Within The Trenches

Ep 162 of Within the Trenches features Megan, alternate lead dispatcher with Cascade County, Great Falls Police Dispatch in Montana. In this episode Megan shares how she got into dispatching, calls that have stuck with her and a call that resulted in something rare in the world of dispatching. She got the opportunity to meet a caller and the callers father, a man she helped save through CPR instructions she gave. This is a must listen! As always if you have any comments, questions or you would like to be a guest on the show send an email to wttpodcast@gmail.com. KRTV News Report - Episode topics - Megan's 9-1-1 story The calls you learn from Lifesaver And more...

Ep 161 is the last of a series of episodes recorded live at the Illinois Public Safety Telecommunications Association conference. This was a hell of a show and I look forward to returning. Thank you to everyone for hosting the show and to those who stopped by to say hello, take pictures and especially to those who were guests on the podcast. This episode features Vanessa, supervisor with West Suburban consolidated dispatch center. In this episode Vanessa shares her 9-1-1 story and those that have stuck with her. This is a must listen! As always if you have any comments, questions or you would like to be a guest on the show send an email to wttpodcast@gmail.com. Episode topics - Vanessa's 9-1-1 story Being suspicious of everyone Dark humor in 9-1-1 And more 

This episode is sponsored by Dispatch In Depth. A new podcast by the IAED. You can catch new episodes on iTunes, Stitcher Radio and Soundcloud. Ep 160 of Within the Trenches features Becky, ACS, or acting communications supervisor, and Mark a telecommunicator with Southeast Emergency Communications in IL.  In this episode both Becky and Mark share their 9-1-1 story, how they got started, calls that have stuck with them and how they can make one question the decisions they make in a moments notice. It’s a must listen! As always, if you have any comments, questions or you would like to be a guest on the show send an email to wttpodcast@gmail.com.   Podcast Sponsor –  Dispatch In Depth by the IAED – iTunes | Stitcher Radio | Soundcloud Episode topics – Becky's 9-1-1 story Mark's 9-1-1 story Calls that stuck with them Running scenarios In dispatch mode out of the center

This episode is sponsored by Dispatch In Depth. A new podcast by the IAED. You can catch new episodes on iTunes, Stitcher Radio and Soundcloud. Ep 159 of Within the Trenches features Rachel, Public Safety IT PM with Wake County out of NC and guest regular, director of Vigo County and President of NENA Rob ‘Bigmac’ McMullen. In this episode Rachel shares her 9-1-1 story. She talks about how she started in dispatch and switched over to a Public Safety IT PM. This episode spirals into hilarity as we talk about 9-1-1 topics and listen to a news story out of Polk County, FL that will have you cracking up. It's a must listen! As always, if you have any comments, questions or you would like to be a guest on the show send an email to wttpodcast@gmail.com.    Podcast Sponsor –  Dispatch In Depth by the IAED – iTunes | Stitcher Radio | Soundcloud Episode topics - Funny intro Rachel's 9-1-1 story Lip cheese Trotting to jail And more

Episode 158 features Kim Turner, Communications Manager for San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department in California. She’s also the President of Kim Turner LLC. In this episode Kim tells her 9-1-1 story from dispatch to a police officer and back to run a dispatch center. She shares her experience with a car accident that caused a traumatic brain injury and how dispatch saved her life. She also shares stories from two major incidents in and around her county.  This is a must listen! As always if you have any comments, questions or you want to be a guest on the show, send an email to wttpodcast@gmail.com.   Podcast Sponsor -  Dispatch In Depth by the IAED - iTunes | Stitcher Radio | Soundcloud Guest - Kim Turner, LLC - Facebook | Twitter | Web San Bernardino County Terrorist Attack - http://www.cnn.com/2015/12/02/us/san-bernardino-shooting/index.html Episode topics - Kim's 9-1-1 story How 9-1-1 dispatch saved her life The Christopher Dorner incident San Bernardino County Terrorist Attack And more...

Ep 157 features Tracy Eldridge, 9-1-1 Operations Lead for RapidSOS. This episode was recorded live at the 2017 IPSTA conference at the Crowne Plaza in Springfield, Illinois. In this episode Tracy shares her 9-1-1 dispatch story, her realization of having PTSD, dealing with it and her transition from the dispatch center to becoming an Industry Partner with RapidSOS. This is a must listen so please check it out and share. If there are any questions for Tracy regarding her training or PTSD advice please email her at teldridge@rapidsos.com. As always if you have any comments, questions or you would like to be a guest on the show email wttpodcast@gmail.com.    Sponsored by Dispatch In Depth Podcast by IAED iTunes | Soundcloud | Stitcher Radio Mentioned in the podcast -  PTSD BUNKER GEAR FOR YOUR BRAIN http://www.ptsdbunkergearforyourbrain.com/ Episode topics - Tracy's 9-1-1 story A call with Lexi Battling PTSD Dispatch Training A transition to RapidSOS

