Dispatchers are the unsung heroes of emergency services, working tirelessly to provide help and support to those in need. But for many dispatchers, the job takes a toll on their mental health. Ashly Madrid-Ulrich, who has been a dispatcher for eight years, shared her experience of dealing with intense situations that can deeply affect her emotionally. Despite the high stress, she continues to do the work out of compassion for those who call in for help.
Brandy Dahlin, who has been a dispatcher for 17 years, emphasized the emotional challenges of the job. She shared her experience of helping a woman give her husband CPR on the side of the road, highlighting the intense stress and emotional toll that comes with being a dispatcher. 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.
Dahlin explained that various coping mechanisms such as hitting the gym, meditation or therapy help them deal with work-related stress. However, she also stressed that working as a 911 dispatcher requires a high level of emotional resilience in order to provide help and support to those experiencing emergencies. It is not like what is portrayed on TV and people do not realize the intense stress and emotional toll that comes with being a dispatcher until they try it themselves.
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