Let's Talk Dispatch
Let's Talk Dispatch with Ashley Valenzuela is a series dedicated to educating, empowering, and supporting the heroes behind the headset. Ashley is a 911 dispatcher in California and the creator of The Raspy Dispatcher LLC. Listen as she partners with industry leaders to add tools to every first responder's toolbelt. No topic is off-limits. Remember to subscribe, rate, and tell a friend, and find us on social media by searching The Raspy Dispatcher.
Episodes
In this episode of Let’s Talk Dispatch, we sit down with Heather Williams, a licensed psychologist and founder of Premier First Responder Psychological Services.
With over 25 years of experience working in law enforcement and public safety, Heather has dedicated her life to improving the mental health and wellness of first responders.
From building peer support programs to providing critical incident response and wellness training,...
In this episode of Let’s Talk Dispatch, I’m joined by AK Dozanti, a former deputy sheriff turned First Responder Burnout Specialist and founder of Life Saver Wellness.
AK shares her journey from law enforcement to burnout prevention, offering actionable insights on recognizing, preventing, and recovering from burnout in emergency services.
With her relatable approach and deep understanding of the challenges first responders face, t...
In this episode of Let’s Talk Dispatch, I’m joined by Brandi Powell, Executive Director and Founder of The 911 Chaplain Initiative Inc. With 15 years of experience as a dispatcher and trainer, Brandi shares her journey, the inspiration behind her nonprofit, and her mission to provide emotional and spiritual support to telecommunicators.We discuss the challenges of fundraising, the critical role of well-being in the 911 profession, ...
In this episode of Let’s Talk Dispatch, I sit down with Will Young, a dedicated public safety telecommunicator and passionate advocate for neurodiversity in emergency communications. Will shares his journey into public safety, his involvement with APCO and NENA, and his mission to create more inclusive emergency communication centers (ECCs).
We explore how embracing neurodiversity can help address the staffing crisis, provide better...
In this episode of Let's Talk Dispatch I am joined by T’airra Whitis a seasoned communications center manager and doctoral researcher exploring how supportive leadership can transform dispatch centers.
We discuss the vital need for empathy in leadership, the impact of offering training and development opportunities, and how connecting more deeply with staff can improve morale and retention.
Tune in to hear practical insights from T’a...
Partners in Crisis: Peer Support and Therapy in the Communication Center with Kate Farber and Hudson
In this episode ofLet’s Talk Dispatch, we sit down with Katie Farber, a Public Safety Dispatcher II at Ventura County Fire Dispatch.
Katie shares her journey in dispatch, her experience leading the Peer Support Team, and her unique partnership with Hudson, a certified therapy dog. Together, they provide comfort during critical incidents and large-scale emergencies like wildfires.
Katie also discusses the challenges and successes in b...
In this episode of Let's Talk Dispatch, we’re joined by Stephen Sutton, a Senior Telecommunicator with over 30 years in public safety. Stephen shares his journey through EMS, Corrections, and 911, shedding light on how these experiences shape his approach to leadership and managing change.
We explore the constant evolution of 911 centers—from staffing challenges to the impact of AI—and discuss strategies for navigating these trans...
Today's episode marks our first Minisode of 2025!
These stand-alone episodes will keep you updated on all things happening at The Raspy Dispatcher, highlight dispatch-related news you won't want to miss, and so much more.
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In this episode of Let's Talk Dispatch, Maria Henry, a CAD System Administrator with 26 years of experience as a 911 dispatcher, joins us to discuss mental health and the evolving career paths for dispatchers.
A living organ donor and current doctoral candidate in Information Technology, Maria reflects on the incredible support of her 911 community during a personal milestone and shares her vision for the future of public safety c...
In this episode of Let's Talk Dispatch, Reggie Parker joins us to shed light on the often-overlooked role of dispatchers in crisis situations.
As a Behavioral Health Coordinator and crisis negotiation leader, Reggie has dedicated his career to empowering dispatchers with emotional resilience and de-escalation skills.
Together, we discuss the importance of recognizing dispatchers as first responders, their role in debriefings, and...
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