Within The Trenches

This episode is sponsored by the 911 Training Institute, unique mental health expertise for the very first responder. This episode is also supported by INdigital, a leader in Next-Gen Core Services.  This episode features Leah, Deputy Director with Grand Traverse 9-1-1 out of Michigan.  As always if you have any comments, questions or you would like to be a guest on the show send an email to wttpodcast@gmail.com.  Sponsor - 911 Training Institute – Facebook | Twitter | Web Episode topics - Leah's 9-1-1 story Social media, Disasters and the PSAP Hurricane Harvey and the PSAP And more

Ep 168 is sponsored by the 911 Training Institute and supported by INdigital. This episode features Chris, Director of Barren-Metcalfe Emergency Communications Center out of Kentucky and was recorded at the NENA SBP conference in Orlando, Florida. In this episode Chris shares his 9-1-1 story, details on the Kentucky 9-1-1 Summit and his opinion on a possible change in the dispatch identifier of PSAP to something more fitting of what a dispatch center does now. This is an episode you don't want to miss. As always if you have any comments, questions or you would like to be a guest on the show send an email to wttpodcast@gmail.com.  Article mentioned in episode - Facebook rolls out AI to detect suicidal posts before they’re reported - Web Podcast Sponsor - 911 Training Institute – Facebook | Twitter | Web Episode topics - Chris's 9-1-1 story Kentucky Training Summit www.the911summit.com Should the name PSAP be changed to something else? Should the name "dispatcher" be changed to something else? Facebook suicide

Ep 167 features Mary, Deputy Director with MACECOM out of Washington state. This episode is sponsored by the 911 Training Institute and supported by INdigital, a leader in Next-Gen Core Services. In this episode Mary talks about what is new at her dispatch center and informs our listeners of the upcoming Western Regional Conference in Tacoma, Washington. We also tackle the debate of "what is your emergency?" versus "where is your emergency?" It's a debate that has been out there for some time but has been recently brought to the frontline with the launch of FOX's new show, "9-1-1." It's an episode you don't want to miss and for more information on the Western Regional Conference follow the links below.  Podcast Sponsor – 911 Training Institute – Facebook | Twitter | Web MACECOM - Facebook | Twitter | Web Western Regional Conference -  We are pleased to announce that there is an app now available to support the 2018 APCO Western Regional Conference. You will need to download the “eventbase” app from the approp

Ep 166 is sponsored by the 911 Training Institute and supported by INdigital, a leader in Next-Gen Core Services. This episode features Rob "Big Mac" McMullen, director at Vigo County 9-1-1 out of Indiana and current President of NENA. In this episode we catch up on what he is doing with NENA, automated dispatching and the new FOX TV series, "9-1-1."  As always if you have any comments questions or you would like to be a guest on the show please send an email to wttpodcast@gmail.com.  Podcast Sponsor - 911 Training Institute - Facebook | Twitter | Web Episode topics - Catching up with Rob Automated dispatching Dispatch Debbie FOX TV series - 9-1-1

Imagine a bright sunny day on the farm while your son plays outside. You are on your tractor and realize you don’t see your son anymore. Panic sets in…Now imagine your 9-1-1 taking the call of a frantic father who has run over his child. The pain in his voice is haunting...   This is what it’s like, within the trenches.    In this episode, you will hear stories from the IAM911 movement, a movement I started to fight the reclassification of dispatchers from clerical to protective and bring awareness to the types of calls that 9-1-1 dispatchers answer on a daily basis. This episode is the last one for 2017 and it ends with an announcement that I have been teasing for weeks.    Now…you heard the warning at the beginning but I must warn you again and add that if you suffer from PTSD or have suicidal tendencies you are listening at your own risk. The stories you are about to hear are all true and come from the dispatchers who lived them.    While some stories have a good outcome, the majority are horrifying. This

Ep 164 features the co-founder of The Healthy Dispatcher, Adam Timm. In this episode Adam gives an overview of his history from 9-1-1 dispatcher to health and mental wellness advocate. He talks about the first ever 9-1-1 Training Summit held in Charlotte, North Carolina in partnership with the Denise Amber Lee Foundation. We also talk about resolutions for the new year and what we can do to avoid stress in the workplace.  This is a must listen! As always if you have any comments, questions or you would like to be a guest on the show send an email to wttpodcast@gmail.com.  The Healthy Dispatcher - Facebook | Twitter | Web Denise Amber Lee Foundation - Facebook | Twitter | Web Episode topics - The Healthy Dispatcher overview 9-1-1 Training Summit Avoiding stress in the workplace for the new year And more

Ep 163 features Jim Marshall, Director of the 911 Training Institute and Ryan Dedmon, Outreach Director. In this episode we reveal the details of the Survive & Thrive Fit Challenge. Per Ryan, "The Survive & Thrive Fit Challenge is a collaborative partnership between the 911 Training Institute and Within the Trenches Podcast. Jim Marshall, the Director of the 911 Training Institute, developed this challenge after Survive & Thrive, one of his more popular training classes for dispatchers. Partnering with Ricardo Martinez, the Creator of Within the Trenches Podcast and Founder of the #IAM911 Movement, both men will begin a fitness journey together. They invite dispatchers, and all other first-responders, to join them on their journey to improve overall health, wellness, and quality of life at home and work. Use #SurviveThriveFC on social media to join and share your experiences. The official logo of the Survive & Thrive Fit Challenge, created by Within the Trenches Podcast. #SurviveThriveFC"   Th

