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Union Township celebrated Telecommunications week by hosting an open house for our Communications Specialists (dispatchers) and their families. We felt it was not only important to recognize our dispatchers, but also an opportunity to show their families exactly what they do and how important and demanding their job really is. You may be the very best dispatcher, but without a strong support structure at home, your carrier in communications will be short lived. The attendees were shown a DVD of the events that had occurred within Union Township from the dispatcher’s perspective. The DVD received many positive comments and I would send you a copy by mail if you would like to review it. The attendees were then broken into small groups and given a tour of the dispatcher center explaining the various functions the Communications Specialists performs daily.
The open house consisted of The Union Township Police Chief presenting each Communications Specialist with a certificate of appreciation. The attendees also included the Union Township Fire Chief and his staff, representatives from Amelia Police Department (the other Police Agency that we dispatch for). Each Communication Specialist was presented with a gift bag of items that were donated by local businesses. The event was video taped by our local access TV channel
Company 73 (Rose Tree) was originally dispatched for the report of a vehicle fire. When 73-9 went enroute he was advised by fireboard that the homeowner was reporting the house may be involved. He asked for the building fire upgrade bringing the remainder of 73, 23 (Media), Truck 46 (Rocky Run) and RIT 41 (Newtown Square). Upon arrival he had two vehicles fully involved up against the A/D corner of the house and extending up the side of the house. Quint 73 went on location first and started an interior attack while other crews from 73 started working on the vehicle's that were on fire. Crews also had to be cautious because of a live power line being down. Due to the extreme cold temps in the area of 7 degrees with high winds and the rapid fire advance 73-9 asked for the 2nd alarm bringing several other companies from the area. Crews did an amazing job and were able to stop the fire from spreading through the entire house.
The dispatcher watches the approaching service to London, during the final week of the Virgin Trains franchise.
In addition to dispatcher education, simulators that mimic a dispatch console are great tools for augmenting other public safety scenarios by incorporating use of radio equipment and communications skills.
Sometimes I will just not pay attention to the rest of the world. For some reason, pretending to dispatch a railroad refreshes me. Strange, eh?
Depicted is a simulation of the railroad between Bakersfield and Colton in California. Those of you in my fraternity will recognize some place names. Walong in the station name of the world-famous (and I don't use that term lightly) Tehachapi Loop. All the video/PC gamers I know shake their heads at how I can stand such a boring game.
This is the subway control room at 96th and Broadway. The board on the left has colored lights which show the position of the trains. If you know how to read it, you can tell if it's better to wait for the express, or just get on the local because the express ain't comin.
This is what a higher-tech Dispatch Room would look like. Notice how it is much larger, holds alot more equipment, and has more people working inside then in the Athens Police Department Dispatch room which is pictured later in the presentation
Here are some pics of our yearly awards night. We are a small organization, but do recognize the importance of showing our employees appreciation and recognition for the hard and great work that they do each day.
Awards that we give out our Telecommunicator of the Year, Team Award and Silent Hero Award. We usally have the event catered, have door prizes, small gift for all employees, the Awards and some type of entertainment; this year was a game of local county history with current and past pictures from around the county. All employees and guests participated in the game and it was a lot of fun. Our employees work hard each and every day of the year, knowing in a split second things can go from humdrum to absolutely crazy. We truly appreciate the work that they do.