This session addressed the need for dispatch personnel and firefighters to have an awareness of each other’s roles and responsibilities. Formulating strategies and plans rely on that understanding.

Key elements shared included fire ground tactics and strategies, vehicles and equipment, danger to fire fighters and callers, challenging calls, essentials to keeping them safe, the mantra “Everyone Goes Home” and risk vs. gain.

Becker further shared that training is key. An investment must be made on both sides. He has created a checklist that dispatchers take with them when doing firefighter ride-alongs to get the full effect of that experience. Also crucial is terminology, knowledge of equipment and apparatus, effective scene size-up and “painting a picture “ of the incident. He also touched on rail safety, fire exposure, carbon monoxide and several websites chock full of information.

Becker shared this last thought, “A well trained fire dispatcher is the key to the safety and security of the firefighter.” True words from someone passionate from both sides of the headset.

Covered by Cheryl Konarski