Dispatch in Depth

Not only has Doug Hogate, Jr., been an Emergency Dispatcher for 20 years, he’s also been a paranormal investigator just as long. He discusses what got him interested in both professions, his approach to emergency response and paranormal investigating (they’re more similar than you think), and advice he’d give to someone starting out on either career path. The episode begins with spooky and funny 9...

The founder of Gold Line Support, John Barney, talks about his organization and its aims in supporting emergency dispatchers everywhere. He discusses Gold Line Support’s three main goals—recognition, meaningful community connection, and initiatives that support long-term resilience in emergency communications—as well as their inaugural First Voice Summit in October 2027.For Your Information: Check...

Don Redmond, Vice President of Drone as First Responder (DFR) at BRINC Drones, talks about how drones fit into the future of emergency response. He discusses his experience as police captain over the Chula Vista Police Department’s pioneer Drone as First Responder program, CAD integration, and who exactly is piloting the drones in agencies participating in similar programs across the country. For...

Kyle Mickelson, Operations Manager with Jeffcom 911, talks about his center’s process of simplifying fire and EMS responses. He discusses what the procedure looked like before consolidation, the buy-in necessary to make the changes, and metrics used to gauge success. For Your Information:Check out Jeffcom’s website: https://www.jeffcom911co.gov/Have a question for Kyle? Go ahead and ask him! kyle...

Ty Wooten, Director of Government Affairs for the IAED, reminisces about his experience as the Director of Emergency Communications at the Indianapolis International Airport on September 11, 2001. He discusses the feelings of uncertainty, the acts of courage and grit, and the ways that the event has impacted all aspects of public safety, including emergency dispatch, ever since.  This is the final...

Joe Wassel, Founding CEO of Zero Nine Thirty-Seven and Principal Consultant with Deep Water Point & Associates, speaks about his experience as a member of the Department of Defense in the Pentagon when it was stuck on September 11th. He also discusses the important roles that leadership, partnerships, and friendships will play in handling the defining moments of your professional and personal...

Chris Carver, Octave’s Director of Market Development, talks about his experience as an emergency dispatcher with the New York Fire Department (FDNY) during the September 11th attacks. He also discusses his role at Octave as well as the book he wrote about his illustrious career in public safety. This is the first installment in a three-part series in honor of the 25th anniversary of 9/11 and the...

Bill Vedra, Director of the Emergency Communications Center (ECC) for the city of Cincinnati, discusses his agency’s re-implementation of the Police Priority Dispatch System (PPDS). He discusses the circumstances surrounding the process, some obstacles in implementation and how they were overcome, and why the agency then aimed for accreditation status. For Your Information:ECC homepage: https://ww...

Jessica Hutchens and Jeri Phillips, training specialists with Guilford Metro 911, talk about the foundational training that all Emergency Dispatchers should receive. They discuss what skills are necessary for an Emergency Dispatcher to have, how those skills can be improved, and ways to make it easy and fun in your comm. center. For Your Information: Use GeoGuessr to help your Emergency Dispatcher...

Jody Mader, Master ETC-I Instructor and 2025 Instructor of the Year, shares some insights she’s gained in her 18 years of experience in emergency telecommunications. She discusses how she became interested in adult education, how to customize the ETC curriculum while still meeting the training standards, and how you can start improving your program one change at a time.  For Your Information: Chec...

Combined Regional Communications Authority (CRCA) 911’s Deputy Director Lindsay Hubbard talks all about their dispatch internship program—how it came to be, how it’s evolved over the past few years, and advice for people looking to start similar programs in their own agencies.  For Your InformationLearn more about CRCA 911!  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CRCA911CO  Instagram: https://www.inst...

Bekah Haywood, Business Analyst for the Solutions Support Team, talks about all things FirstWatch. She discusses the upcoming high-acuity dashboard for Academy Analytics, the importance of peer support in the dispatch center, and how stories and data can work hand in hand. For Your Information: FirstWatch is booth #300 in the Exhibit HallLearn more about Academy Analytics: https://firstwatch.net/w...

Kathy Sukus, GM/OnStar Public Safety Engagement Leader, and Mitch Petterson, a member of the Outreach Team, discuss OnStar’s role as a Partner Sponsor of NAVIGATOR 2026. They highlight OnStar’s ACE status, their free public safety training, and the new Super Cruise feature. For Your Information Check out some of OnStar’s great resources: https://www.onstar.com/public-safetyhttps://www.gmstc.com/in...

