Blogs

Amid summer vacations, barbecues, and outdoor fun, it’s crucial to take a closer look at PSAP preparedness for the fire season. These sunny days also mean peak season for forest fires.

9-1-1 Public Safety Telecommunicators are the true first responders. When an emergency strikes, they are the first point of contact and the first line of help for those in need. Today, more than ever, they have the training, skills, and sophistication to do this successfully.

Once more, I had the incredible opportunity to be a roving reporter for Carbyne at the NENA Conference 2024 in Orlando. I’m excited to share some of the highlights and insights I got from our friends in the industry.

The vendor-client relationship is crucial in every industry. If this relationship breaks, business will likely follow. This is particularly true in the public safety industry.

In the midst of my busy profession in public safety—a job I love and am deeply passionate about—it’s easy to get absorbed by the day-to-day hustle. However, today, like every June 19th since 2021, I am grateful for the opportunity to pause and celebrate humanity’s most valuable possession: freedom.

The sunny days of summer usually bring a considerable increase in 911 calls. With school out, more people spending time outdoors, and massive events happening around the country, emergency responders see serious upticks in accidents and injuries.

We live in a diverse world and it’s time for ALL individuals to feel they can bring their whole true selves to work. Not only is it the right thing to do, but studies show that when employees feel psychologically safe to show up as their whole, authentic selves, they are more engaged, innovative and productive. Conversely, prejudice prevents people from thriving, worsening our industry’s staffing issues (82% of respondents to the 2024 Pulse of 911, a study we commissioned together with NENA, said they cannot fill open positioning in their centers) by pushing talent away with outdated and discriminatory practices.

In light of Mental Health Awareness Month, it is time to address a major crisis in the country that is simply not talked about enough: the emotional toll emergency response work takes on 911 call responders. Each year, Carbyne and NENA commission Pulse of 911, a national survey to hear about the realities and challenges of emergency communications professionals. This year, we heard from 1,335 professionals from various levels across the country, and the findings were particularly harrowing as they relate to stress, specifically in women.

Job hopping, once stigmatized, has undergone a significant shift in recent years, particularly among millennials and Gen Z. These generations tend to switch jobs more frequently, with millennials typically staying around two years and nine months on average, while Gen Z averages about two years and three months in a role. Surprisingly, a staggering 83% of Gen Z employees see themselves as job hoppers, signaling a fundamental change in how younger workers perceive career trajectories.

In the fast-paced world of emergency response, every second counts. Public Safety Answering Points (PSAPs) serve as the frontline of emergency services, handling distress calls, dispatching responders, and coordinating critical resources. Amidst the chaos, the mental well-being of PSAP operators often takes a backseat. However, with the aid of cutting-edge technology, we can revolutionize the way PSAPs operate, not only improving efficiency but also prioritizing the mental health of those on the frontlines. In this article, I will leverage my years of service as a Communications Officer with Bountiful City and the State of Utah to shed light on how technology can be our best friend to heroes under the headset.