Episode 642 features Alora, director at Unacoi 911 out Tennessee.

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Episode topics –

• How Alora got started in public safety and her rapid shift from part-time to full-time dispatcher

• The reality of short dispatcher training and surviving the critical early days on the job

• Experiences handling traumatic and life-changing emergency calls

• Leading her team through the chaos of Hurricane Helene and the unexpected impact on the community

• The story of Stella, the dispatch center's emotional support dog, and the positive effect on team morale

If you have any comments or questions or would like to be a guest on the show, please email me at wttpodcast@gmail.com.

Episode 641 features Gina, ECC Engagement Manager, w/RapidSOS and 911 professional

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Episode topics –

• Gina's journey from a law enforcement family to a career in dispatch and RapidSOS

• Training challenges and early calls that shaped her perspective

• Emotional toll and mental health strategies for dispatchers

• Memorable stories—both comical and intense—that highlight the dispatch experience

• The shift to RapidSOS, technology's role in saving lives, and advice for new dispatchers

If you have any comments or questions or would like to be a guest on the show, please email me at wttpodcast@gmail.com.

Ep 640 features Shannon, a 911 professional out of Virginia.

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Episode topics –

• Dispatchers' experiences handling severe winter weather and long shifts

• Shannon's unique journey into dispatch and her approach to training new recruits

• Emotional challenges and the importance of closure after difficult emergency calls

• The viral "trash panda" (raccoon) liquor store incident and how it unfolded from the dispatch perspective

• Advice for staying compassionate and positive in a high-stress 911 environment

If you have any comments or questions or would like to be a guest on the show, please email me at wttpodcast@gmail.com.

Ep 639 features Hannah, a 911 professional out of Florida.

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• Hannah's unconventional entry into public safety and her first intense sit-along experience

• The unique stresses, training, and teamwork required in a high-volume, multi-position dispatch center

• Memorable and unusual emergency calls—including a runaway monkey and a man-on-fire incident

• The mental health impact of dispatch work and ways to seek support and closure

• Small but meaningful moments where dispatchers make a difference, like teaching someone to tie a tie in a crisis

If you have any comments or questions or would like to be a guest on the show, please email me at wttpodcast@gmail.com.

Join me for a special episode highlighting a recent project experience with Business Insider for their Insider YouTube channel entitled, "How 911 Dispatchers Actually Work."

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• Preview of Ricardo's appearance on Business Insider's Insider channel

• Real-life 911 calls and memorable dispatcher moments

• The challenges of multitasking and triaging calls under pressure

• The emotional impact and lasting memories from the job

• Advocacy for 911 professionals and why their stories matter

If you have any comments or questions or would like to be a guest on the show, please email me at wttpodcast@gmail.com.

Join me for a special episode highlighting a recent visit to Calhoun County 911 in Michigan.

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• Shout out and transition for longtime sponsor Indigital, and introduction of RapidSOS as the new episode sponsor.

• Visit to Calhoun County Consolidated Dispatch Authority in Michigan, including B-roll, interviews, and the vibe inside the center.

• The importance of teamwork, communication, and positive culture within dispatch centers.

• Emotional highlights from real emergency calls and how dispatchers support each other through critical moments.

• Powerful story of a lifesaving dispatch call coming full circle years later.

If you have any comments or questions or would like to be a guest on the show, please email me at wttpodcast@gmail.com.

Ep 636 features Carolyn, a 911 professional out of Texas.

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• Carolyn's unexpected start in public safety and her early experiences in dispatch.

• The significance and emotional impact of receiving the Guiding Light Award.

• Memorable calls and moments that shaped Carolyn's career and perspective.

• Major shifts in technology over the last three decades, including AI and real-time crime centers.

• Advice for new dispatchers and the importance of mental health and giving grace in the profession.

If you have any comments or questions or would like to be a guest on the show, please email me at wttpodcast@gmail.com.

Join me for a special New Year's Eve episode of Within the Trenches, where I share deeply personal and unforgettable stories from the past.

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• Milestones and growth of the Within the Trenches podcast, including over 2.4 million downloads and international reach

• Ricardo's holiday adventures and family stories, from running the Rocky Steps to visiting Centralia, PA

• Behind-the-scenes tales of working New Year's Eve shifts as a dispatcher, including humorous and challenging calls

• Personal experiences taking emergency calls involving friends, family, and even his own house

• A heartfelt tribute to Ricardo's Uncle Emmett and reflections on the importance of family, connection, and living life without regrets

If you have any comments or questions or would like to be a guest on the show, please email me at wttpodcast@gmail.com.