If you've ever been to a state conference you know that there is a LOT to learn and so much more available to begin to learn!
The first state conference I attended in Michigan wasn't until after many years of doing the job. What a sad statement that is. After experiencing NENA conferences, and APCO conferences, I found a plethora of new ideas and neat friends who understood what the job was about.
Now that I've been the keynote speaker for various conferences, I feel the energy, I love the progress we've been making as a profession! I can tell the difference. As a group of emergency communications professionals, we are hungry to be recognized, and are taking aim at how to make a difference for those in this career!
At TENA recently, I was grateful when I asked the question if everyone has a "debriefing team" available for them and every hand went up. That didn't happen 5 or 10 years ago.
At a state conference and even the regional and nationals, you learn more about your job, your colleagues, and the future of your profession! Please don't wait for the boss to send you, just take the time, pay your way and invest in building your own knowledge! This is the topic for my upcoming speech for Nebraska NENA/APCO conference! Knowledge equals power, and those who answer the call for help are some of the most powerful people on earth!
See you at a conference soon,
Kelly R. Rasmussen