What a collaboration of people! Look around at any communications center and you’ll find a diverse group of people. People from all walks of life with different backgrounds, various education levels, pooling strengths and weaknesses, making incredible teams capable of handling one of the most demanding professions in the world, that of a public safety communications professional.

The reality is that bad things happen, and people are what matter. In the midst of someone’s tragedy on possibly the worst day of their life, when the stress of the job at hand is at its highest, we never lose sight of the human factor. We are conscious that someone is in need of the very best that we can give and unselfishly we are honored to serve and welcome the challenge.

Embracing the risk, we are not afraid to try new things, experiencing the triumphs and joy, doing the best we can with anything given and finding our next steps forward. We live and work in a world that is a paradox; a constant balance between compassion and action, fairness and firmness, living between listening and talking. Our challenge is a constant struggle to find balance.

We are so diverse and yet so similar. The unity that we bring to the communications center doesn’t always mean conformity. Our individuality shines through in each and every thing that we do. We don’t all play the same instrument but together we form a band. There are no lone rangers, we know that we don’t need a title to be a leader, we comprehend that when the tide comes in it lifts all the boats. We are a bunch of sell outs. Sold out to doing the very best that we possibly can. With this clarity comes the wisdom to do a job that most would find impossible.

As terrific as we are, what if we allowed ourselves to think differently? What if we change what is considered normal in our centers? What if we take the ordinary and make it extraordinary, bridge the gap between good and excellence? What if we were willing to step out of our comfort zone, to look for ways to improve our lives and the lives of those around us – conventional or unconventional ways? Instead of meeting expectations, what if we refused to accept the status quo and aim our sights on exceeding expectations? As public safety communications professionals, let’s commit ourselves to be part of the revolution. If we live like champions we perform like champions.

Being a public safety communications professional is the theater and every call you receive is the stage!

Co-Author Richard Thacker

Co-Author Robert R. Stahelin II