Unheard Voices: The Extraordinary Life of a Dispatcher

Episode Number: 31

Publish Date: Jan 19, 2023

Host: Arjuna George

Guest: Deborah Green

Brief Description:

📚 Unlocking Potential and Enhancing Wellness in Firefighters | Beneath the Helmet Podcast

In this episode of Beneath the Helmet, host and retired Fire Chief Arjuna George explores the overlooked mental and emotional struggles that dispatchers experience in their jobs. We sit down with Deborah Green, a retired police dispatcher, who shares her personal journey, from dealing with multiple officer-related shootings to managing related post-traumatic stress. Listen as we delve into the importance of mental health awareness, therapy, and support among emergency responders. Don't miss Deborah's inspiring message of resilience, recovery, and the need for continued mental health care for retirees from the field.

0:00 Deb Greene

00:06 Introduction to the Podcast

00:34 Welcoming Listeners to Season Two

01:40 Introducing the Guest: Deborah Green

02:32 Deborah's Journey: From Military Police to Dispatcher

03:14 Deborah's Experience in the LA Riots

04:43 The Challenges of Being a Dispatcher

06:14 Deborah's Career Progression and Traumatic Experiences

08:18 The Impact of Officer-Involved Shootings

09:36 Deborah's Retirement and Reflections

10:02 The Importance of Mental Health Support in Dispatching

11:36 Deborah's Last Day and Transition into Retirement

12:07 Self-Care and Coping Strategies for Dispatchers

35:28 The Importance of Having a Therapist

37:15 Dealing with Anxiety and Panic Attacks

39:38 The Challenges of Retirement and Transition

41:42 The Need for Continued Care and Support

43:31 Sharing Personal Experiences and Stories

46:30 The Importance of Mental Health and Self-Care

49:16 The Power of Sharing and Healing

49:16 The Role of Social Media in Sharing Stories

49:21 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Resources and Links Mentioned in this Episode:

🔗 BC First Responders Mental Health https://bcfirstrespondersmentalhealth...

Recommendations:

📖 Book - Burnt Around the Edges – A Guide to Mastering Stress and Surviving Burnout - Arjuna George (Available on Amazon, Apple and Google Books)

Bio Deborah started her career as a Communications and Military Police officer with the California Army National Guard in 1986. She was hired by the Sacramento Police Dept in 1992. Followed by El Dorado County Sheriff's Department in 1994. She eventually retired in 2021 due to PTSD/cPTSD

Connect with the Host:

🎙️Arjuna George – Fire Chief (ret)

Owner of Silver Arrow Coaching and Consulting, Beneath the Helmet Show, and Burnt Around the Edges author.

www.silverarrowco.com

www.burntaroundtheedges.com

www.beneaththehelmet.ca 

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🔥Show Sponsored by Silver Arrow Coaching and Consulting - Burnout and Resilience Coaching for High Performers. Visit www.silverarrowco.com to learn more or to book a complimentary meet and greet. Don't just live life; thrive!