Being a 911 dispatcher can be a mentally demanding job, as they are tasked with helping people navigate through traumatic experiences every day. Brandy Dahlin, who has been working as a dispatcher for 17 years, shared her experience of assisting a woman in giving her husband CPR on the side of the road. She emphasized the emotional challenges that come with the job and how it can take a toll on one’s mental health.
Ashly Madrid-Ulrich, an eight-year veteran of dispatching, highlighted that the job is not like what is portrayed on television. Dispatchers often deal with intense situations that can deeply affect them. Despite the high stress levels, they continue to do their work out of compassion for those who call in for help. They use various coping mechanisms such as hitting the gym, meditation or therapy to manage their work-related stress.
Dahlin pointed out that not knowing what happens to the person on the other end of the line can deeply impact dispatchers. While they strive to let insults and criticisms roll off their shoulders, they sometimes feel like people forget that they are human too. Working as a 911 dispatcher requires a high level of emotional resilience in order to provide help and support to those experiencing emergencies.