911 Dispatcher Trauma & Burnout | PTSD & Stress for First Responders
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- Опубликовано: 1 июн 2024
- Craig Tinneny is a #911 #dispatcher - the first step in any first responder efforts. And those compounded experiences - call after call, day after day - build up. Emergency dispatchers can suffer from vicarious #trauma, #stress, and #PTSD.
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“When our phone rings, people aren’t calling to say, ‘Hi, how was your day?’ or ‘Happy Birthday.’ When the phone rings, there’s a problem.” According to Craig, “You see humanity on its worst day.”
The calls changed the way he saw himself and the way he saw his job. “I didn’t feel right-I felt hollow, a dark side of myself. Things I had enjoyed doing before weren’t cutting it, and work became a hassle. Every time the phone rang, instead of feeling challenged and wanting to help, I was grinding my teeth and resenting it.”
“We’re in the dark ages of mental health for #firstresponders.”
Craig is now a self-described “crusader” to usher in better mental health for first responders. “It’s become a main mission of mine.” He volunteers to spend time with other first responders who may be in crisis, sharing his journey of darkness and light, in hopes of helping them find a path to better mental health.
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To all emergency dispatchers, you are incredible!
Thank you Peter for sharing your support!
Peter Jirasek also my lifeline. I can’t say enough how important the job they do ! Vital to all of us !🇺🇸
amen 🤷♂️🧐🕊
Been in Emergency services for 21 years, 10 of them as a dispatcher. Burnout is real. This man was able to get the help he needed in darkest of times and I applaud him for that. The fear of being judged is strong.
I happen to work for one of the busiest 911 comm centers in the country, and there is no time to think about what just happened. There's no you did you 12 hours and go home. Most of the time there's forces, mandatory OT, working every holiday and before you know it, 10 years goes by so fast, you have no clue where it went.
I climbed out of a dark hole myself and if there's 1 thing I can take from that to give to others, Don't be afraid to seek help if you need it. Your mind and your health is worth more than any job out there.
7 years dispatching, it’s my calling. This man is 100% right…. For me it’s the sound a mother makes when she finds her dead baby. I’ve taken that call so many times. It never leaves you. It’s almost animalistic, the scream for help. It’s completely heartbreaking.
We are grateful for your service, Emily.
A marine veteran AND a police officer... That's quite the hero right there.
Respect. ♥️
I lasted 17 years ,working for 4 different agencies. I was trying to find a good place to work and discovered that they are all the same. I've often wondered how many people make it to retirement as a working dispatcher. I bet the number is low. Over the years, I saw a lot of people come and go. I'm glad to see that it looks like dispatchers's stress levels are being taken seriously.
That's the hope, Greg. Thanks for sharing your experience, too.
My mother retired as a dispatcher after 28 years. I chose to be a Police Officer and will be on year 20 this August. Out of my BLET class of 18 only 5 of us are still in Law Enforcement. I myself am wondering if I will make it 10 more years to retire with 30 years. I was fine with all death scenes and thought I was never going to be affected. Four years ago I saw a murdered 7 year old and murder scene and have been struggling every since. Last two year have been bad. I can not even stand to be on a normal death investigation anymore. I enjoy nothing. I hate leaving the house. At least my wife has found these videos and now knows I can not help how I feel. Im still loving but I am unable to go off in public around lots of folks without great stress. She finally understands this and is willing to go hiking in the mountains with me which seems to help. Also being a Christian give me hope as Jesus can come anytime.
@Justa Commenter My advice to you since you have 20 years is to retire and find some other work to do. I know a lot of people who are retired from law enforcement and regular careers. None have ever said they wished they had stayed longer. They all say get out as soon as you can afford it. Life is too short to be angry,, sad and miserable. Good luck.
@@gregh7400 NC has a 30 year retirement. Considering options for certain.
Next month is my 17 year mark. First 11 at a neighboring county who dispatched 2 full counties of each discipline. The last 6 or 7 years there as shift supervisor. I'm now at the county I reside in for now going on 6 years. 3 1/2 ish as shift supervisor and we just took over a third full county for all 3 disciplines 😮💨
WOW! I thought being a Nurse was stressful but Dispatchers never have closure! Thank you for all you do for us!!! XOXO
Thanks for your work in the world, Karen, and for sharing your appreciation!
