Behind the Headset: Navigating Life with a 911 Dispatcher
Wednesday, August 5, 2026
2:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Location: Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center, 221 B-C
CEU: 1
Level of Presentation: Intermediate Target Audience: 9-1-1 Coordinator, Manager, Supervisor, Training and Education Coordinator, Director, Public Safety Telecommunicator
“This supportive session offers an open and honest conversation with a 911 supervisor and her husband about what life is really like for dispatch families. Together, they’ll share a practical look at the challenges of shift work, stress, and communication, along with tools to support both your partner and yourself. Participants will learn how to navigate dispatcher life with more understanding, reduce stress at home, and build resilience together.”
Learning Objectives:
1.Deepen the understanding of the dispatcher role: Participants will gain a deeper understanding of the emotional, mental, and logistical challenges 911 dispatchers face—both during shifts and at home—through real-life examples and dual perspectives from a dispatcher and spouse.
2. Strengthen communication and relationship skills: Participants will learn practical, evidence-based communication strategies to navigate tough days, support one another without absorbing each other’s stress, and build healthier routines and boundaries that foster connection.
3. Develop Practical Resilience Strategies to utilize at home and at work: Participants will develop tools for managing their own stress, reducing isolation, balancing family life around shift work, and recognizing signs of burnout or compassion fatigue in themselves and their partner
