Author Archive: info

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Understanding the Role of the 911 Dispatcher

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In more than 6,000 public safety answering points (PSAPs) around the nation, an unsung hero plays a key role. They help save lives and property, are masters of multitasking, and serve as a vital link between first responders and the community. This unsung hero is the 911 dispatcher.

Dispatchers’ work environments are often dark, windowless buildings. However, as they intently study at a complicated computer interface and city map, dispatchers must keep calm during stressful situations and possess sound decision-making abilities to route police officers, firefighters, and EMTS to help callers during emergency situations.

Read on to better understand what 911 dispatchers do, the tools they use, and how to improve teamwork among dispatchers and emergency services.

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Causes of Stress for Correctional Officers

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Correctional officers are exposed to a high degree of stress every day. Working long shifts behind walls day in and day out can and does take a toll. Statistics show that correctional officers have higher rates of divorce, PTSD, severe depression and suicide. Much of this can be attributed to stress from traumatic events and/or sustained, cumulative stress.

Critical stress undermines correctional officers’ confidence, resilience and ability to cope. Each aspect of the job, including inmate interactions, workplace environment and resulting home life, can contribute to the build-up of this stress. Without proper support and effort, both officers and the entire organization may experience the consequences of critical stress.

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First Responder Toolkit

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First responders, no matter the role, are some of the truly unsung heroes in our cities and neighborhoods. Whether you’re putting your own lives on the line, providing emergency support or any of the other countless tasks associated with the job, each role is crucial in maintaining a safe place to live and work. However, while being a first responder is a demanding (and rewarding) career, the long hours, the possibility of injuries and the physical and mental traumas that can occur on the job can make it difficult to separate your work life from your personal life.

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MICHIGAN FIRST RESPONDER MENTAL HEALTH PROGRAM

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The Wayne State University Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health Sciences has teamed with the State of Michigan to develop a comprehensive behavioral and mental health training and support program for the state’s first responders and their families to address the stress they face in their duties protecting residents.

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First Responders and PTSD: A Literature Review

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The mental health of first responders is often overlooked. Increases in mental health issues, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and rates of suicide have prompted research into what first responders need in order to stay emotionally healthy. The time has come to put the mental health needs of our first responders before their call of duty. Exposure to traumatic events has been linked to psychological distress and many frontline workers experience these traumas on a daily basis. Literature suggests that the increased incidences of psychological distress requires extensive scientific inquiry into the mental health of first responders worldwide.

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MENTAL HEALTH FIRST AID for FIRE AND EMS

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Mental Health First Aid for Fire and EMS focuses on the unique experiences and needs of firefighters and EMS personnel and is a valuable resource that can make a difference in their lives, their families’ lives and the communities in which they live. Firefighters and EMS workers learn about the importance of early intervention and how, as first responders, they can intervene in the field and provide direct assistance to someone who is experiencing a mental health challenge or crisis.

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Federal Healthcare Resilience Task Force EMS/Prehospital Team

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First responders are facing unique stressors during the COVID-19 pandemic. This document (EMS27) presents resources and strategies in support of first responder behavioral health. This document contains weblinks to non-federal websites and webpages.

Linking to a non-federal website does not constitute an endorsement by the U.S. government, or any of its employees, of the information and/or products presented
on that site.

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999 Foundation

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The National 9-99 Police and Sheriff Foundation raises funds for injured or fallen officers and their families, invests in K9 safety and training, and provides counseling and mental health resources to all officers in need.

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HeartMath Institute

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Each day the challenges of being a first responder can take a serious toll on health, well-being and performance.

That’s why the ability to build and sustain physical, emotional and mental resilience is so critical.

At HeartMath we’re committed to helping individuals from all walks of life build and sustain this capacity.

It’s the reason we created the Resilience Advantage™ – Building Stress Resilience and Optimizing Performance training and mentoring programs, especially for law enforcement and other first responders just like you.

