"stress"
APCO Seeks Comments on Candidate Standard Detecting Early Warning Symptoms of Stress in the Public Safety Telecommunicator
September 1, 2022APCO International is seeking comments for the candidate American National Standard (ANS) for Detecting Early Warning Symptoms of Stress in the Public Safety Telecommunicator.
Read full articleAPCO Welcomes Introduction of Important Wellness Legislation, the PROTECT 9-1-1 Act
July 1, 2021Today, U.S. Representatives Robin Kelly (D-IL), Norma Torres (D-CA), Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA), and Peter Meijer (R-MI) introduced the Providing Resources and Occupational Training for Emotional Crisis and Trauma in 9-1-1 Act, or the ‘‘PROTECT 9-1-1 Act.”
Read full articleStress Continues to Plague Telecommunicators
July 2, 2020In the course of your responsibilities as a 9-1-1 call taker or emergency dispatcher, have you ever experienced physical or emotional effects such as a fast heart rate, clammy palms, thinking about calls after work, trouble sleeping, or avoiding calls or friends? Have you found yourself wondering in silence if your coworkers are feeling the same way?
Read full articleShots Fired—Officer Down: A Dispatcher’s Response
August 15, 2016On October 16, 2014, Jeremy Morris, dispatcher at the McHenry County (IL) Sheriff’s Office, was drinking Diet Coke with dispatcher Kelly Reid, his legs kicked up on the radio console during a relatively slow midnight shift.
Read full articleStress and the 9-1-1 Telecommunicator
September 3, 2015When Caitlin Sampsell decided to go back to school to earn a master’s degree in Public Administration from Western Michigan University last year, she chose a master’s research theme that was relevant to her life and work.
Read full articleTackling Burnout in the Workplace
August 14, 2015It’s the middle of summer. You’re working an overnight shift again while it seems as if everyone else in the world is relaxing at home with friends or family or getting a good night’s rest.
Read full articleStress Management for Public Safety Telecommunicators
April 16, 2013One of the problems that plague our industry is high turnover. No matter where I travel to teach, I meet telecommunicators, supervisors and managers who state one of the biggest problems is keeping a full staff. … I am willing to bet that the majority of people who leave the field is probably not going to list stress as a reason for leaving. I have only had one person admit to me, within a couple of weeks of training, that they were too overwhelmed with the job.
Read full articleChoices: Public Safety Telecommunicators Must Support Each Other
July 14, 2012I was on a social network site for 9-1-1 professionals yesterday and came across a posting by an unhappy dispatcher….
Read full articleAPCO International Commends Study on 9-1-1 Dispatchers and PTSD Symptoms
March 30, 2012Daytona Beach, FL – Responding to newly released research on 9-1-1 telecommunicators and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) published in the Journal of Traumatic Stress, Gregg Riddle, president of APCO International, the world’s largest organization of public safety communications professionals, released the following statement commending the work of research leader Dr. Michelle Lilly, Northern Illinois University psychologist, and her team:
Read full articleDuty-Related Trauma Exposure in 9-1-1 Telecommunicators
March 29, 2012“Our research is the first to reveal the extent of emotional distress experienced by emergency dispatchers while on duty. The results show the need to provide these workers with prevention and intervention support as is currently provided for their frontline colleagues. This includes briefings and training in ways to handle emotional distress.”
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