Episode 14: Deborah Green - Dispatcher for 27+ years, Former National Guard and Military Police Member

Welcome to I Will Hold Space For Your Darkness; a First Responder Mental Health Podcast hosted by Erin Jane. 

A former Australian Police Officer and Detective, wife of an American Firefighter, previous crisis counsellor for a suicide prevention organization and current CISM trained, certified Life & Wellness Coach for First Responders, Emergency Services Members, Spouses and Loved Ones.

In this episode, Erin speaks with Deborah Green, a retired Dispatcher with over 27 years experience with the El Dorado County Sheriff's Department and additionally, the Sacramento Police Department. She was also a member of the National Guard out in California and a member of the Military Police.

Deborah talks about her experience early on in the National Guard, getting sent to assist with the Rodney King riots and how facing up to violence from her fellow citizens was challenging and confronting for her.

She talks about why she chose to become a dispatcher, her experience in the academy and how the technology has changed significantly over her almost 30 year career.

Erin and Deb discuss some famous/infamous cases that her department was involved in or that occurred in her area, including the East Area Rapist and the Jaycee Lee Dugard kidnapping.

Deb talks about the mental health struggles faced by dispatchers and the fatal incident that really was the straw to break the camels back, so to speak; the shooting death of her friend and colleague, in the line of duty, while she was the dispatcher on shift. She recounts this experience in harrowing detail and explains that this incident led to her PTSD diagnosis.

She is honest about how the exposure to so many incidents over her lengthy career compounded and eventuated in a diagnosis of Complex PTSD and her retirement from service, far earlier than she ever imagined. Deb also explains that every First Responder from her department who attended or was involved in that tragic incident left within the following 12-18 months.

Deb tells Erin about how thankful she is that she was already in therapy when the fatal shooting occurred and knows it was the tools she had already learned that helped her get through. That despite her diagnosis, she is surviving and has found happiness in her "new normal".

Deb is on a mission to share her story, so that others know they are not alone in their experiences and that change happens from the top. That all aspects of our First Responder community must be included when it comes to tackling the mental health challenges that face this important population and it's crucial to remember the ripple and flow on affects from each critical incident, shooting or even suicide. If it affects one, it has the potential to affect everyone.

It was wonderful to speak with Deb and we both hope you enjoy listening to this episode! If you'd like to get in touch with her or follow her on social media, please see below:

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