“
It ’ s not one of those jobs where you come to work everyday and do the same thing . You come in having no idea what you ’ re going to deal with . It ’ s very challenging , and I think people are kind of drawn to that .
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Each day , the dispatch center receives an average of 110 9-1-1 calls and an additional 270 to 300 non-emergency calls . Although the area has grown dramatically in the past 20 years , Tryon notes that the 9-1-1 call capacity has not changed much . The difference is , the calls that they are receiving are more-so true emergencies than before . The community seems to be more aware of what constitutes a true 9-1-1 emergency . It also helps that the dispatch center works with Safety Town to help kids learn from a young age , ensuring that each dispatcher ’ s time is more allocated towards helping those experiencing a true emergency .
“ It is very rewarding , there ’ s calls where you know that you ’ ve made a difference , you ’ ve helped control bleeding or occasionally helped deliver a baby ,” Gilbert said . “ And then there ’ s those calls where you can ’ t do anything that changes the outcome , maybe they ’ ve discovered a loved one deceased or something like that … Obviously you can ’ t help that person , they ’ re beyond help , but you can help the caller , you can let them know that they ’ ve done everything that they can . You can reassure them and you can make them feel better about the situation .”
HUNTSVILLE LIVING | NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 2020 | 23