Here's Why Your PSAP Should Care About Pencil Trays
If you are a public safety communications professional, you know the best dispatch console workstations are designed, engineered and built to meet the distinct needs of multiple groups – dispatchers, IT specialists and facility managers. Of all the unique features on a 911 workstation, a pencil tray is rarely among them. So, you might ask, “Why is this relevant to my PSAP?” Here is why.
Effective Mission Critical Teams Combat Fatigue with a "Stress Helps" Mindset
A “stress helps” mindset may sound counter-intuitive – especially when the stress you experience is affecting your sleep, your mood, and your relationships. For 911 dispatchers and other mission-critical operators, learning to tame the stress effect is critical for daily health and long-term stability.
PSAP teams can attest to the cyclical highs and lows associated with real-time monitoring. The dramatic swings in emotional engagement, coupled with the critical nature of the response, can make stress-management a challenge. If unchecked the ill-effects of stress can lead to disengagement, increased absenteeism, burnout and churn.
This Leadership Approach May Be Sabotaging Your Center's Success
Lisa had been a telecommunicator for about 3 years when she hit a wall. Despite knowing her work was meaningful (she was saving lives, after all), she couldn’t shake the feeling she could be doing more with her life. Frequent overtime could’ve been a factor, but she and her family appreciated the larger paycheck. Her coworkers were sometimes a challenge to deal with, but, for the most part, she got along with everyone. Another consideration dawned on her.
Dispatch Conference Expos Offer Free Access to Industry Experts
Function? Durability? Style? Cost. At a conference expo, your team can conduct thorough research (in one location) by evaluating how multiple vendors score in each of these areas. Even if you are not currently “buying,” keep in mind that your team is more likely to SECURE FUNDING if you provide a clear case for the need along with product comparisons and budget numbers.
Top 3 Treadmills for Your Dispatch Console Workstation
In a previous blog, Treadmills at your dispatch console: the good, the bad, and the ugly, we shared experiences that 911 dispatchers have had with treadmills in their centers. We learned that it’s not always a great fit for everyone. For those centers that have decided to incorporate treadmills, here are the top picks for commercial applications AND three reasons why sourcing directly can benefit your team.
Reduce Eye Strain with Dispatch Console Lighting
Florescent lighting + long hours in front of screens = sore eyes, blurry vision, and headaches. If you are monitoring critical operations you have experienced, or will likely experience, these symptoms. For this reason, dispatch console lighting has quickly risen to the top as a critical addition to the dispatcher’s tool kit. Flexible task lights are even better and here’s why.
How public safety pros can stop overthinking and do more of what they want
When your life is defined by how much you do for the world-the difference you make to those around you-it feels counter-intuitive to hit the PAUSE button. But what if a simple pause held more happiness and an increased ability to care for the world? Yes, by slowing down it’s possible to do more! Read on to discover why hitting “pause” reduces stress and is especially beneficial if you have a high-stress role.
3 Trends in 911 Call Center Design
At Watson we have the privilege to work with hundreds of PSAPs throughout the course of a year as they design their new facilities. A few times a year we take a moment to reflect and identify patterns in customer preferences, evolving functional requirements and technology integration. While every center has their own unique requirements, the following three trends are currently driving most of our new project specifications.
When charged to spend municipal dollars for dispatcher desks, it is crucial to make an educated and value-driven choice. PSAPs are discovering they can gain long-term benefit from specific furniture function and design attributes. If your 911 call center or security office is concerned with operator health and focus, maximizing your space, or reducing overflow and clutter, read on.
The lesser-known benefits of investing in "special" dispatch console desks
If you are not directly involved with staffing a 911 communications center, you likely do not realize the challenges cities face to retain telecommunicators. Providing the right tools for the job, including specialized dispatcher desks, is one way Comm Centers prioritize community safety, and protect public funding from the high spend associated with higher-than-average turnover.
4 Keys to Selecting the Highest Quality Dispatch Console Manufacturer
Selecting new dispatch furniture can be incredibly exciting. Working with your team to visualize and evaluate the latest and greatest dispatcher desks can boost morale and lead to increased employee engagement. For good reason, features and benefits are major drivers in the selection. Often overlooked, however, are less tangible attributes of potential vendors. Here’s why these are equally important in the decision-making process.
Do Operators Benefit from "Special" 911 Dispatch Console Desks?
Recently, a customer’s procurement team asked why the dispatchers required 911 dispatch console work stations – versus standard desks. This is a great question and something public agencies should ask when allocating public funds as it is not always easy to balance limited funding across multiple agencies. Being informed about why certain tools are right for the job is one way organizations demonstrate good stewardship of the funds, and respect for the teams and communities they serve.