Scott MacDonald, CEO of GovWorx, discusses the company’s sponsorship of NAVIGATOR 2026. He discusses where the company finds inspiration for supporting emergency dispatchers and talks about the CommsCoach Hiring and Retention platform, which will be demonstrated at the GovWorx booth. For Your Information:Check out the GovWorx website: https://govworx.ai    

Jeff Freeland, Product Manager for Motorola Solutions' AI Agents and Assistants, and Wendy Lotman, Statewide Account Executive, give an update on what Motorola Solutions is working on, particularly their new Assist Suites. They discuss how their solutions assist emergency dispatchers, why sponsoring NAVIGATOR is a priority, and what you can look out for at their booth in the Exhibit Hall. For Your...

Acting Sergeant Tim Clover with St. Louis University talks about two experiences where he saved someone’s life in an emergency situation—one a choking infant and one a man in a vehicle fire. He discusses how his career as an Emergency Dispatcher and BLS instructor prepared him to spring into action. 

Jordan Kolarik, a Communications Team Leader with New South Wales Ambulance in Australia, talks about the neuroscience behind effective mentorship. He discusses adult learning, best practices, and some case studies from his own agency. For Your Information:Read Jordan’s post on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/jordankolarikjp_whats-really-happening-inside-the-brain-activity-739380418652769...

Dr. Sung Poblete, the CEO of Food Allergy Research and Education (FARE), talks about the time-critical nature of emergency allergy 911 calls. She discusses the role of FARE, what emergency dispatchers should know about anaphylaxis, and a new way to distribute epinephrine.  For Your Information:Check out FARE’s website: https://foodallergy.org   Dr. Tim Dribin’s paper on the anaphylaxis clinical su...

Taylor Davis, Director of Communications for Greenville County EMS (MedCom), talks about her recent Letter to the Editor for the Journal of Emergency Dispatch about her agency’s 84 CPR saves in 2024. She also covers what it’s like to work there, the goals they’re currently working toward, and how to improve center culture overall. For Your Information:  Read Taylor’s Letter to the Editor here: htt...

Jonny McMullan, EMD Mentor Instructor and Curriculum Board Member, gives an update on what has changed in the EMD Mentor course since 2022. He discusses how an EMD Mentor offers different support than a CTO, supervisor, or ED-Q and how it can help overall with staff turnover and burnout. For Your Information: Jonny’s previous podcast episode: https://www.aedrjournal.org/facing-in-the-same-directio...

Edel Burton, Clinical Hospital Pharmacist and Lecturer in Clinical Pharmacy in University of College Cork, discusses her recent study on prehospital care for suspected stroke during the COVID-19 pandemic. She discusses methods, findings, and what she’s going to research next. For Your Information:Edel’s episode about her benchmarking study: https://www.aedrjournal.org/speaking-the-same-language-wi...

Grace Frances, Director of Community Partnerships, talks about the organization End Violence Against Women International (EVAWI) and how it relates to emergency dispatch. She discusses the array of resources that EVAWI provides, including an annual conference and monthly webinars, and how emergency dispatchers often set the tone for a survivor of gender-based violence on their journey to justice....

Nicole Snell, CEO of Girls Fight Back, discusses the importance of boundaries and empowerment in your role as an emergency dispatcher. She outlines some steps for healthy communication and how one person adopting these strategies can influence the whole center. For Your Information: Check out Nicole’s website: https://www.nicolesnell.com/   Connect with Nicole on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com...

Rayna Willis and Tyler Kennington with Parker County Hospital District in Texas discuss their center’s race to ACE. They talk about their motivations, their barriers, and advice for other centers ready to take the plunge. For Your Information:Start your Race to ACE today: https://www.emergencydispatch.org/what-we-do/accreditation  

This combined episode with the hosts of Dispatch in Depth, Tell Me Exactly, and Within the Trenches took place at NAVIGATOR 2025. Attendees were invited to share their answers to the following questions: What facts would you tell someone who doesn’t think emergency dispatchers are first responders? What stories would you tell them? What would you say to other first responders who don’t think emerg...