Ep 162 of Within the Trenches features Megan, alternate lead dispatcher with Cascade County, Great Falls Police Dispatch in Montana. In this episode Megan shares how she got into dispatching, calls that have stuck with her and a call that resulted in something rare in the world of dispatching. She got the opportunity to meet a caller and the callers father, a man she helped save through CPR instructions she gave. This is a must listen! As always if you have any comments, questions or you would like to be a guest on the show send an email to wttpodcast@gmail.com. KRTV News Report - Episode topics - Megan's 9-1-1 story The calls you learn from Lifesaver And more...

Ep 161 is the last of a series of episodes recorded live at the Illinois Public Safety Telecommunications Association conference. This was a hell of a show and I look forward to returning. Thank you to everyone for hosting the show and to those who stopped by to say hello, take pictures and especially to those who were guests on the podcast. This episode features Vanessa, supervisor with West Suburban consolidated dispatch center. In this episode Vanessa shares her 9-1-1 story and those that have stuck with her. This is a must listen! As always if you have any comments, questions or you would like to be a guest on the show send an email to wttpodcast@gmail.com. Episode topics - Vanessa's 9-1-1 story Being suspicious of everyone Dark humor in 9-1-1 And more 

This episode is sponsored by Dispatch In Depth. A new podcast by the IAED. You can catch new episodes on iTunes, Stitcher Radio and Soundcloud. Ep 160 of Within the Trenches features Becky, ACS, or acting communications supervisor, and Mark a telecommunicator with Southeast Emergency Communications in IL.  In this episode both Becky and Mark share their 9-1-1 story, how they got started, calls that have stuck with them and how they can make one question the decisions they make in a moments notice. It’s a must listen! As always, if you have any comments, questions or you would like to be a guest on the show send an email to wttpodcast@gmail.com.   Podcast Sponsor –  Dispatch In Depth by the IAED – iTunes | Stitcher Radio | Soundcloud Episode topics – Becky's 9-1-1 story Mark's 9-1-1 story Calls that stuck with them Running scenarios In dispatch mode out of the center

This episode is sponsored by Dispatch In Depth. A new podcast by the IAED. You can catch new episodes on iTunes, Stitcher Radio and Soundcloud. Ep 159 of Within the Trenches features Rachel, Public Safety IT PM with Wake County out of NC and guest regular, director of Vigo County and President of NENA Rob ‘Bigmac’ McMullen. In this episode Rachel shares her 9-1-1 story. She talks about how she started in dispatch and switched over to a Public Safety IT PM. This episode spirals into hilarity as we talk about 9-1-1 topics and listen to a news story out of Polk County, FL that will have you cracking up. It's a must listen! As always, if you have any comments, questions or you would like to be a guest on the show send an email to wttpodcast@gmail.com.    Podcast Sponsor –  Dispatch In Depth by the IAED – iTunes | Stitcher Radio | Soundcloud Episode topics - Funny intro Rachel's 9-1-1 story Lip cheese Trotting to jail And more

Episode 158 features Kim Turner, Communications Manager for San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department in California. She’s also the President of Kim Turner LLC. In this episode Kim tells her 9-1-1 story from dispatch to a police officer and back to run a dispatch center. She shares her experience with a car accident that caused a traumatic brain injury and how dispatch saved her life. She also shares stories from two major incidents in and around her county.  This is a must listen! As always if you have any comments, questions or you want to be a guest on the show, send an email to wttpodcast@gmail.com.   Podcast Sponsor -  Dispatch In Depth by the IAED - iTunes | Stitcher Radio | Soundcloud Guest - Kim Turner, LLC - Facebook | Twitter | Web San Bernardino County Terrorist Attack - http://www.cnn.com/2015/12/02/us/san-bernardino-shooting/index.html Episode topics - Kim's 9-1-1 story How 9-1-1 dispatch saved her life The Christopher Dorner incident San Bernardino County Terrorist Attack And more...