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First Responder and Law Enforcement Resources

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  • Free Face Shields for First Responders
  • Frontline Worker Resources – An Initiative of the Massachusetts AG’s Office
  • Self-Care Resources for Healthcare Professionals and Responders to Covid-19 – SAMSHA
  • Interim Guidance for Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Systems and 911 Public Safety Answering Points (PSAPs) for COVID-19 in the United States
  • Resiliency and Wellbeing Resources for First Responders During COVID-19 Response
  • OTF Co-Chairs Message about Procuring PPE
  • What Law Enforcement Personnel Need to Know about Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
  • Resources for First Responders and Law Enforcement
  • Drug Enforcement Administrations (DEA), Diversion Control Division, DOJ, COVID-19 information page
  • National Institute of Corrections (NIC) Coronavirus Information
  • The National Police Foundation Coronavirus (COVID-19): Resources for Law Enforcement
  • COVID-19 Briefing for Law Enforcement (Vimeo)
  • Presentation on Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) for Law Enforcement
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FirstNet: Providing Mobility and Flexibility for Michigan Law Enforcement

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Technology is critical to the work of today’s police force. Decades ago, we were celebrating the development of centralized databases and the advent of computer-aided dispatch systems. Now, agencies can use drones, thermal imaging, and other Internet of Things (IoT) devices to enhance police operations and make officers more efficient and safer on the job.

Mobile broadband technology is a key component of these advances. 4G LTE – and soon 5G – connections enable officers to access the same resources in the field as they would sitting at a computer in a police station. Gone are the days of having to return to the station to complete reports or upload video footage. And FirstNet – the only nationwide broad-band network dedicated to public safety – provides officers the reliable broadband connection they need to operate on a daily basis or during any incident or emergency.

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Brain scans help shed light

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Celebrities and public figures have recently been more open about mental health conditions they deal with. This is a positive sign of shrinking stigma around mental illness, and it also helps in reducing it. The most recent in this line was Ariana Grande’s mention of post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD … and a brain scan.

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FOP

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The Fraternal Order of Police is the world’s largest organization of sworn law enforcement officers, with more than 364,000 members in more than 2,100 lodges. We are the voice of those who dedicate their lives to protecting and serving our communities. We are committed to improving the working conditions of law enforcement officers and the safety of those we serve through education, legislation, information, community involvement and employee representation.

No one knows the dangers and the difficulties faced by today’s police officers better than another officer, and no one knows police officers better than the FOP.

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POAM

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POAM is a full-service labor organization formed to provide every labor-related service from negotiations, grievance processing, legal and legislative representation to Act 312 arbitrations.

The number one issue that POAM representatives address when speaking with groups interested in switching union affiliation is the quality of our business agents and the service they provide to their local units. Calls are returned promptly. Many questions are answered on the spot, more difficult inquiries are responded to immediately after the issue is investigated.

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COPLINE

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“Cops understand Cops. We’ve been exposed to similar situations in our careers. Whether you’re active duty or retired and feel like no one understands what you’re going through, we want to answer your CALL.”

CopLine has earned the trust of the Law Enforcement community by providing peer listening through a hotline by maintaining complete confidentiality as well as anonymity if the caller chooses. We train competent, confident, committed, and compassionate retired officers to engage with callers on the daily stressors officers and their family members experience.

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Firefighters are first responders

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While the number of fire-related calls to U.S. fire departments has steadily declined in recent decades, the volume of calls to fire departments has continued to grow. As fire departments have become increasingly relied upon to provide emergency response to an ever-growing range of incidents, so have firefighters’ roles and responsibilities.
NFPA continually works to support fire departments by developing standards, trainings, resources and initiatives that help them perform their work as effectively and safely as possible, wherever they’re required to go. Similarly, NFPA has proactively addressed emerging issues in which fire departments have become actively involved.

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The National Volunteer Fire Council

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The National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) is the leading nonprofit membership association representing the interests of the volunteer fire, EMS, and rescue services. The NVFC serves as the voice of the volunteer in the national arena and provides critical resources, programs, education, and advocacy for first responders across the nation.

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Behavioral Health and Wellness in the Fire Service

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There is growing concern about behavioral health issues and the significant impact on wellness. The stresses faced by fire fighters, paramedics and EMTs throughout the course of their careers – incidents involving children, violence, inherent dangers of firefighting and other potentially traumatic events – can have a cumulative impact on mental health and well-being.

The IAFF​ continues to develop resources that educate and support members on behavioral health concerns. Check back often for updated information on behavioral health programs and resources.

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