Among public safety personnel, including telecommunicators, fifty percent of marriages end in divorce. The rate is even higher for second marriages and even higher yet if both partners are in public safety.
“Lifeline for First Responders Act” Introduced in the Senate
U.S. Senators Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) and Josh Hawley (R-MO) have introduced the Lifeline for First Responders Act (S.4819), bipartisan legislation to better support the mental health needs of firefighters, EMS personnel, and emergency dispatchers.
APCO International, EMDRIA and NENA Partner on New EMDR Course Targeting Public Safety Communications Professionals
APCO International has partnered with the EMDR International Association (EMDRIA) and NENA to develop a course for EMDR therapists specifically focused on 9-1-1 professionals.
Director in Distress: Destigmatizing Mental Health for Leaders
This session was directed to emergency communication center leadership and should be taken to heart.
A Skyward Shift: Designing for Resilience
During this session, David A. Navarrete delivered a fascinating exploration of the neurobiology of focused attention and the role of environmental cues in modulating perception and mental acuity.
Know Thyself and Others: How to Use Emotional Intelligence
Improving your EQ (emotional intelligence quotient for short) is the surest way to enhance your self-awareness, improve your communication, and be a team member that people want to work with.
The Ground Truth: Perspectives of 9-1-1 Center Leaders
APCO’s Chief Counsel Jeff Cohen led a discussion with a panel of 9-1-1 center leaders on the impact of evolving technology in the emergency communications center (ECC).
The Real First Responders: PTSD, Trauma & Self-Care
In this informative presentation, Sgt. Knowles dived into the reality of stress in our workplace, outlining the difference between stress and trauma.
The Emotionally Effective Communicator
Providing service to the public can be an emotional experience. Citizens are angry, coworkers are annoyed, and supervisors are frustrated. Negative exchanges can impact customer service quality and escalate situations.
How To Protect Scheduled Time Off
It is no secret that the long shifts required of public safety telecommunicators can cause challenges for relationships, activities and self-care outside of work. In a recent survey of California telecommunicators, participants shared that the heart of the issue was that frequently their scheduled time off was not honored, which worsened multiple areas of work-life balance.
APCO Welcomes Introduction of Important Wellness Legislation, the PROTECT 9-1-1 Act
Today, U.S. Representatives Robin Kelly (D-IL), Norma Torres (D-CA), Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA), and Peter Meijer (R-MI) introduced the Providing Resources and Occupational Training for Emotional Crisis and Trauma in 9-1-1 Act, or the ‘‘PROTECT 9-1-1 Act.”
