Embedded Files
Public safety communicators are 911 operators, call-takers, dispatchers, and tactical radio operators. They are the first point of contact in emergencies.
Their Importance
Their Importance
While remaining calm, they need to gather crucial information to respond effectively to incidents.
They deal with high-stress calls, deciphering concealed messages of distress, and providing emergency care over the telephone.
As true first responders, communicators must calm callers down and walk them through difficult tasks which make the difference in life and death situations, such as delivering a baby and performing cardiorespiratory resuscitation.
Communicators must also be adept at handling calls involving young children, elderly people, and physically or cognitively challenged individuals. The work of a public safety communicator is complex.
Workplace Stress
Workplace Stress
Communicators do shift work under constant light and noise disturbances (multiple screens, alerts, keyboarding typing). They also do overtime on short notice or in the event of a major incident.
Communicators also have to testify in court and deal with hundreds of pranks, pocket dials or false alarms every month. Nuisance calls waste the time and energy that communicators need to focus on the mission-critical calls.
AB-CARES's Contribution
AB-CARES's Contribution
Public service communication is a demanding job that requires a high level of skill and resilience. Despite playing such a critical, pivotal role in our communities, communicators and their work receive little attention from the public.
Communication work is still a “thankless job.” Occupational health and safety in this line of work is also overlooked.
In Canada, communicators are the least studied of all public safety professionals.
AB-CARES will contribute to making communications and communication professionals, including their needs, visible in Canadian society.
Page updated
Google Sites
Report abuse