This episode is brought to you by Dispatch In Depth--a new podcast for emergency dispatchers. If you like Within The Trenches, you’re gonna want to check it out. Dispatch In Depth takes you deep into the why and how of emergency dispatching. It's produced by the International Academies of Emergency Dispatch and hosted by Isabel Gardett, the Director of Academics at IAED. Each episode features an interview with experts in the field including researchers, dispatchers, responders and public safety officials—who talk about the work they’re doing to make emergency dispatching as safe and effective as possible. I’ve listened to each episode and they are educational and entertaining. Would you believe that levels of evidence for example on CPR protocols can be decided on with the help of animal studies? Pig studies led to the new compressions only that showed better outcomes in pigs. These studies can be compared to humans but, I don’t want to give away anymore. It’s something you have to listen to. The episode is C

Ep 155 features Dee, a dispatcher out of the city of Rockport, Texas. In this episode Dee shares her 9-1-1 story as well as what it was like to work in dispatch during Hurricane Harvey. Rockport was ground zero for this hurricane and her story is an amazing one. From the city running out of resources to no cell service for weeks, Dee, along with her crew and those on the road worked hard. But what if you have to tell someone no to a request for help? In dispatch you don't tell people no but in this situation...there is no other option.  This is a must listen. To Dee, her crew, those out on the road and the TERT team that came out to assist, thank you for what you do and thank you for sharing this story. As always, if you have any comments, questions or you would like to be a guest on the show send an email to wttpodcast@gmail.com. CNN Report on Hurricane Harvey Episode topics - Dee's 9-1-1 story Hurricane Harvey 

Ep 154 is an extension of the podcast called Imagine Listening. It features the stories from the #IAM911 movement but this episodes' stories come from the 9-1-1 professionals of the Kentucky Emergency Services Conference. Following their stories is a presentation I gave at the conference. For years I have helped tell the stories of 9-1-1 dispatchers from all over the world but this time it's my turn. There are four videos shown during this presentation that you can view below. This is a must listen and share. As always if you have any comments, questions, or you would like to be a guest on the show send an email to wttpodcast@gmail.com.     Behind the Mic: Stories from the trenches - WZZM13 Media Coverage of the podcast - #IAM911 Video - Project #IAM911 Video - Episode topics - #IAM911 stories from the Kentucky Emergency Services Conference My personal #IAM911 story - Within the Trenches - Keep Broadcasting Your Message

Ep 153 of Within the Trenches features Todd Sparrow, Director at Lawrenceburg 9-1-1 in Kentucky. In this episode Todd reflects on 35 years of public safety service, calls that have stuck with him, the Kentucky Emergency Services Conference and more. For more information on the conference please see the links below.  As always if you have any comments, questions or you would like to be a guest on the show please send an email to wttpodcast@gmail.com. Kentucky Emergency Services Conference - Facebook | Web     Episode topics - Todd's 9-1-1 story A domestic call at 16 years of age Kentucky Emergency Services Conference #IAM911

Ep 152 is an extension of the podcast called Imagine Listening. This episode features the stories of the #IAM911 movement. It also features a former police officer who tells his story of a burglary call he went out to that resulted in an officer involved shooting. This is an episode you do not want to miss. Make sure to check out the links below and as always if you have any comments, questions, or you would like to be a guest on the show send an email to wttpodcast@gmail.com.       Natalie Harris - Podcast | Website A letter to the man I killed - Officer Involved (Documentary) - Website Episode topics - #IAM911 stories Burglary radio traffic Audio - A letter to the man I killed

Today, August 24 2017 marks the one year anniversary of when I started the #IAM911 movement. In this episode we will take a look back at why I started it, the explosion, media coverage and the future of the movement. It has been one hell of a year and I thank all of you for the support. I may have started this but it is because of the entire Thin Gold Line that made it a global success.  If you have any comments, questions or you would like to be a guest on the show send an email to wttpodcast@gmail.com.       Episode topics - Medical recap A look back at episode 114 #IAM911 explosion Media coverage Future

Ep 151 features Brianna, Benton County Emergency Communications out of Arkansas & Rob McMullen, director of Vigo County out of Indiana & NENA President. This episode begins with my first day in San Antonio, Texas for the NENA national conference and a 9-1-1 call I had to make on a couple who was arguing and at one point the male half was hanging from a parking garage. Brianna and Rob tell stories of their own and share what is in store for Rob as the incoming President of the National Emergency Number Association (NENA.)  This episode was recorded live at the National NENA conference in San Antonio, Texas and is a must listen. As always if you have any questions, comments or you want to be a guest on the show please send an email to wttpodcast@gmail.com.    Episode topics - The domestic at the top of the parking garage What is FirstNet? Rob for President And more!

