Unspoken heroes

Several years ago, I had the privilege of working with some great people while employed as a dispatcher with Montgomery Fire. I'm sure some things have changed since I was there, but one thing stays constant. Firemen and medics would not know where to go, and you as citizens would not get the help needed, if not for dispatchers.

Dispatchers are the link to people and rarely get the praise they deserve. They take 911 calls that are often from people who are hysterical or don't know where they are. They talk people through emergencies, learn codes and procedures, dispatch units and so much more. These are things your average person doesn't know. I didn't until I took a job that can be satisfying and sometimes humbling.

I found myself worrying about the firemen and medics, wanting them to be safe. I never wanted to call a death over the radio ... never. Dispatchers are under the stress of getting the calls right, dispatching the right units and all the other responsibilities they have. Everyone remembers the fire fighters, and they should, but you should also remember your dispatchers.

Dispatchers are unspoken heroes, and although I no longer work with them, I'll never forget them or what they do for our city. Thank you for serving us.