I survived for 8.5 years before I had to get out. The job was killing me both physically and emotionally and I almost lost my marriage. I am so much happier now.
James, thank you for serving your community while you were able to. All the best to you.
Thank you for your service. That’s what I just posted earlier the burnout rate for these emergency responders and 911 operators is insane. The thing is though it’s all kept quiet. You can only carry so much drama and insanity coming from other people, and you must remain calm. The human soul was not designed for that
My mother retired as a dispatcher after 28 years. I chose to be a Police Officer and will be on year 20 this August. Out of my BLET class of 18 only 5 of us are still in Law Enforcement. I myself am wondering if I will make it 10 more years to retire with 30 years. I was fine with all death scenes and thought I was never going to be affected. Four years ago I saw a murdered 7 year old and murder scene and have been struggling every since. Last two year have been bad. I can not even stand to be on a normal death investigation anymore. I enjoy nothing. I hate leaving the house. At least my wife has found these videos and now knows I can not help how I feel. Im still loving but I am unable to go off in public around lots of folks without great stress. She finally understands this and is willing to go hiking in the mountains with me which seems to help. Also being a Christian give me hope as Jesus can come anytime. I do agree with you as I felt that the job can eat away at your soul as I described it to my wife. I still want out but limited options.
Sometimes it's not just the calls, it's other job related issues. I frequently get headaches when I'm on my way into work. I pretty much teared up at the beginning of this video.
We hope that there are resources to help you. Do take care of yourself.
I get headaches after work!!! 22+ years ive been a police dispatcher/911 operator
@@ladychp - that's an amazing amount of time to be doin this work, than you for your service and hope you get some relief for the headaches.
The urgent calls do add up over time. I'm glad he was able to ask and receive non judgemental help. I was fortunate that my father was a WWII veteran and I was able to discuss some issues with him.
WOW!!!! This gentlemans words are 100% spot on. I am in my 17th year of being a 911 operator and I definitely struggle with burnout. My coworkers are awesome because we can all talk to each other about it. We all understand it. Thank you for making this video.
So glad to hear that you have good community with your coworkers to talk about all of this, that changes everything. Really glad to know that Craig's story spoke to you, Michelle, thanks so much for letting us know.
This has happened to me so many times, with all of my healthcare jobs. I always thought it was something wrong with me-that I was weak, or lazy, and just didn’t want to be at work. But counselling people actively in crisis, without having the space to deal with my own crises I was having broke me into a thousand pieces. Again, and again. Today, I am aware. Today, I am taking the time to heal myself first, before walking back into the fire where I hold space for others who can’t hold it for themselves. And that’s okay. But it took me years to figure that out.
Thank you, Dennis, for such a thoughtful and vulnerable comment on a difficult topic. We appreciate you and are all glad to hear that you've been on a steady path of recovery.
Wow! This guy is so on point! It’s like his words are coming out of my mouth. I start my 27th as a Police/911 Dispatcher in March of 2020 and I can absolutely relate to what he is saying. Now I know that I am not alone. Again, wow! Thank you so much for posting this.
Thank you for watching and THANK YOU for all you do in your job. You are definitely not alone. Do take good care of yourself.
You are Living Proof, that what you do is the right thing. I`m thankful to read your comment I hope millions Do.
Two more days and I’m done. (10/22/21) I have decided to call it a career. Fortunately for me, I have over eight months of sick time accumulated which will take me to 6/1/22, when I’ll be officially retired. I’ll only be 50 years old, but I started my career five weeks after my 22nd birthday. I can’t wait to start the next chapter in my life and i pray that most of the mental trauma I have endured over the years slowly dissipated in time….
I'm glad he could go back to his supervisors and ask for help, not all agencies are like that. Mental health awareness is becoming more prominent but the stigma is still just as strong. We preach getting help but shame someone for doing it, even ourselves.
So true, and that's what we're hoping to address in this video series. Thanks for your words.
I have been working as an emergency responder for over 22 years now and I still remember the first call I got from a young boy who was reporting that his 12 year old sister had just died. I remember him saying to me "don't bother to call the ambulance they can't do anything for her". 😔😔 22 years later I still remember that. I don't think anybody who is not in the system really understands the toll that it plays on you mentally, they could emphasize, but they don't understand what we go through on a daily basis.
Oh what a memory to carry with you. Thank you for your service and your dedication to your community. Take care of you, as much as you can.
