Let's Talk Dispatch

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

May 14, 2025 51 mins

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,...

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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...

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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, ...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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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.


Be sure to hit that subscribe button so you never miss an update!


Interested in joining our Dispatch Dialogues?

Sign up through this link here.

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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...

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January 8, 2025 55 mins

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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In this episode of Let's Talk Dispatch, we’re joined by Jason Barto, a dedicated Peer Supporter and founder of The Paths of the Warriors. With a rich background in emergency services, Jason has served as a Ski Patroller, Firefighter, HAZMAT Specialist, and a member of Utah Task Force One. He shares his journey through some of his most critical incidents and how personal traumas have shaped his commitment to supporting First Respond...
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In this episode of Let's Talk Dispatch, we chat with a newly promoted Fire Communications Supervisor who has been dispatching for five years. Josh Miller shares their journey from Fire Explorer to Reserve Firefighter, discuss the challenges of burnout, and explain how humor and creativity have helped them stay grounded in high-stress situations. Discover how their viral Dispatch It videos and CalAPCO presentation inspire others to...
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In this episode, we’re joined by Jason Barbour, a 911 industry leader with over 30 years of experience, and Dave Warner, a retired law enforcement professional with 15 years at Priority Dispatch. Together, they tackle the growing challenge of police shortages, sharing how Priority Dispatch’s Police Priority Dispatch System (PPDS) and ProQA interface are helping agencies streamline call handling, integrate alternate responses, and r...
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Introducing the first installment of Voices from the Communication Center—a powerful segment spotlighting the real stories, advice, and daily realities of 911 dispatchers who serve as the lifeline in your community. In this episode, we visit Aurora 911 in Aurora, CO; Pleasanton Police Department in Pleasanton, CA; Lincoln Police Department in Lincoln, NE; and San Jose Police Department in CA. While this video showcases some of the ...
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Have a story to share? The Let's Talk Dispatch Podcast is all about amplifying the voices of dispatchers and emergency services professionals! You can:✅ Sign up to be a guest and share your journey, insights, and lessons learned in this incredible field.✅ Submit your story to be featured on a Let's Talk Dispatch minisode – whether it's a funny call, a heartfelt moment, or a unique experience from the comm center, we want to hear it...
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In this episode, I’m joined by Danny McAtee, the Director of Peer Support for Runestone Ranch, Danny is a seasoned EMS professional with over 20 years of experience in emergency services. We discuss the critical importance of mental health support for first responders, and how peer support can bridge the gap between fieldwork and mental health resilience. Danny shares his insight into the behind-the-scenes pressures of emergency r...
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In today’s episode, we’re joined by a Fire/EMS Manager Matt Glogolich. With almost 14 years of dedication to Public Safety Communications, Matt has climbed the ranks from an entry-level dispatcher to a leadership position, overseeing Fire and EMS operations. They'll share stories from the field, discuss the challenges and triumphs of their journey, and offer insights into what it takes to thrive in this high-stakes career.Whether y...
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In this episode, we sit down with Jessica Snead, Program Coordinator and Lead Instructor at the Houston Community College 911 Dispatch Academy. With nearly a decade of hands-on dispatch experience, Jessica has worked across all emergency service disciplines, rising to a supervisory role and now actively training the next generation of dispatchers. Jessica shares her passion for elevating pre-agency training to better equip dispatch...
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In this episode, I’m joined by Jeremy, a dedicated firefighter and the leader of Beyond the Badge Paranormal. With 18 years of experience in emergency services, Jeremy shares his personal journey through mental health challenges and his passion for raising awareness on these critical issues. As a paranormal investigator, Jeremy also brings some chilling stories from his ghost-hunting adventures. Together, we explore the intersectio...
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In this special episode of The Let’s Talk Dispatch Podcast, we're shaking things up with a conversation that goes both ways! I’m joined by students from Seneca College’s 911 & Emergency Services Communications Program, where they’re diving into an APCO-accredited course on Communication and Center Technology. These future dispatchers have just as many questions for me as I do for them. Tune in to hear how Canada is shaping the ...
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