Episode 150 features Don, a dispatcher of  Sonoma County SO and Lee Ann, Dispatch Manager with Marin County SO out of California. In this episode we follow the 9-1-1 stories of Don and Lee Ann from the beginning to present day. We talk about the calls that stick with a person and those that can make or break ones career. This episode was recorded live at the National NENA conference in San Antonio, Texas and is a must listen.  As always if you have any comments, questions or you would like to be a guest on the show send an email to wttpodcast@gmail.com.     Episode topics - Don's 9-1-1 story Lee Ann's 9-1-1 story 9-1-1 calls that stick 9-1-1 calls that make or break a career Don's life size pic of Rob And more

Ep 149 features Jen, a telecommunicator out of an agency in Illinois. In this episode Jen tells her 9-1-1 story, shares some calls and stressors of the job, along with some educational points for those calling 9-1-1 on a cell phone and how cell phones can still be used to dial 9-1-1 even when there is no service. This is a must listen so please check it out and share. As always if you have any questions, comments or you would like to be a guest on the show send an email to wttpodcast@gmail.com.  Episode topics - Jen's 9-1-1 story 9-1-1 prank Kids playing on the phone and how to avoid it on a cell phone Always know where you are And more

Episode 148 features Adam Timm of The Healthy Dispatcher. This episode was recorded at the 2017 Michigan NENA conference in Lansing. In this episode Adam reflects on his dispatch career that spanned over 10 1/2 years in Los Angeles, California. He focuses on how stress from the job turned him into what his co-workers called him, "Angry Adam" and how going to classes to help deal with his stress helped him drop his angry persona and helped him realize his calling in helping his fellow dispatchers become less stressed and focus on their health and mental wellness. This is a must listen! As always if you have any comments, questions or you want to be a guest on the show send an email to wttpodcast@gmail.com. For more information on Adam Timm and The Healthy Dispatcher see the links below. The Healthy Dispatcher - Facebook | Linkedin |Twitter | Web       Episode topics - Adam's 9-1-1 story To judge or not to judge The death of "Angry Adam" The rise of The Healthy Dispatcher

Ep 147 was recorded in front of a live audience at the 2017 Indiana NENA/APCO conference. Dispatchers share their outrageous and funny calls.   As always if you have any comments, questions or you would like to be a guest on the show send an email to wttpodcast@gmail.com. Episode topics - Open mic - "That feels so good..." Open mic - "I'm willing to try..." 911 call - The billboard And much more

Today’s episode is a hard one. If you have followed the #IAM911 movement then you know that many of the stories told by the dispatchers who lived them are hard ones. There are some good ones but they are rare. Many 9-1-1 professionals have poured their hearts out for the movement and continue to do so. In doing this they have opened the eyes of millions to what they do every single time they answer a call. These professionals have also found a way to tell their stories, heal and find some sort of closure. As my team and I continued to help share these important stories I had a thought, “Why not reach an even bigger audience by sharing them on the podcast?” This is now known as “Imagine Listening”, an extension of the podcast featuring the stories of the #IAM911 movement. When recording these episodes, I read each story so that more people can get a feel for the types of calls, emotions and stress the dispatcher deals with. They have become quite popular and in this episode, I recorded it with a live audience.

Ep 145 features Sarah, Assistant Director at Kosciusko County out of Indiana and Curt, Sales Engineer with INdigital. In this episode we go back in time a few years to when Curt, who lived down the street from the Kosciusko County 9-1-1 dispatch center fell out of a tree and his wife had to call 9-1-1. Sarah, was the call taker that day and in this one story, they both found out what the other was doing before and after the call. To bring them together and allow for closure was a great experience.  This is a must listen so please check it out and share it. As always if you have any comments, questions or you would like to be a guest on the show, please send an email to wttpodcast@gmail.com.   Episode topics – Curt’s side of the 9-1-1 call Sarah's side of the 9-1-1 call Know your location And more

Episode 144 features show favorite Rob "Big Mac" McMullen and is the first Facebook Live episode. In this episode we play some funny 9-1-1 tapes, interact with our Facebook Live audience and share hilarious stories.  You don't want to miss this one! As always if you have any comments, questions or you would like to be a guest on the show, send an email to wttpodcast@gmail.com.         Episode topics - 9-1-1 stories Live at Indiana NENA/APCO conference 9-1-1 tapes