Oh man 😔😔
You get told it is not your emergency. But they are wrong. It all stays with you for life.
Thank you for watching, Pam. We hope that you are taking good care of yourself.
This just hit me in my soul.
Craig's story is powerful. Thank you for watching it.
@@OC87RD Where did he go to get out of the funk?
This entire OC87 Recovery series is an amazing description for those of us the Emergency Services who cannot find the correct words to define what hurts us daily. I spent 25 years in a busy EMS Agency, and now my entire focus and passion is to listen, talk, present and educate about complex trauma, PTSD/PTSI, Acute Traumatic Stress for all repsonders, from the 911 call takers all the way down the chain to the repsonders on scene, to the ED staff. We don't 'get' PTSD/PTSI, it gets us when we least expect that mental tug each day while doing the work we love and respect. No one, ABSOLUTELY not one Responder has to fight this alone nor travel down the path alone. Asking for help is one of the strongest signs of resiliency, strength and mental health wellness.
Dan, thank you so much for sharing your experience. We're incredibly glad to hear that this series is resonating with you.
Thank you for posting. Retired from Fire/PD Dispatch which included all 911 calls and when that 911 line rings, you know they need help and you are their lifeline to help. Bless the first responders that have to go and help and sometimes with no thanks at all.
Thank you for watching and thank you for all you accomplished in your career.
After over 30+ years of dispatching, the burnout not only pushed me out of my profession, but almost cost me my sanity. It has been several years since I left and now I work with home care to help give back. I know the administration wanted to help, but I felt very much alone when I left. We need something on the National level like they try to do for veterans. I just felt it wasn’t there over those 3 decades.
Robin, so very sorry to hear that you felt alone in your transition and hope that you're able to find support in this next chapter. Yes, we need more solutions to support dispatchers.
God I love my job... The stress, the relief, the ability to help people
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Semper fi. Thank you Marine ! My son is a Usmc aviator 🇺🇸
thank you to you and your son!
OC87 Recovery Diaries I appreciate this as those who know what it means to dig deep & serve those who are in need ! I will pass it on 🇺🇸 God bless
As an officer it's extremely overwhelming, and a burnout. I totally understand this video. The job because overwhelming with those who are in leadership.
Thank you for taking a moment to let us know that Craig's story resonated with you, and hoping that you are getting the support that you need through the overwhelm.
Amen. Brother I did dispatch but I’m a doer. So it sucked. Plz. To any one reach out to me to any one of us. We need to save each other ! No more suicides !!!
What an important job being the dispatcher. Thank you for building a community and being supportive like this. Hope that you are well.
Yes, My God. You are Living Proof, that what you do works. I`m waiting for The Nami.org groups to open up after Covid 19. To take my hurts and help be there for others is Healing for me Now.I hope to meet you out there one day.
@@scottfranson4215 just remember there’s plenty of us who suffer w/our saying it , just found out a friend of mine went and sought help ... he could’ve called me but prob like me said nah I’m good ! No more loss Of lives or family. ✌️🚒🚑
I alaways cry watching this video....this video helps me to not feel alone. Thank You 🙏❤
Been a 911 dispatcher for 8 months and I thought I hit my breaking point but remembering that I did my job and the officers and firefighters did theirs. But still til this day I feel like its not enough.
Christina - thank you for your work and we hope that you do get the support you need as these major challenges of the job come up. Really glad you found your way to this video and hope it's given you some hope for community and recovery.
Updated- I have now been a dispatcher for almost 3 years and I’m learning more and more about PTSD. I had to learn the hard way to figure out that I have PTSD and the journey this guy took is exactly what I had to do. I’m with you. Everyday is hard to find patience in myself but remembering everyday is a new day, a new challenge and I can keep feeling bad or I can try and feel better. I still love my job and love those heart warming calls and I still wouldn’t trade it for the world.
Thanks for making all of us aware that this exists !
Thank you for watching, John.
I’m glad your workplace was supportive and understanding. I believe it is key to a healthy recovery. My workplace had no idea how to handle my trauma and decided to force me out of work. I’m still struggling with ptsd anxiety and depression I will not give up on myself but my employer surely has.
Our hope is that it can be one of the keys to recovery. Important to hear that you are not giving up on yourself, you and your recovery matter.
This takes me back to my Job as an emergency communicator for the Police the amount of things we hear putting the jobs in getting help to where they need . The amount of pain .
