Questions Posted to "Ask a Dispatcher"
Q. Trauma is tramua and PTSD is PTSD. Calling it secondary or vicarious tramua is short-changing the dispatchers in our emergency medical services. The impact they suffer from what they experience is, in some ways, worse than what an officer goes through. The officer is out there and directly involved, with some degree of control over the outcome. The dispatcher experiences it internally and the sounds, the silences, the envisioning of what is going can no doubt be horrific and have a lasting impact. Through my career in law enforcement, I had nothing but the greatest admiration for those in the dispatch centers. My respect goes to them all.
Dear Juneau Resident,
Dispatchers do experience a great deal of trauma, as do officers, as does any person witnessing a violent act. Certainly those in military service experience the most frequent and personal exposure. Everyone who goes through these events deserves and should get a great deal of support and their experience treated with respect. Your support for dispatchers is greatly appreciated.
