Dispatcher Food, Fitness, Faith & Friends

In the last two years, I’ve interviewed dozens of 911 Dispatchers from around the country. Different towns. Different names. Different ages. Different careers. Even with so many differences, their stories held so many of the same elements. Themes, such as weight gain, illness, stress, broken relationships, excessive alcohol use and many other negatives littered the landscape of their tales. Having sat under the head set and also having spent so many years researching the effects of public safety telecommunications work, it’s easy to pin-point the reasons behind all of these things. If I sat down with a new operator and made a “Choose your own Adventure” chart with them, by plugging in a few specific forks in the road, resilience factors and personal choices it would be easy to estimate where they would be 25 years down the line. The positive thing about this is time and time again it’s been proven that a few key elements can keep you happy and healthy even in this demanding, draining and damaging job. Here are four that I have seen make a difference.

Food

As 911 Dispatchers it’s no secret - we eat like crap. We work long hours and often the last thing we want to do when we get home is go shopping and then do “good  food” meal preparation for the next week. I know many of us dream about doing this. In our mind’s eye and on Pinterest, we see all of those perfect little Tupperware containers full of fruits, veggies, lean meats and low fat sauces. Most of us have the layered salad container with the screw-on lid for dressing. You know the one that’s a glorified mason jar. Many of us even have the super long fork that comes with it so that we can reach that last delectable piece of lettuce at the bottom. Then there’s the little matter of not having regular meal times, so even if we do have something amazing and healthy to eat, we might not get to eat it and end up snacking on those convenient donut holes just sitting there. Then there’s the issue of the celebrations. We do love to celebrate with food. We love our potlucks and birthdays and baby showers and Taco Tuesdays. But food is an important factor in not only keeping our energy up so that we can keep working those mandatory overtime hours, but also in keeping us well. If we do not fuel our bodies with appropriate eats on a regular schedule, we feel sluggish, foggy-headed and suffer from the weight gain so many of us lament.

Fitness

On the same importance level as food, fitness is key to our wellbeing. I reiterate again and again, this does not mean that you have to take up Olympic bodybuilding or start training for your first marathon (you can, but you don’t have to). All you need to do is start moving your body. Find something you like to do: walking, hiking, riding a bike, yoga, karate, aerial silks, whatever. If you need to, start out small. Walk for 5 minutes. Then make it 10. Do it every day. Pretty soon, you’ll be looking forward to your moving. Fitness makes you feel good. It dissolves all the nasty chemical build-up that our work creates in our bodies. You can also incorporate movement into your work day with chair yoga or just simple stretching. When you get a break go walk up and down some stairs or pace the hallway. Get your blood flowing and see how much better and alert you feel.

Faith

When I mention this one many people automatically jump to religious faith and for many that is exactly what it is. Those I’ve interviewed who have a close relationship with a Higher Power seem to be more resilient and weather the stress of this work easier than those who don’t. I will admit that over the years even the strongest faith can include conversations that question what kind of being would allow the world to be this evil. But we have to remember that there is a lot of beauty in the world too and that it is only by virtue of our work that we are exposed to the maddest, baddest and saddest day in and day out. People who continue to have faith in the inherent goodness, kindness and compassion of others seem to stay more stable and burn out less than those who have lost faith in everything and everybody. Make a gratitude list. Look up positive news stories. Watch children play. Look around the radio/911 room and see all the people who have dedicated their lives to making a difference. There is still so much good out there to hold on to.

Family/Friends

This final category is so very important. As much as it would be awesome if every 911 dispatcher ate well, exercised and kept the faith, if they can only do one thing let it be hold on to those they love. Spend time building and nurturing relationships. These connections with other human beings keep us grounded. They keep us from twirling out of control into an abyss of pissed off callers, tragic police interactions and puzzling internal politics. Hold and be held. Love and be loved. Laugh at and with your friends and let them do the same to you. Those of us who have worked in this business get each other like no one else. Embrace these friendships. They are priceless and they will keep us healthy and alive.