Emergency Dispatchers: Unsung Heroes Providing Critical Support and Coping with Stress

Dispatchers are the unsung heroes of emergency services, providing critical support during some of the most difficult moments in people’s lives. Brandy Dahlin, who has been a dispatcher for 17 years, recalls a particularly harrowing call when she had to guide a woman through giving her husband CPR. Even after all these years, Dahlin still needed a moment to process the emotional toll of that experience.

Ashly Madrid-Ulrich, who has been in the role for eight years, also emphasizes the importance of coping mechanisms for dispatchers to manage work-related stress. She says that dispatchers deal with intense situations and topics that can deeply affect them. Despite the challenges, they continue in their roles because of their compassion for those in need.

One thing that can be difficult for dispatchers is dealing with people on the other end of the line who forget that they are human too. Despite facing insults and misunderstandings, they strive to provide the best assistance possible. It’s important to remember that dispatchers are not just machines but real people with feelings and emotions just like everyone else.