Monthly Archives: April 2009
well, it’s over now…
The National Telecommunicators Week is over by a day now. I think I managed to eek out every bit of sympathy and appreciation I could from the week. Now I’d like to pass the torch off to THIS week’s special interest groups.
- April 20th – April 26th- National Paperboard Packaging Week! At first, i was thinking this would be right up papercrafter’s alleys… but after reading the website, I believe we’re probably the enemy of the Paperboard Packaging Industry, and all it stands for. I do support this movement, however, because that damn plastic security packaging that nearly severs thumbs is completely out of control.
- Weds Apr 22 – Administrative Professionals Day – Go AP’s!!
- Fri Apr 24th – Youth Global Service Day – My niece Rachel fits into this – her sorority is all about service – Go Rachel!!
- Sat Apr 25 – National Malaria Awareness Day – please- take a moment of silence to think about Malaria.
- Sun Apr 26 – Hug an Australian Day – That’s whut I’m talkin’ ’bout….
- Mon Apr 27- Babe Ruth Day – for you vintage major league fans out there
A bit early, but it’s better to be prepared for this one:
- April 28-May 4 – National Scoop the Poop week: It’s your civic doody. A serious problem requires our serious efforts to stamp on er OUT lazy pet owners!
Enjoy your week!!
Police Department Expose’ – Chapter 3
It is officially National Telecommunicators Week!
I’m not sure why we get a week, when other important people, such as Mothers, Fathers, Secretaries, get only a day. But if it means I can use this week to my advantage, I’ll take it! :)
“No, sorry, hon. I can’t empty the dishwasher- it’s National Telecommunicators Week! Fetch me another cool drink. Hurry now!”
You’d think that this week would FINALLY give us some street cred, but NO! It does not. It only takes one little phone call to remind you that you’re just another “secretary”. I mean no disrespect to secretaries – it is just the attitude we get that the person answering the phone isn’t anyone to deal with. Secretaries, you understand this because you’re essentially a civilian dispatcher and get a version of this call too.
“Random Police Department”
“Hi, um. Yes, I need some advice. Are you a police officer?”
“No, I’m a dispatcher, how can I help you?”
“Well, I need some advice – is there a Police Officer available for me to talk to?”
“No, you actually need to start with me”
“Oh, well maybe you can help…”
This happens daily. It really sets the tone for the conversation! ”Oh, well I guess you’ll have to do...”
Only TV has “desk sergeants”. I know of no California agency that has the funds to employ a full time, full pay police sergeant to sit at a desk and answer phones. That guy serves the public by being on the street. The phones are my job! Seriously. Ask any officer if they could do our job and they run out of the room, screaming. If an officer gets hurt on the job, and is “forced” (they NEVER volunteer!) to work in dispatch to “help out”, it’s pure agony for them. It’s fun to watch actually- but they get healed real quick when assigned to dispatch. Admin probably does that on purpose.
Dispatchers are a walking, breathing encyclopedia of all things “Public Resources & Laws”. Some of it is useful. Some of it is completely useless. I can rattle off the phone numbers to our local Walmart, Safeway, Target, Mary’s Pizza, Round Table… shall I continue? I don’t want those numbers in my head- we have quick dial. “Get Out, Stupid numbers!” I can tell you who to call if you see an injured bird. I can help you when your child has a seizure. I can tell you what my coworkers’ Starbucks drink are. I can tell you the law as it pertains to your RV parking on the street, your daughter being harassed at school or if you are arrested for DUI. I know who has warrants. I know who violated probation. I can calm you down and help you get people out of your house if you have a fire. I can tell you where to turn the water off when you have a water leak. I have ALL the numbers to any resource you may need.
But to get all this, you have to talk to ME! The “little lady” answering the phone. Cops don’t know the half of this stuff. I don’t know the half of their stuff. We complement each other. But we don’t compliment each other enough. So that’s what this week is all about. A way to spend time with other dispatchers who also know all kinds of random, weird stuff that most people don’t know and to forget about the calls asking for the Police Officer, when it’s me they really need.
Happy Telecommunicators Week!
May i direct you….
OMIWERD… I just found an adorable blog called Bakerella. Have you heard of this? Here- go here- she takes wonderful photographs of her amazingly adorable baked goods and also has quite the sense of humor.
Three of my favorite things- fun photography, baked goods and silliness!
