You’ve read the ‘You know when you’re a (insert job title)’ for cops, firefighters, and medics. So, what about dispatchers? In honor of my brothers & sisters behind the radio & phones, here is my attempt. Feel free to chime in with your own and share with your co-workers.
You know you’ve been a dispatcher too long when....
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You occasionally answer your home phone with ‘dispatch' or 'what is your emergency?’
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You can eat a sandwich, run an inquiry on a wanted person, and carry a conversation on the phone at the same time.
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You can understand the word for ‘police’ in fifteen different languages.
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Your bladder is bigger than your stomach.
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You recall when Cadillac ambulances were used by EMS personnel.
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Your spouse and/or children are trained to say “She’s not here.” when anyone from work calls looking for you.
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You haven’t been to a movie theater to see a new flick since 1995.
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Your version of a ‘hot call’ was setting a card on fire and sending up the belt to the radio person.
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You remember the officers carrying call-box keys.
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You remember when 9-1-1 only showed the phone number of the caller.