life-saving successes and tragic outcomes.

• Reenactments and media attention: what it's really like to have cameras in your face after a crisis.

• The importance of closure, peer support, and healthy coping mechanisms in 911 dispatch work.

• Building strong relationships with field responders and the realities of teamwork in life-or-death situations.

If you have any comments or questions or would like to be a guest on the show, please email me at [email protected].

Ep 629 features Anthony, a 911 professional and supervisor with Cass County Central Dispatch in Michigan.

Episode topics –

• Anthony's path from growing up around the firehouse to working 24 years in public safety and 13 years in dispatch

• The unexpected challenges and misconceptions about working in 911, including memorable early calls and on-the-job lessons

• Raw stories that stuck with Anthony, from life-saving outcomes to heartbreaking losses

• How burnout, compassion, and teamwork shape dispatchers over time

• Rapid changes in 911 technology and how the role continues to evolve amidst new tools and expectations

If you have any comments or questions or would like to be a guest on the show, please email me at [email protected].

Ep 628 features Janie and Nate, 911 professionals with Cass County Central Dispatch in Michigan.

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Episode topics –

• The nerve-wracking experience of being filmed for a special project at Cass County Central Dispatch and Edwardsburg Fire Department

• How Janie and Nate each found their way into dispatch and their early training struggles

• Their personal accounts of memorable first calls and surprising moments on the job

• Detailed breakdown of a life-saving crash detection incident and rapid response teamwork

• The emotional reunion between dispatchers and the accident survivor, and reflections on how dispatch changes lives

If you have any comments or questions or would like to be a guest on the show, please email me at [email protected].