Being A Good Soldier

I suppose when one works in Emergency Services or Law Enforcement Communications, schedule changes and switcharoos shouldn't come as too much of a surprise. I've always prided myself in being easy-going and flexible, however the changes that occurred last week almost pushed me over the edge. Even as I write that last line I laugh, mostly because it was mostly me being cranky and being subject to changes that weren't my own idea. I do have a little problem with cooperativeness, (just see my quarterly evaluation ;)). To say that my apple cart has been upset is putting it mildly...but I'm being a good little soldier and making the best of an irritating situation. I came back from vacation to find myself placed on a new shift with new hours and new partners. I've been a morning/night/hoot shift dispatcher since I started this adventure 3 years ago and moving to 1500-2300 has been a little bit of a challenge. Of course there's all kinds of backstory that is unique to every department, I may or may not have been replaced on my shift with dispatchers who shouldn't be dispatching...just saying! I'm making the most of my new shift, enjoying the propensity for ridiculousness that occurs :)

The Journey of Fit

Like everyone, I hate swimsuit season.

Mostly because unlike a lot of people, I spend a lot of time sitting at a desk typing and answering phones. (occasionally it varies) This year I decided I was going to head off the summer blues by being pro-active and hitting the gym hard.

So far, it's had the opposite effect, my butt seems to have grown at least a couple of pant sizes...

Between the Krav Maga and the 5 miles a week I'm running I should be in tip-top shape by the time summer gets here with it's dreaded swimsuit season!

To Act...or Not to Act

Probably a Dispatcher's worst nightmare.
Citizen calls and reports an officer in trouble.

You know where he is, you know someone is close, but it still doesn't keep your heart from plummenting to your toes.

But thankfully, this is not one of those which ends badly, everyone will go home at the end of shift, and in one piece.

Thank you public for doing the right thing this time. If only there were more who would act instead of turning a blind eye.

Rational/irrational...

Has anyone ever tried to reason with an irrational pissed off person? I understand that generally in this business most people aren't really being rational to start with but, there's always that chance that they are at least in full control of their mental faculties.

My question is, how does one handle an individual who is not in full control mentally, i.e. dementia or Alzheimer's and try to explain to them that there's nothing we can do?

Had a dear old gentleman last night who posed just such a challenge. He's in his 70's, a Vietnam vet and has dementia. He was understandably irate, yet he wasn't capable of being allowed to do what he wanted. I had no answers for him and it broke my heart just a little. But, it also made me think, can I handle that part of being a police officer? Can I make those calls with full faith that I'm making the right decision? It's something to ponder for me definitely.

I'm heading into days off, everyone stay safe and keep up the good work!

The white elephant.

Sometimes I like to combine metaphors. Emperors clothes and white elephants, things that need addressing but everyone ignores. Somewhere a power that be in our department decided there was a need for twice monthly meetings. I'm all for this if they would actually accomplish something. Otherwise the troublemakers continue to cause trouble and the followers still follow and the peacemakers still keeping getting their butts handed to them. It's a vicious cycle. Until yesterday.

I have more faith in my Lieutenant than ever before, sad I know. But maybe things may be changing for the better. It's going to be an interesting journey because I know he will be held to his word and I wonder if he's prepared for the consequences.

Determination

Some days I would love to just throw in the towel; tell college "I'm out, I've had enough".

The 12 hour shifts coupled with 5 days a week of classes which equal days of little to no sleep has definitely taken a toll on me, both physically and mentally. There is a light at the end of the tunnel, however I don't know if April 20th can get here soon enough! After that, only 18 hours left to knock out then I can check off that Bachelor's degree from my bucket list.

I know, I'm mid-20's and have a bucket list, stranger things happen :)

It's early March, spring is starting to make an appearance, as are tornados.
So everyone out there, get your emergency kits together, don't forget batteries, water, (toliet paper)... you know, all the essentials!

Tell me again...

How do some people manage to survive infanthood?

I'm not a fan of Daylight Savings Time, mostly because I sleep during the day, but if it gives people to reason to ask more dumb questions then I'm game.

Friendly townsfolk: Can I ask you a question?
Friendly Dispatcher: Of course.
Friendly townsfolk: Will the time change change if we have school on Monday?
Friendly Dispatcher: ..... I don't believe it will affect it at all.
Friendly townsfolk: Okay, thank you.

Hmm...