You inspired me through the #IAM911 Movement
Since the birth of the #IAM911 Movement, something changed. It was as if we were finally able to feel when in the past it seemed as though we were not allowed to. We needed to move on to the next call and push to make sure everyone was safe. Although that remains true in a sense, the difference now is that we are sharing our stories and allowing ourselves to feel. We have opened the eyes of millions of people around the world to what it is really like to answer a 9-1-1 call. It is not easy, and it is stressful, but it is rewarding and fulfilling. Those in public safety and those in the general public have praised dispatchers for the job they do and the calls they carry with them. Some, however, have said that they cannot share the stories because it could hurt recruitment. Why did they feel this way? It’s because of the harsh reality of the calls that 9-1-1 dispatchers take and the possibility of scaring them off.
The reality of this is that the stories shared for the #IAM911 Movement has helped in ways of impacting lives by helping those who have shared in a therapeutic way, as well as, those who read them to experience a form of closure and healing. It has also helped recruitment by showing what it’s really like. Those who read find a sense of fulfillment in service by assisting those in need. Below is an email I recently received. I have had several people email me concerning the movement, how it changed them, and how it motivated them to become a 9-1-1 professional but this one…this one I wanted to share, with permission of course, and it shows how the stories of the movement have changed the way people think about the work that dispatchers do on a daily basis.
Ricardo,
I wanted to take a moment to say thank you.
You have stated numerous times that a Dispatcher position is a thankless job. I would not feel right if I did not reach out to you to let you know I am changing careers after 17 years to a 9-1-1 Dispatcher because of you. Thank you!
I currently work as a QA Analyst for a well known cruise line. I have been there for 17 years and worked in many different departments.
I have a hobby where I listen to scanner traffic for the community I live in and run 2 facebook groups and a twitter account. I had always been interested in knowing what goes on the other side of the scanner. WithinTheTrenches Podcast has definitely shed light on that. After hearing the #IAM911 Movement episodes and reading the thousands of #IAM911 stories submitted by dispatchers from all over the world inspired me to change careers. I have spent the last 3 years applying, testing, interviewing and going through extensive background investigations and finally have been hired by one of the largest police agencies in the country.
I would not feel right if I did not reach out to you and let you know that if it wasn't for you, your podcast and the #IAM911 Movement, I don't think I would have thought to switch careers. You have reached me, someone you don't know, and made a difference in my life. I hope I can pay that forward one day and make a difference in the life of someone I don't even know.
Any advise you could give a green dispatcher would be great.
Thank you from the bottom of my heart and soul Ricardo.
This is proof that something has changed in our industry and that change comes from dispatch. I can’t take full credit because if it wasn’t for the thousands of dispatchers who shared their stories, and the job they do, we wouldn’t be here. Instead I share this moment with the Thin Gold Line and those who have shared, and continue to share for the #IAM911 Movement. A big thanks goes out to the person who sent this to me and gave me permission to share it. Stay strong and hang in there. You’ve got this! I also wrote a very long email back with green dispatcher advice. Big things are happening in 9-1-1 and it all starts with sharing a story. Thank you to every person who has shared and to those who support #IAM911. The movement continues…
Below you will find a recruitment video that holds true to #IAM911. I thought it was very well done so kudos to all of you at Lyon County 9-1-1!