Dispatch in Depth

Chris Carver, Octave’s Director of Market Development, talks about his experience as an emergency dispatcher with the New York Fire Department (FDNY) during the September 11th attacks. He also discusses his role at Octave as well as the book he wrote about his illustrious career in public safety. This is the first installment in a three-part series in honor of the 25th anniversary of 9/11 and the role that dispatchers played on the day itself and the years that followed. For Your Information:Buy a copy of Miracles and Milestones—The Incredible Odyssey of a Fire Dispatcher from Ohio, to 9/11, and Beyond: https://cbcarver.com/order-today/ Check out Chris’s website: https://cbcarver.com/ Learn more about Octave: https://octavepublicsafety.com/

Bill Vedra, Director of the Emergency Communications Center (ECC) for the city of Cincinnati, discusses his agency’s re-implementation of the Police Priority Dispatch System (PPDS). He discusses the circumstances surrounding the process, some obstacles in implementation and how they were overcome, and why the agency then aimed for accreditation status. For Your Information:ECC homepage: https://www.cincinnati-oh.gov/ecc/ECC page on accreditation: https://www.cincinnati-oh.gov/ecc/about-ecc/accreditation/ECC alternative response: https://www.cincinnati-oh.gov/ecc/arc/ECC Facebook: @Cincy911ECC 311 social media on FB, IG, and X: @311Cincy IAED study about Cincinnati 911’s implementation: https://www.aedrjournal.org/improving-911-police-call-taking-in-cincinnati-implementing-a-structured-protocol-based-systema-before-and-after-comparative-study

Jessica Hutchens and Jeri Phillips, training specialists with Guilford Metro 911, talk about the foundational training that all Emergency Dispatchers should receive. They discuss what skills are necessary for an Emergency Dispatcher to have, how those skills can be improved, and ways to make it easy and fun in your comm. center. For Your Information: Use GeoGuessr to help your Emergency Dispatchers learn local geography: https://www.geoguessr.com/ Use Neuro Runners to help them improve their multitasking skills: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.magicoft.NeuroRacer https://apps.apple.com/us/app/neuro-runners/id1435628595

Jody Mader, Master ETC-I Instructor and 2025 Instructor of the Year, shares some insights she’s gained in her 18 years of experience in emergency telecommunications. She discusses how she became interested in adult education, how to customize the ETC curriculum while still meeting the training standards, and how you can start improving your program one change at a time. For Your Information: Check out our series about becoming an Instructor for the Academy: https://www.aedrjournal.org/tag/instructor-academy

Combined Regional Communications Authority (CRCA) 911’s Deputy Director Lindsay Hubbard talks all about their dispatch internship program—how it came to be, how it’s evolved over the past few years, and advice for people looking to start similar programs in their own agencies. For Your InformationLearn more about CRCA 911! Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CRCA911CO Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/crca_911/ Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@crca911 Website: https://www.crca911.colorado.gov