Within the Trenches

Episode 650 features a LIVE podcast episode with guest, Keely, as we chat about National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week. Sponsored by RapidSOS - Facebook | LinkedIn | X | Web Episode topics – Recognizing the vital role of 911 professionals during National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week Firsthand stories and the power of sharing personal experiences in public safety Behind-the-scenes lo...

Episode 649 features a solo episode with me, Ricardo, and we answer the following questions, "what has dispatch taught me about humanity?" Sponsored by RapidSOS - Facebook | LinkedIn | X | Web Episode topics – The impact of the #IAM911 movement and upcoming 10-year anniversary challenge coin Dark realities dispatchers face, including high-stress incidents like officer-involved shootings and domest...

Episode 648 features Brandi, Executive Dir. with The 911 Chaplain Initiative. Sponsored by RapidSOS - Facebook | LinkedIn | X | Web The 911 Chaplain Initiative - Web Episode topics – Brandy Powell's path from growing up with a police officer father to becoming a 911 dispatcher and chaplain The emotional impact of critical calls and finding closure as a dispatcher How humor, empathy, and community...

Episode 647 features Ashley, a 911 professional with Skiatook Police Department in Oklahoma. Sponsored by RapidSOS - Facebook | LinkedIn | X | Web Episode topics – How Ashley got into public safety and her rapid onboarding experience. The challenges and surprises of being a new 911 dispatcher. The emotional impact of emergency calls and handling stress on the job. Ashley's life-saving CPR call and...

Episode 646 features Autumn, a 911 professional at Indian River County Sheriff's Office out of Florida. Sponsored by RapidSOS - Facebook | LinkedIn | X | Web Episode topics – How Autumn got started in public safety and her motivation behind the career The intense first calls, including challenging suicide and CPR emergencies Coping with emotional stress and the importance of mental health support...

Episode 645 features an Open Mic LIVE chat with Joe Serio of the 360 Dispatcher as we look at the 911 Leadership Training event he hosts at the Mayan ranch in Bandera, TX. Sponsored by RapidSOS - Facebook | LinkedIn | X | Web Episode topics – Behind-the-scenes look at the 911 leadership and mental health training events at the Mayan Ranch The importance of breaking the ice and building real connec...

Episode 644 features a look at the 911 Goes to Washington conference hosted by NENA through, 1st VP, Roxy Van Gundy, Congresswoman Norma Torres, and James, a 911 professional out of NJ. Sponsored by RapidSOS - Facebook | LinkedIn | X | Web Episode topics – Breakdown of the importance and impact of the 911 Goes to Washington conference. Updates on the Enhancing First Response Act and the push to re...

Episode 643 features Keely, Marketing Contractor with RapidSOS, Ben, VP of Product with RapidSOS, and myself as we cover Most Important Seconds - After the Pitt. Sponsored by RapidSOS - Facebook | LinkedIn | X | Web Episode topics – Behind-the-scenes of a special HBO Max event honoring first responders and showcasing "The Pit" Real-world challenges of outages in 911 centers and hospitals, and how...

Episode 642 features Alora, director at Unacoi 911 out Tennessee. Sponsored by RapidSOS - Facebook | LinkedIn | X | Web 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 he...

Episode 641 features Gina, ECC Engagement Manager, w/RapidSOS and 911 professional Sponsored by RapidSOS - Facebook | LinkedIn | X | Web 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 inten...

Ep 640 features Shannon, a 911 professional out of Virginia. Sponsored by RapidSOS - Facebook | LinkedIn | X | Web 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...

Ep 639 features Hannah, a 911 professional out of Florida. Sponsored by INdigital - Facebook | LinkedIn | X | Web RapidSOS - Facebook | LinkedIn | X | Web 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 r...

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." Sponsored by RapidSOS - Facebook | LinkedIn | X | Web 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...

Join me for a special episode highlighting a recent visit to Calhoun County 911 in Michigan. Sponsored by RapidSOS - Facebook | LinkedIn | X | Web 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 impo...

