Rarely Seen, Mostly Heard

Above photo: MPD Public Safety Dispatcher II Carol Carroll

As public safety dispatchers, we wereposed with the question as to why we arepassionate about the job we do.

There are a number of reasons and some differ for each individual. Overall, it’s because we love helping others. And by helping others, we make a difference, whether it’s assisting officers in the field or remaining on the phone with citizens during some of their darkest days.

We are giving back, and are striving to be the light in the darkness. For those needing help, time spent on the phone can seem like an eternity, but we do our best to comfort them even during tragic times. It’s often a thankless job, yet we continue to thrive in the fast paced, tremendously stressful and often overwhelming environment that motivates us intrinsically.

Every day, both day and night, we log into our systems to get ready for the shift —determined to make the community a little better each time. It’s never long before we find ourselves in emergency situations where something incredibly intense and traumatic that requires

us to be decidedly organized, extremely attentive and exceedingly adaptable, as well as being capable of setting our emotions aside in order to focus on the task at hand. We are faced with split-second decisions that have to be made during the worst of the worst situations.

We go into overdrive to assist the officers and citizens alike. Afterward, we are flooded with all kinds of feelings. Sometimes it’s excitement that things worked out perfectly. Other times it’s sadness because things did not end pleasantly. But above all, we are filled with satisfaction knowing that we did everything in our power to make things better.

Oftentimes, we spend more time with our fellow dispatchers than we do with our own family. We work long 12-hour shifts and often pull overtime on our days off. We work on birthdays, family celebrations, holidays and when the citizens of Mobile are buckling down during extreme weather situations such as hurricanes. We kiss our family goodbye, not knowing what is going to happen, in order to fulfill our obligations to our community.

Through doing these things, we build camaraderie. If there are any lingering doubts, we motivate each other to continue doing what we do. We laugh with one another. We cry on each other’s shoulders. We give each other advice, and we support each other. Above all we are family!

We are an integral part of the Mobile Police Department. We are the “first” first responders and are overjoyed that we have now been classified as such. We are finally getting the recognition that has been well-deserved and should have been bestowed upon us years ago.

It’s said that, “between the thin red line and the thin blue line, lies the thinnest line, the gold line, which represents those that are rarely seen but mostly heard...the calm voice in the dark night.” We are the golden glue that holds it all together. And we are here for YOU when you need us most.

MFRD Public Safety Dispatcher Bessie Brown

“911 dispatchers are the first trained point of contact during an emergency. We obtain essential information from callers while remaining calm as well calming others. Each day brings something different so the job can be demanding and stressful at times. But knowing that I’m there in a time of need and able to help those in the community and surrounding areas is my reward.” —Bessie Brown, MFRD Dispatcher