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[237] - Behind the Mic: The Untold Story of 911 Dispatchers with Deborah Green
Manage episode 475531629 series 3340621
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What happens after the emergency call ends? For 911 dispatchers, the trauma doesn’t just stop when they hang up – it sticks with them, call after call, year after year. And over time, it takes a serious toll on their mental and physical health.
In this raw and eye-opening chat, Deborah Green, a former 911 dispatcher with more than 20 years of experience, opens up about the brutal realities of working the graveyard shift. Deborah’s career ultimately led to PTSD and a range of health problems, from hypertension to heart surgery, diabetes, and depression.
She takes us behind the headset to share some of the most harrowing moments of her career – from listening to people being stabbed and shot, to parents discovering the unthinkable. All while feeling helpless, stuck on the other end of the line. It’s a role that few truly understand – and one that takes a toll in ways many don’t realise.
In this episode, Deborah talks about:
- The mental and physical cost of being a 911 dispatcher
- The link between constant trauma exposure and health issues like heart problems, anxiety, depression, and PTSD
- How working odd hours and disrupted sleep can mess with your health
- Why mental health support for dispatchers is so crucial
- The importance of recognising dispatchers as true first responders
- Deborah’s own journey through PTSD and the impact it had on her life
- Advice for new dispatchers on how to cope and look after their mental well-being
As we mark National Public Telecommunicator Week in the US, Deborah’s story is a call for global recognition of the essential work dispatchers do. She also shares how important it is for new dispatchers to have access to support systems from day one – and how we all can do better to support these unsung heroes.
Have you taken a moment to thank your local emergency telecommunicators? These quiet heroes deserve our appreciation and support. Their job is tough, and they’re often the first to respond, even if you never see them.
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Disclaimer: Roger Sutherland is not a doctor or a medical professional. Always consult a physician before implementing any strategies mentioned in this podcast. Use of this information is strictly at your own risk. Roger Sutherland will not assume any liability for direct or indirect losses or damages that may result from the use of the information contained in this podcast including but not limited to economic loss, injury, illness, or death.
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Chapters
1. Introduction to National Telecommunicator Week (00:00:00)
2. Deborah's Background in Dispatch (00:04:24)
3. Daily Life of a 911 Dispatcher (00:07:42)
4. Trauma Exposure in Dispatch Work (00:10:01)
5. Health Impacts of Night Shifts (00:15:06)
6. PTSD Diagnosis and Mental Health Journey (00:20:49)
7. Creating Supportive Dispatch Environments (00:35:02)
8. Stigma and Mental Health in Dispatch (00:40:42)
9. Public Recognition of Dispatchers (00:46:23)
10. Advice for New Dispatchers (00:54:42)
11. Episode Conclusion (00:59:48)
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