CHARLOTTE Mich. (WLNS) – The second week of April is Public Security Telecommunicators Week, a time to acknowledge emergency dispatchers and their contributions to communities.
6 Information spent Thursday afternoon at Eaton County Central Dispatch and bought a behind-the-scenes take a look at how this essential job will get executed. Dispatchers are answerable for getting folks the assistance they want by sending police, EMS, and fireplace providers. They’re all the time juggling duties, making certain that the caller is okay, and managing the primary responders they’re sending out.
This job is an enormous duty, and dispatchers like Megan Declercq say it is a lot extra than simply answering the cellphone.
Megan Declercq (WLNS)
“We are talking to people over and over again on the worst day of their lives, and it’s our everyday,” mentioned Declercq.
Emergency operators are ready for something once they decide up the cellphone, and Declercq’s multitasking abilities are a ten out of ten. She is answerable for calming down callers whereas getting essential info out of them. On the similar time, she’s relaying that info to first responders.
“It’s called split ear, you have to develop it. I can listen to three different conversations at once,” mentioned Declercq.
Because the group celebrates Public Security Telecommunicators Week, so are the dispatchers. They’re celebrating with particular themes and awards that honor one in all their very own who they misplaced. Declercq acquired the Stork Award for efficiently serving to a lady ship a child over the cellphone.
Declercq’s desk setup (WLNS)
“To be able to have fun and get a little recognition is always nice,” mentioned Declercq.
The county’s Central Dispatch Director, Kelley Cunningham, mentioned 911 dispatchers undergo 6 to 9 months of coaching. As soon as they’re prepared, they work 12-hour shifts that contain a whole lot of teamwork.
“This job is not an easy job, but you also have this sense of pride because you’re making a difference,” Cunningham mentioned.
Operators say if you name 911, inform them your location straight away to allow them to assist. In relation to being a dispatcher, Declercq mentioned persistence and empathy can go a great distance when answering calls.
“It’s crazy how fast you can calm someone down by you staying calm, and telling them that you have the plan, and being the voice of reason in their chaos,” mentioned Declercq.
The dispatch heart mentioned it has 16 dispatchers and 6 supervisors, and so they get round 114,000 calls a 12 months.
One other tip from telecommunicators is in case you by chance name 911, do not hold up and fake it did not occur. This is not useful as a result of dispatchers must discover you and ensure you’re okay. As an alternative, merely clarify to the dispatcher that it was a mistake.
