Learning a new job can be challenging but when the stress of that job includes real emergencies, it adds an entirely new element to the feat. We spoke with five guests from Public Safety Answering Points (PSAPs) to hear their best training stories and how they overcame hurdles both as trainees and trainers.

Below is this episode’s guest lineup:

Nicole Revels is an Emergency Response Technician and is training to be a Public Safety Dispatcher with Colorado Springs Police and Fire Communication Center. She shared one of her first intense calls and how she has grown since then.  She also gave some pointers on how she has continued to improve and set new goals.

Alicia Seymour is an Emergency Response Technician with the Colorado Springs Police and Fire Communication Center. She is also an experienced trainer. She shared some fantastic training stories and how she has been able to make training and learning fun with new telecommunicators.

Mike O’Malley is an Emergency Response Technician with Colorado Springs Police and Fire Communication Center and has worked for multiple agencies.  He discussed some of his training experiences and ways he continues to strive for excellence in the profession.

Sona Babani is an Emergency Services Dispatcher with Thornton Dispatch. She began dispatching after getting out of the military over eleven years ago. Not only did she share some humbling moments when she was in training, but she also provided some ways she has improved how she teaches new call takers and dispatchers. Her approach to learning the psychology behind training has made a major difference in training effectiveness.

Tim McMillin is a 9-1-1 Emergency Dispatcher with Teller County Sheriff’s Office and has worked several jobs in communications from broadcast communications to telecommunications. He gave tips on how to overcome training obstacles and other challenges in this career.

“If we can understand the humans that we are training, then giving them that information becomes easier.” – Sona Babani