3rd Annual 911 PSAP Seminar

Good Morning!

I had the privilege yesterday of attending the 3^rd Annual 911 PSAP Seminar.  I love this training.  It is FREE training offered to 911 dispatchers around the state of Idaho and provides a great opportunity to meet and greet and network with other dispatchers that I often talk to but don’t see.  I attended the conference last year as well.

This year’s PSAP conference was just as exceptional.  It was again held at the Red Lion Downtown and while they made a few changes from last year it was still a great venue.  I thought the line for food at lunch was a bit unorganized and I wasn’t a fan of the chair set-up in the ballroom.  It all just felt a bit clustered.  Despite those two things it was a really enjoyable time.

The first session I attended was instructed by Lacy Craig, and her counterpart Val,  and discussed the Fusion Center.  This is a centralized resource available to all Law Enforcement and should be utilized.  I loved learning more about the center and where I can direct other agencies that call with questions (since ISP is often the catch-all for questions and requests from around the state).

The afternoon session I attended was instructed by Sgt. Joe Ramirez at Nampa PD and discussed Critical Incidents.  Sgt. Ramirez has many years of experience on various task forces in crisis negotiations.  We discussed mostly the suicidal caller and how to navigate those difficult situations.

The last session was instructed by Norby Rudel at Internal Performance.  He discussed the difficult working environment of the dispatch center and how positive reinforcement/feedback can help.  As dispatchers we often don’t hear “thank you” or “good job” and it is important to make sure your coworkers feel appreciated.  We also worked through scenarios for giving improvement feedback as well. 

The original keynote speaker was unable to attend so a last minute switch was made.  Edwin Hutchinson, Ph.D, L.C.S.W, from Coeur d’ Alene was flown in to talk with us.  He is a counselor with many years experience.  I really loved his down-to-earth and honest approach.  What really stayed with me was when he explained that as dispatchers we are there with nobody else is.  We answer the phone when the caller doesn’t have anybody else to talk to.  We hold an important job and you should enjoy what you do but the job itself isn’t your life.  What you do outside your job is your life.  He explained that we are all self employed.  Really?  Self employed?  Yes.  He explained that each day you charge the State of Idaho a contracted amount of money for one unit of your life.  However, if something happens to you and you have to spend time in the hospital that you will be charged a large amount for that one unit of your life.  The return investment isn’t that great and we need to take good care of ourselves.