Ep 157 features Tracy Eldridge, 9-1-1 Operations Lead for RapidSOS. This episode was recorded live at the 2017 IPSTA conference at the Crowne Plaza in Springfield, Illinois. In this episode Tracy shares her 9-1-1 dispatch story, her realization of having PTSD, dealing with it and her transition from the dispatch center to becoming an Industry Partner with RapidSOS. This is a must listen so please check it out and share. If there are any questions for Tracy regarding her training or PTSD advice please email her at teldridge@rapidsos.com. As always if you have any comments, questions or you would like to be a guest on the show email wttpodcast@gmail.com.    Sponsored by Dispatch In Depth Podcast by IAED iTunes | Soundcloud | Stitcher Radio Mentioned in the podcast -  PTSD BUNKER GEAR FOR YOUR BRAIN http://www.ptsdbunkergearforyourbrain.com/ Episode topics - Tracy's 9-1-1 story A call with Lexi Battling PTSD Dispatch Training A transition to RapidSOS

This episode is brought to you by Dispatch In Depth--a new podcast for emergency dispatchers. If you like Within The Trenches, you’re gonna want to check it out. Dispatch In Depth takes you deep into the why and how of emergency dispatching. It's produced by the International Academies of Emergency Dispatch and hosted by Isabel Gardett, the Director of Academics at IAED. Each episode features an interview with experts in the field including researchers, dispatchers, responders and public safety officials—who talk about the work they’re doing to make emergency dispatching as safe and effective as possible. I’ve listened to each episode and they are educational and entertaining. Would you believe that levels of evidence for example on CPR protocols can be decided on with the help of animal studies? Pig studies led to the new compressions only that showed better outcomes in pigs. These studies can be compared to humans but, I don’t want to give away anymore. It’s something you have to listen to. The episode is C

Ep 155 features Dee, a dispatcher out of the city of Rockport, Texas. In this episode Dee shares her 9-1-1 story as well as what it was like to work in dispatch during Hurricane Harvey. Rockport was ground zero for this hurricane and her story is an amazing one. From the city running out of resources to no cell service for weeks, Dee, along with her crew and those on the road worked hard. But what if you have to tell someone no to a request for help? In dispatch you don't tell people no but in this situation...there is no other option.  This is a must listen. To Dee, her crew, those out on the road and the TERT team that came out to assist, thank you for what you do and thank you for sharing this story. As always, if you have any comments, questions or you would like to be a guest on the show send an email to wttpodcast@gmail.com. CNN Report on Hurricane Harvey Episode topics - Dee's 9-1-1 story Hurricane Harvey 

Ep 154 is an extension of the podcast called Imagine Listening. It features the stories from the #IAM911 movement but this episodes' stories come from the 9-1-1 professionals of the Kentucky Emergency Services Conference. Following their stories is a presentation I gave at the conference. For years I have helped tell the stories of 9-1-1 dispatchers from all over the world but this time it's my turn. There are four videos shown during this presentation that you can view below. This is a must listen and share. As always if you have any comments, questions, or you would like to be a guest on the show send an email to wttpodcast@gmail.com.     Behind the Mic: Stories from the trenches - WZZM13 Media Coverage of the podcast - #IAM911 Video - Project #IAM911 Video - Episode topics - #IAM911 stories from the Kentucky Emergency Services Conference My personal #IAM911 story - Within the Trenches - Keep Broadcasting Your Message

Ep 153 of Within the Trenches features Todd Sparrow, Director at Lawrenceburg 9-1-1 in Kentucky. In this episode Todd reflects on 35 years of public safety service, calls that have stuck with him, the Kentucky Emergency Services Conference and more. For more information on the conference please see the links below.  As always if you have any comments, questions or you would like to be a guest on the show please send an email to wttpodcast@gmail.com. Kentucky Emergency Services Conference - Facebook | Web     Episode topics - Todd's 9-1-1 story A domestic call at 16 years of age Kentucky Emergency Services Conference #IAM911

Ep 152 is an extension of the podcast called Imagine Listening. This episode features the stories of the #IAM911 movement. It also features a former police officer who tells his story of a burglary call he went out to that resulted in an officer involved shooting. This is an episode you do not want to miss. Make sure to check out the links below and as always if you have any comments, questions, or you would like to be a guest on the show send an email to wttpodcast@gmail.com.       Natalie Harris - Podcast | Website A letter to the man I killed - Officer Involved (Documentary) - Website Episode topics - #IAM911 stories Burglary radio traffic Audio - A letter to the man I killed

Today, August 24 2017 marks the one year anniversary of when I started the #IAM911 movement. In this episode we will take a look back at why I started it, the explosion, media coverage and the future of the movement. It has been one hell of a year and I thank all of you for the support. I may have started this but it is because of the entire Thin Gold Line that made it a global success.  If you have any comments, questions or you would like to be a guest on the show send an email to wttpodcast@gmail.com.       Episode topics - Medical recap A look back at episode 114 #IAM911 explosion Media coverage Future

Ep 151 features Brianna, Benton County Emergency Communications out of Arkansas & Rob McMullen, director of Vigo County out of Indiana & NENA President. This episode begins with my first day in San Antonio, Texas for the NENA national conference and a 9-1-1 call I had to make on a couple who was arguing and at one point the male half was hanging from a parking garage. Brianna and Rob tell stories of their own and share what is in store for Rob as the incoming President of the National Emergency Number Association (NENA.)  This episode was recorded live at the National NENA conference in San Antonio, Texas and is a must listen. As always if you have any questions, comments or you want to be a guest on the show please send an email to wttpodcast@gmail.com.    Episode topics - The domestic at the top of the parking garage What is FirstNet? Rob for President And more!