Category: Wellbeing

Still Taking the Call: Why a Former Dispatcher Believes in Watson

When Amanda Hamilton joined the Watson team, she brought something that can’t be taught: firsthand experience. As a former dispatcher, she knows exactly what’s needed from the furniture that supports 911 professionals-because she’s been the one relying on it.

Gratitude Languages: What They Are and How They Make an Impact

Last month, we explored the science of gratitude: how meaningful recognition helps reduce stress, strengthen resilience, and support mental health, especially for behind-the-scenes professionals like telecommunicators. The research was clear; gratitude isn’t fluff, it’s fuel. It can boost morale, build trust, and create a healthier workplace culture.

Gratitude: A 911 Telecommunicator's Mental Health Superpower

Cultivating gratitude isn’t just a nice idea; it’s a superpower, especially for those working in high-stress environments like emergency telecommunicators. These frontline professionals face immense pressure daily, which can take a toll on their mental and physical well-being. Research suggests that practicing gratitude can be a powerful tool in combating these challenges, offering a host […]

3 Ways to Make Dispatch Desks More Comfortable

PSAP and 911 dispatchers spend long shifts tied to their workstations, often going many hours without a break to stretch. Long hours in the same position make ergonomics a critical pain point for any dispatch center. In the high-stress dispatch environment, tools must be in the right place, monitors adjusted to fit line of sight, and ample surface space free of obstructions or clutter.

The comfort and efficiency of a dispatch desk setup can directly impact performance, often with life-and-death results.

Here are a few ideas for how to make a dispatch console more comfortable.

Evolution of the Healthful PSAP (Bonus: Ergonomics Whitepaper)

Reducing workplace discomfort and injury is critical for PSAPs challenged with down-time and churn. While somewhat surprising, it is true that the industry lacks a centralized ergonomic standard to address the needs and challenges specific to 911 dispatching environments. Read on to learn how PSAP equipment providers can deliver meaningful solutions.

Dispatcher Yoga: 5 Standing Poses To Reduce Stress

The need to be mindful of your mental and physical health continues to be of utmost importance, particularly for the front-line first ‘first’ responders who are serving their communities. Watson Consoles is here to help with some standing yoga positions that help alleviate stress and promote mental health.

Dispatch Yoga: 7 Poses To Decrease Stress and Increase Mental Health

Now more than ever, it is important to care for your health. And we aren’t just talking about social distancing and hand washing, either. For 911 dispatchers, both mental and physical well-being are pushed to the limits by long hours at a console desk. Here, these first ‘first’ responders guide people through some of the biggest challenges they may face in their lives, and are under constant stress. But how do essential personnel like dispatchers practice mental and physical self-care to reduce stress when they need to be at a desk for 12 hours a day?

The 411 on Console Desk Cleaning

With the outbreak of the COVID-19 virus, we’ve all been paying a lot more attention to handwashing. Hopefully by now everyone is familiar with how often and for how long (two renditions of “Happy Birthday” or one of “I Will Survive”) we need to be washing our hands.

Your Voice: How 911 Dispatchers Can Protect Their Most Precious Tool

With over 240 million calls being made to 911 each year within the United States alone, 911 dispatchers serve as the bridge between callers and help needed. Dispatchers in this position rely on their voices to connect and convey needed information to callers, and are often talking on the phone for close to 40 hours per week.

Green Manufacturing, the Pacific Northwest Way

At Watson, environmental friendliness isn’t just a fad. It is a standard we have been committed to from the start. As a Pacific NW company, Watson Consoles are built to satisfy the need for comfort and convenience within dispatch centers, while remaining committed to doing our part in protecting the environment.

Three Easy Ways to Nail Ergonomics in the PSAP

With work-related musculoskeletal disorders (MSD) becoming commonplace, the importance of ergonomics is undeniable. Due to long, high-intensity shifts, dispatchers are at higher risk of developing work-related musculoskeletal disorders, which can contribute to as much as one-third of absences and turnover.

Sustainability: Beyond Dispatch Desk Materials

We are passionate about designing and manufacturing sustainable dispatch workstations that endure 24/7 shift work for a decade or more. Our love for the environment is certainly inspired by the beautiful place we live. Our commitment is evident in how we work and the products we choose to share with you.

Tough Enough to be a 911 Dispatcher

Daniel Sundahl’s evocative image, above, communicates the emotional stress Dispatcher’s encounter on a regular basis. Our team has the privilege of hearing stories from dispatchers and other first responder teams. We are often reminded how passionate, proud and strong your teams are.

Does Your Dispatch Center Design Boost Operator Retention?

PSAPs recognize, now more than ever, that the work-environment influences dispatcher focus, comfort, stress-management, engagement, and retention. Learn which workplace improvement is likely to give your dispatchers and your team the biggest boost.

3 Steps Help PSAPs Beat Cold and Flu Call-Outs

Experts agree that you are most at risk for catching (and sharing) viral infections between October and May. There are many surfaces in your Comm Center that harbor germs. Here are some best practices for stopping the spread of the cold and flu.

911 Dispatcher Products & Environments Impact Public Safety

There is little else that epitomizes the term “love – hate relationship” like the working relationship between dispatchers and the police. At times either side can forget that they are working for the same team. And while police deal with the physical side of the job, dispatchers are no stranger to controversy, anger, animosity, stress, and mental anguish.

A dispatcher is usually the first person to deal with most incidents. They need to handle a call, or several of them, dispatch appropriate personnel, and multi-task many different functions at once. And if an incident comes in that involves a catastrophic event, even the most seasoned dispatcher can get overwhelmed.

Sil B. Cares About Your 911 Dispatch Monitor Array

If you’re an emergency communications pro, you know how important it is that tools and technology stay current with public safety regulations and workplace requirements. For us, this means designing solutions that ease technology and equipment integration and access. Learn what inspired Design Engineer, Sil B., to create a better monitor array and why it matters.

5 Healthy Habits for High-performance PSAPs (Free Poster)

Like so many people during this current global pandemic, our first responders and dispatchers are feeling the stress. As we review how Watson can support our critical 911 community, we find ourselves looking at a blog focusing on daily habits. While we cannot control external forces like COVID19, we can control our own actions and attitude to help keep stress levels manageable.

Originally published in 2018, these 5 active strategies to improve communications, relationships, and reduce stress still remain relevant. Download and print this 11×17 Healthy Habits poster for your mission critical team. Print it. Post it. Practice it. We hope it helps!