6 NEAT Activities to Reduce 911 Dispatcher Stress
If you are a 911 dispatcher or operator tethered to a dispatch console work station, the opportunity to incorporate healthy movement into your day may feel restricted. We recently shared that non exercise activity thermogenesis, NEAT, can be a valuable part of a plan for a healthier and more resilient you. The best thing about NEAT is that 1) you are already doing it and 2) it is EASY to increase NEAT activities and benefit from the results. Read on for additional information and a few tips for putting NEAT to work.
The Best Comm Center Leaders are Great at Prioritizing This One Thing
Martha and Jim each have a very different impact on their center. Martha inspires a high degree of trust. The team members offer solutions to organizational challenges without fear of making mistakes. On Jim’s shift, the feeling is different. Day-to-day, his subordinates don’t know what to expect. His employees generally keep their ideas for improving the center to themselves. Do either of these scenarios sound familiar? Read on and discover the attribute that is the biggest differentiator.
Did You Know that Chewing Gum Can Reduce 911 Dispatcher Stress?
The energy expended during physical activities, other than intentional sporting-like exercise, is called NEAT. NEAT movements can boost calorie burn, increase muscular-skeletal health, and reduce stress. And, yes, chewing gum is one qualifying NEAT activity. That said, learn about more effective NEAT strategies you can incorporate into your day.
Make Sure You "Kick the Tires" on Dispatch Console Furniture in 2018
If you are ready to invest in dispatch console furniture, you want to be sure you get exactly what you need. And it’s not always easy getting your team in front of the workstations you are considering. Short of multiple day trips to multiple centers near you, what is the best way to live-demo dispatch console furniture?
3 Steps to a PSAP, Security or Call Center Furniture Installation
You have researched every furniture vendor in the market. You have reviewed every feature available for modern call center and dispatch console furniture, from ambient lighting and forced heated air to status lights and cup holders. You have reviewed surface finishes and fabric samples with you team. You have braved the RFP process and selected the perfect vendor for your new furniture. It may seem like your work is complete; it has only just begun.
Here's Why You'll Be Glad Your PSAP Call Center Furniture Rep Asks Many Questions
Your workstation purchase is a big deal. After all, if you are manning a PSAP console, your team will use these workstations for ten years or more. If you have ever been at a center during a console furniture purchase, you might have heard this, “Why are they asking so many questions right now. We’re not even ready to buy!?” Here’s why.
5 Ways 911 Dispatchers Boost Energy Without Caffeine
When exhaustion hits, it is easy to reach for a caffeinated soda, energy drink, or an aroma-filled cup of joe. While caffeine has become the standard, there are more effective ways to boost your energy without the crash. Get ready to take your shift head-on with these five alternatives for energy without the caffeine.
High Performance PSAPs Benefit from Top 5 Our Blogs of 2017
More than 10,000 visits by Comm Center managers, IT managers, and 911 telecommunicators have landed these blogs on the top 5 for 2017. If you haven’t had the chance yet, give them a read.
911 Dispatch Console Furniture Quick-Start Buyer's Guide
Buying 911 dispatch console furniture is a big deal. Most PSAPs receive furniture budget every seven to 10 years. When they do it is likely the staffer leading the charge will not have guided the process before. The depth of information related to police and fire dispatch furniture is vast. Many PSAP teams have shared that they have made purchases in haste and not received ideal solutions for their team. You can change that.
The Motivation Myth: Why Your Comm Center Employees Aren't Motivated
In the quest for a fully staffed communications center, it can be difficult to know what people really want out of their work experience. Fortunately, if you don’t know, it’s not a problem. The best comm centers don’t try to motivate their people. They focus on something much more powerful instead.
Shop Wisely for 911 Dispatch Furniture: Up the ROI with Better Design
There are benefits sometimes missed during the evaluation of communications center furniture. Seasoned 911 dispatch staffers will understand why specific feature sets are important for the long-term benefit of a Center and team. Read on to learn how you can up the ROI on your dispatch consoles and commercial furniture purchase.
Shop for 911 Dispatch Furniture: What Does Your Team Need?
With thoughtful research you can stretch your budget and give teams what they need to be comfortable, focused and productive. Furniture provides value beyond the basic features sets. Your dispatcher workstations, desks, conference and training room tables can influence mood, team dynamics and the public’s perception of your organization. Learn how you can up the ROI on your dispatch consoles and commercial furniture purchase.
Shop Wisely for 911 Dispatch Furniture and Get More Bang for the Buck!
“I wish selecting dispatch furniture was easier. How do I keep the operator’s happy and the consoles within budget?” “How do I get more bang for the buck?” …Sourcing complex technology furniture can be a challenge. You CAN have it all. Learn why some features matter more than others and discover long-term payoffs that you may not have thought about.