Never a Dull Moment for 911 Dispatchers
It’s National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week. Dispatchers at the Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office say there’s never a dull moment.
“Things are always happening, and we have a big service area so we can go from chasing loose cattle to a stabbing or you know, nasty assault call,” said dispatcher Aaron Coates.
He has been with Hennepin County for almost 30 years. He says the job requires you to think fast on your feet, multitask, and be able to talk to people in a calm voice even when situations are hectic.
Coates says after a stressful call, he will often leave and take a walk to clear his head. He described one case in Rogers last year that still stands out.
“A tree service guy was in the backyard doing some work and tree work on a lift, and the lift tipped over, into a pond. Two guys got hurt, one guy was pinned underneath the equipment, in this pond,” explained Coates.
“The Rogers Police Chief arrived and had to hold this guys head whose pinned underneath this equipment, had to hold his head above water for a long time until we were able to get rescue people out there.”
Throughout the week the 911 center has shown its appreciation for dispatchers with decorations and games in the dispatch area.
