I remember in my early teens watching the show Emergency featuring LA County Paramedics Johnny and Roy. Boy, I wanted to be just like them! I lived in a small town with a volunteer ambulance service and had to work hard to become part of that team and to show them that a good source of dedicated volunteers could come from the high school. After high school I went on to get my paramedic certification and spent many years working as a paramedic.
I eventually got tired of working in the cold and decided that the next best and warmest place would be in the 9-1-1 centers. I remember my first job as a 911 dispatcher I sat next to someone for a couple of weeks and then with a sprinkle of a little fairy dust, I was a 911 dispatcher. When I expressed concern that there was no structured training program or standard operating procedures, I was assigned the task to create them. One thing lead to another and the next thing I knew I was a trainer, TAC officer, shift supervisor, then supervisor and finally a director. During this time I also had the privilege of building two new 911 centers and two separate dispatch center consolidations.
After 11 years of service in the 9-1-1 center, I was lured to the commercial side of public safety where I started out as a technical trainer for a large radio company. I eventually moved into the sales side of things and worked with great customers across the U.S. I am now using my expertise to assist customers as a consultant.
I love the public safety industry and can never imagine working anywhere else. I have met some great people and have witnessed some incredible changes in technology. It just keeps getting more exciting every year. Technology is allowing 911 dispatchers, law enforcement, fire and EMS personnel to do their job faster and smarter than ever before. This results in safer communities for the citizens that these people are dedicated to protecting and serving.
It is harder to stay on top of the ever changing technology in public safety. My association with APCO has made it easier for me to keep abreast of what is going on within the industry including technology, legislation and important initiatives. I am proud to be involved with several APCO committees and chapters including Chair of the APCO Commercial Advisory Council and (CCAM) Chapter Commercial Advisory Member for the great State of Missouri!