Today I pause and ask the question I always do after such a horrific event like in Chardon Ohio. "What about the Dispatchers?" They live, work, and have family members who attend that school. How are they dealing with the tragedy?
I shall always remember my calls, my endless hours in the chair, and the wonder of what's going on out there. Today's technology must provide some closure in some sense (that I never had during calls) but by the same token, it can cause more alarm and frightful moments in the dispatchers' minds. It's why I wrote the book Family Guide for families of those who answer the call. That kind of vicarious trauma can mess with your head over & over!
The Leaders in our society see the kids, the parents, the teachers, and even the responders on the scene and offer programs or counseling or intervention. This is a very good thing.
The reason I ask what about the dispatchers is that they are often forgotten because they were "not on the scene." THIS IS FALSE! They are on scene every bit in every way such as the dispatchers who answered all of those calls from those in the twin towers.
You see, your brain does not know it is not experiencing the same trauma as if you are onscene. So - - - What about the dispatchers means just that... I want people to think of them, remember them, and help them adjust to what they lived through via each phone call, each text, and each radio transmission. EVERY TIME, EVERY CALL, ask yourself WHAT ABOUT THE DISPATCHERS?
Your thoughts?
Kelly