Ep 636 features Carolyn, a 911 professional out of Texas. Sponsored by INdigital - Facebook | LinkedIn | X | Web RapidSOS - Facebook | LinkedIn | X | Web 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...

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. Sponsored by INdigital - Facebook | LinkedIn | X | Web RapidSOS - Facebook | LinkedIn | X | Web Milestones and growth of the Within the Trenches podcast, including over 2.4 million downloads and international reach Ricardo's holiday adventures and family stori...

Join me for a special holiday episode of Within the Trenches, where I share deeply personal and unforgettable stories from Christmases past. Join me for a special holiday episode of Within the Trenches, where I share deeply personal and unforgettable stories from Christmases past. Sponsored by INdigital - Facebook | LinkedIn | X | Web RapidSOS - Facebook | LinkedIn | X | Web An unforgettable famil...

Ep 633 features Meagan, a 911 professional out of Kansas. Sponsored by INdigital - Facebook | LinkedIn | X | Web RapidSOS - Facebook | LinkedIn | X | Web How Meagan was inspired by her family's legacy in public safety and shifted from loss prevention to dispatch. The challenges and learning curves facing new dispatchers, including handling overwhelming noise and high-stress situations. First-hand...

Ep 632 features Hope, a 911 director with New Hanover County 911 out of NC. Sponsored by INdigital - Facebook | LinkedIn | X | Web RapidSOS - Facebook | LinkedIn | X | Web Episode topics – First-hand accounts of Hope's early days as a young dispatcher and her baptism by fire The unique demands and life-or-death challenges of working in rural, small-town dispatch centers The critical impact of effe...

Ep 631 features Anthony, a 911 professional and supervisor with Cass County Central Dispatch in Michigan. Sponsored by INdigital - Facebook | LinkedIn | X | Web RapidSOS - Facebook | LinkedIn | X | Web Episode topics – What dispatchers might say if sarcasm was allowed on 911 calls The surprising reality behind common (and not-so-emergency) 911 calls Dispatchers' picks for their ultimate theme song...

Ep 630 features Nate, a 911 professional and trainer with Cass County Central Dispatch in Michigan. Sponsored by INdigital - Facebook | LinkedIn | X | Web RapidSOS - Facebook | LinkedIn | X | Web Episode topics – The critical role of RapidSOS technology in saving lives and responding to emergencies. The emotional impact of high-stress calls, including life-saving successes and tragic outcomes. Ree...

Ep 629 features Anthony, a 911 professional and supervisor with Cass County Central Dispatch in Michigan. Episode topics – Anthony's path from growing up around the firehouse to working 24 years in public safety and 13 years in dispatch The unexpected challenges and misconceptions about working in 911, including memorable early calls and on-the-job lessons Raw stories that stuck with Anthony, from...

Ep 628 features Janie and Nate, 911 professionals with Cass County Central Dispatch in Michigan. Sponsored by INdigital - Facebook | LinkedIn | X | Web RapidSOS - Facebook | LinkedIn | X | Web Episode topics – The nerve-wracking experience of being filmed for a special project at Cass County Central Dispatch and Edwardsburg Fire Department How Janie and Nate each found their way into dispatch and...

Ep 627 features Tipi, the Chief of Staff at the Office of Unified Communications (OUC). Sponsored by INdigital - Facebook | LinkedIn | X | Web RapidSOS - Facebook | LinkedIn | X | Web Episode topics – Tipi's journey from high school aspirations to Chief of Staff at the Office of Unified Communications Early experiences and powerful calls that shaped her public safety career Major differences in ca...

Ep 626 features Jim Schmidt, father of Gabby Petito, first responder, and secretary of the Gabby Petito Foundation. This is a special crossover episode with the Safety Gap podcast where I was a guest co-host with Karin Marquez, Chief Public Safety Brand Officer with RapidSOS. Learn more about the Gabby Petito Foundation and find resources at https://gabbypetitofoundation.org . If you or someone yo...