Ep 606 features Desiree, a 911 professional with Henderson County Sheriff's Office out of NC.

Episode topics –

• Desiree's journey from curious high school grad to experienced 911 dispatcher

• The intimidating and unique environment of a dispatch center

• Handling tough calls, including life-or-death moments and emotional aftermath

• How public safety work changes you as a person—both toughening and teaching compassion

• Desiree's advice to her younger self about resilience and standing strong in the face of adversity

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

Ep 605 features Shanna, a 911 shift supervisor and CTO with Henderson County Sheriff's Office out of NC.

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Episode topics –

• What it's really like starting out as a 911 dispatcher and walking into dispatch for the first time

• The unique skills and "dispatcher ear" needed to juggle intense calls and multitasking

• Emotional impact and coping with difficult calls, especially those involving children

• The importance of peer support and teamwork within dispatch centers

• Advice for new dispatchers and Shanna's inspiration for becoming a Certified Training Officer

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

Ep 604 features Emily, a 911 dispatcher and CTO with Henderson County Sheriff's Office out of NC.

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Episode topics –

• Emily's journey from a business management job during COVID to becoming a 911 dispatcher

• The challenges and surprises of training and taking her first emergency calls

• High-intensity moments, including chases and memorable calls that stick with her

• The emotional toll—and fulfillment—of working in emergency communications

• Advice Emily would give to her past self and why she can't imagine doing anything else

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

Ep 603 features Sheriff Griffin out of Henderson County in North Carolina.

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Episode topics –

• Sheriff Griffin's journey from rural volunteer firefighter to county sheriff

• The excitement, challenge, and camaraderie that fuels a career in public safety

• Memorable and impactful calls that shaped his career

• The vital role dispatchers play on the front lines of emergency response

• Sheriff Griffin's straightforward advice to those starting out in public safety

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

Ep 602 features Hunter, a 911 Professional out of South Carolina.

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Episode topics –

• Hunter's early start in public safety as a 14-year-old volunteer firefighter and how it shaped his career path

• The transition from field responder to 911 dispatcher, and the differences between working on scene and behind the headset

• Memorable and difficult calls, including the impact of traumatic incidents and how they affect mental health

• Insights into training, working with small teams, and adapting to the high demands of dispatch centers

• The importance of personal growth, finding balance outside of work, and advice for those new to public safety

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

Ep 601 features Rain, an Emergency Communications Officer and CTO, out of Virginia.

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Episode topics –

• How Rain transitioned from grocery store manager to 911 dispatcher during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic

• What it's really like to walk into a dispatch center for the first time and train as a new hire

• The critical role of de-escalation and giving lifesaving instructions over the phone

• Challenges of work-life balance and mental health for dispatchers, including handling high-impact calls

• Why Rain became a CTO and her approach to training the next generation of emergency communicators

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

Ep 600 features myself. In this episode I take you down a path of reflection from the beginning of the podcast, where it is currently, and the evolution of Within the Trenches and new projects.

Episode topics –

• The origins of Within the Trenches and Ricardo's dispatch career

• Memorable stories and calls that shaped the podcast

• Behind-the-scenes of launching the podcast and early challenges with audio and content

• The evolution of the show, including the #IAM911 movement and Imagine Listening

• What's next for the podcast and how the community can get involved

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

Ep 599 features Amy, a 911 professional out of Buncombe County Public Safety in North Carolina.

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Episode topics –

• Amy's start in public safety, transitioning from a hospital translator to 911 dispatcher

• Handling overwhelming call volumes and life-or-death situations during Hurricane Helene

• The emotional impact of difficult calls and the importance of peer support and self-care

• Adapting to chaos, including technology breakdowns and working without contact from family

• Moments of hope: community support, the power of kind words, and the road to recovery

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

Ep 598 features Stephanie, Director of 911 at Henderson County Sheriff's Office out of NC .

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Episode topics –

• Stephanie's 18 years of experience in public safety.

• The unprecedented challenges of Hurricane Helene in Henderson County.

• The difficulties faced by 911 dispatchers, including increased call volume and lack of resources.

• The emotional toll on public safety workers as they tried to help their community.

• Positive outcomes and improved camaraderie among the team post-crisis.

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

Ep 597 features Stephen, a Senior Telecommunicator with Danville Fire Department Emergency Communications.

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Episode topics –

• Stephen shares his journey into public safety and how he started as a junior firefighter at the age of 16.

• The transition from EMS to corrections and eventually into dispatch.

• Importance of good training and support system for new hires in dispatch.

• Discussions on how public safety professions can affect personal relationships and parenting.

• The significance of talking about mental health and wellness in this profession.

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