I love my job no matter how stressful it is having someones life on the line trying to do all you can 🖤
Appreciate that this video resonated with you, Bell, especially as someone who can really relate 💙
You are MY Hero and inspiration to continue what I LOVE to do.
Thank you for your service to those in need- GGCC A13006
Thank you for the wonderful support, Anna.
Thank you 911 dispatchers for all You do!
Appreciation!
This is an excellent series! Thank you!
So glad it's resonating with you, Lisa!
He's not wrong. A lot of calls are fairly minimal, non-injury traffic crashes, noise complaints etc. A lot of emergency services call takers & dispatchers forget that what is minimal to them because they experience it every day is someone worst day. Numerous DV related calls for service, where its the same people week in week out.
But then you get those calls, the ones you still think about months or years later. The ones that still make your eyes sting when you think about them.
Thank you
💙
Is there any way to get this video clip in a non-RUclips format? I would like my employees to see it as part of training.
yes, we are actually working on offering this and all other films in the Beneath the Vest series in a format that would be suitable for training. Best to subscribe to our list to be notified when they are ready (oc87recoverydiaries.org/) or email us a request at info@oc87recoverydiaries.org. Thank you
Thank you for speaking out! I work in wildland fire and it's very much the same.
Thank you, Kim, for your dedication and hard work. And do take good care of yourself.
I want to say. You count & you matter. 33 yrs ff medic. Don’t let Go !!!!!
Thank you for these words, so many need to know that they have support.
We take you for granted
Thank you so much for all the service you do for those people that are in dire need life or death. But everybody must remember the burnout rate for that kind of job is incredibly high. So then they try to get other peoples in to be the 911 dispatcher who burns out again in about a year so the turnover is huge. What we need to do is get licensed and trained people . The whole system needs to be overhauled. I know it depends on the state some are worse than others. Funny experiment would be take 20 of your outstanding citizens in each county and make them do the job for one year
Appreciate your compassion for this incredibly challenging job, Julie. Yes, the system absolutely needs an overhaul.
I hope you're right about the light.
Thank you for stopping by and watching.
First, thank you for 12 years serving your community. And thank you for watching and leaving your comment. We hope that you are doing well.
Very accurate about how the job effects you. Too bad in the majority of the real world help isn't there. You let anyone know something is wrong or bothering you best case scenario you're branded as a whiner and told to suck it up and keep going. Worse case you get considered a "potential problem" and let go for a made up excuse. Then you run the risk of getting tossed on a red flag list and putting your rights at risk.
Yes, there is so very much stigma, Derek, and our hope is that this video series can help shift the conversation and resources that people have access to. Glad to hear Craig's video felt accurate to you, that's important for us to hear.
I honestly don’t know what would be worse; being among the first responders who actually shows up on the scene of whatever the incident is and sees the results, or being on the other end of the phone as it actually unfolds and knowing there’s nothing you can do but try to talk the callers through it.
Confession. I wanted to be a dispatcher when I was a teenager, and I was inspired at that time to do so from watching my all-time favorite show when I was growing up, “Rescue 911.“ Go on, roll your eyes or scoff for me wanting to do that when I was younger because of a TV show, all be it one that profiled true stories.
Now that I’m older, though, I can honestly say that I don’t think I could have done it. I can’t just block things out which, and I know I’m saying this as an outside observer, seems to be the attitude in these fields of work; thankfully, that seems to be changing little by little.
Thank you to all first responders; dispatchers, police officers, firefighters, paramedics etc. for all that you do. Such a shame that these are such thankless jobs.
You sound like a very carrying individual. Thank you for watching the film, it means a lot.
Looking to download load for training day. How long is the full video. It doesn't say on the website?
Thanks for your interest! We will add the full run time to the page, in the meantime there's contact info at the bottom of the page: oc87recoverydiaries.org/btv/
Communication dispatchers are THE first of first responders. They dont get enough credit for the job they do.
We agree with you 100%
My state passed a new law that gives first responders, 911 Dispatchers too workers compensation for PTSD. Basically, it's assumed now if you've done the job for 5 years or so and you reach this point of PTSD, anxiety disorders that it's the job that caused it. I'm a 26.5 year veteran with the same employer, I love my job, it's my identity, but it hasn't loved me back for a couple years now.
Amazing to hear about this legislation. What state are you in?
And add on extreme staffing shortages… I’m still waiting to get into a program for the PTSD. Feeling like a sitting duck.
Just seeing this comment now, and truly hoping that you've been able to receive the support you've been seeking, Corinne.
On top of that people are cursing at you and yelling at you on the phone when you’re trying to help them. It’s horrible.
We hope that sharing Craig's story helps other dispatchers to share their stories, and for people who are not first responders to better understand what folks might be going through while trying to help.
I dunno if its true but I heard that 911 dispatchers are now categorized as first responders.. regardless, to all 1st responders and dispatchers, thank you for what you do
Yes, 911 dispatchers are first responders and we too thank them for their service.
I am a 911 dispatcher and teach the APCO EMD class for our agency. Can I use this video in my class?
Hello, Donald, the film would be a perfect addition to your class. Please see our guidelines here: oc87recoverydiaries.org/btv/ thank you
35 years work for the highway patrol. We just get accidents and a lot of road rage calls. Boy people are jerks driving. You place the nicest person in e world behind the wheel of a car he or she becomes a demon from the gates of hell.
I sometimes drive to work thinking why am I still here? When can I retire. I cannot afford to retire yet. I get annoyed when the phone rings and there is some motorist reporting someone cut him off. So what? People cut me off while I’m driving every day and I don’t care! Just go on with your life.
Ive had people calling that they want to commit suicide by purposely slamming their car against a gasoline truck and you have to try to find out where they are at and try to talk them out of suicide.
It’s a lot of responsibility for the little pay we get and of course we are not even mentioned as heroes by the media because we are considered clerks and secretaries.
Thank you for sharing some of your experience, A P, and know that we genuinely see you as a hero for the work you do. You are appreciated by our community.
Hi there, thank you for your message. 2 years ago I suffered a mental breakdown/burnout and was hospitalized for near suicide. It was from being over worked and heart broken. I am 29 now. Can I fully recover? I am seeing a phsycologist and phsyciatrist, just terrified about going back into work. Thank you
Thank you for sharing some of your story with us, John. Hoping you get all of the support you need on your recovery journey. Glad to know that Craig's story spoke to you.
yes, recovery is possible. I have trauma and attempted suicide multiple times, and I can tell you it gets better, it's never easy, but it does get better. I believe in you, you are strong, you survived.
Is there any way to prevent this from happening or does it just come with the job ? I'm currently trying to become a 911 dispatcher. Just waiting on the test results to come through
Self-care. You absolutely need to monitor yourself and be aware of when you are not doing well, and speak openly with colleagues and supervisors before things get bad. The more mental health is spoken about the better.
Monica, I'm 15 years in. It can be a wonderful career... and an extremely difficult and challenging one. He's spot on, but having the knowledge and resources to stay on top of and be aware of how the job WILL ultimately change you is the best weapon to combat things like burnout and PTSD. Advocate for yourself and others, and take advantage of peer support whenever you can... I've been in his shoes too, and as he said it's not the end... I'm infinitely proud of the profession I've chosen and the warriors that have chosen to do it. It's a great job even with its challenges.
Asking for this kind of guidance is a great support, it's good to se you reaching out.
Another one of God’s angels❤
He must not have heard the josh powell call.
What a tragic event that was, words cannot express.
How do I get ahold of this man in the video?
He is on LinkedIn 😁
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PTSD is more common in the USA than in Asian, African, or Latin American countries. It is more common among war veterans, police, fire fighters, or emergency personnel. The highest rates are found in survivors of rape and military combat/captivity. Course of PTSD varies some people recover within months while others have symptoms for years to decades.
Thank you for your comment and observation.
@@OC87RD hang in there
7 years in management doesn’t have experience and can never help. Trust me in a big center no one helps they let you drown. I’ve been burnt out for 2 and a half years and my coworkers just screw with me. No one ever will support you trust me
Michael, so sorry to hear that you are not getting the help that you need right now. It is our hope that with more people sharing their stories more help becomes available.
I would let the criminals in the prison see this vid, and maybe.. let some of them do the job. They can be hard, but hearing these horror stories every thime, I think they could be better as a human and understand the loss, the tookaway for some stupidity what another fellow did.. If the person can save 100-1000 human lifes is free to go (depends from the case).
Quit
What a brilliant suggestion! Rather like the folks who tell people who identify legitimate problems with the United States to "love it or leave it."