Within the Trenches

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...

Ep 625 features Phillip Daniels, a 911 Administrator, and Deputy Chief of Desoto Parish Sheriff's Office in Louisiana. Sponsored by INdigital - Facebook | LinkedIn | X | Web Episode topics – How Philip transitioned from working in an alligator farm to a lasting career in public safety The challenges and surprises faced when moving from patrol to dispatch Stories of real-life trauma, resilience, an...

Ep 624 features Victoria, a 911 professional out of Texas. Sponsored by INdigital - Facebook | LinkedIn | X | Web Episode topics – Navigating the massive APCO conference and its unique vendor hall experiences, including the mobile dispatch center "Thor" and wellness puppies Victoria's journey from loss prevention to 9-1-1 dispatch and her first intense calls, including a tornado emergency and a de...

Ep 623 features Mandi, a 911 professional out of Texas. Sponsored by INdigital - Facebook | LinkedIn | X | Web Episode topics – Mandi's journey from a small Texas town to nearly 25 years in public safety, including jumping into dispatch right out of high school The challenges of moving from a tiny agency to a much larger city call center Honest discussion about early on-the-job "training" and the...

Ep 622 features Jennifer, a 911 professional and Coordinator out of Texas. Sponsored by INdigital - Facebook | LinkedIn | Twitter | Web Episode topics – Jennifer's first ever experience at a national public safety conference and her takeaways The value of networking, vendor halls, and unexpected wellness moments (like puppy therapy!) Transitioning from the military to dispatch, and what it's like...

Ep 621 features Brianna, a 911 professional out of Pennsylvania. Episode topics – Brianna's unconventional start in public safety and how an EMT background led to a dispatch career Behind-the-scenes of dispatcher training, early challenges, and handling life-or-death calls Discussion of high-stress incidents, including a hostage situation that blurred the line between hoax and reality The evolving...

Ep 620 features Heidi, a 911 professional with Anoka County ECC out of Minnesota. Sponsored by INdigital - Facebook | LinkedIn | Twitter | Web Episode topics – The realities and challenges of starting a career in 911 dispatch decades ago How conference networking and volunteering can impact your career and growth The drastic changes in technology from paper logs to AI-assisted call management The...

Ep 619 features Charles, a 911 professional and CTO at NVRDD, Massachusetts. Sponsored by INdigital - Facebook | LinkedIn | Twitter | Web Episode topics – Charles' path from chef and EMT to emergency dispatcher Translating soft skills and multitasking from the kitchen to the comms center The intensity and training required to handle life-and-death calls Handling emotional impact, tough calls, and...

Ep 618 features Morgan, an Education Manager for Pafford Emergency Medical Services out of Mississippi. Sponsored by INdigital - Facebook | LinkedIn | Twitter | Web Episode topics – How Morgan's early experiences shaped her passion for EMS and dispatch The realities of dispatcher training, including unforgettable first calls The importance of mentorship and building a supportive team culture Deali...

Ep 617 features Hayleigh, a 911 professional with NWECC out of Texas. Sponsored by INdigital - Facebook | LinkedIn | Twitter | Web Episode topics – Transitioning from the car business to emergency dispatch after a personal tragedy Navigating the overwhelm and training process as a complete newcomer First experiences on the dispatch floor, from multi-screen chaos to working holidays The realities o...

Ep 616 features Sydney, a 911 professional with NWECC out of Texas. Sponsored by INdigital - Facebook | LinkedIn | Twitter | Web Episode topics – Why Texas heat makes summer calls to 911 so unpredictable What it's really like starting a dispatch career with zero experience How intense calls, like suicide attempts and high-speed pursuits, shape dispatchers on the job The mental and emotional hurdle...

Ep 615 features Chief Manoushagian of NWECC in Texas. Sponsored by INdigital - Facebook | LinkedIn | Twitter | Web Episode topics – Chief Manoushagian's start in public safety as a dispatcher and his early struggles The transition from dispatch to police officer and the impact of military service Learning from failure and the importance of resilience in emergency communications Building stronger r...

Ep 614 features Karla, a Center Manager with Chagrin Valley 911 Dispatch out of Ohio. Sponsored by INdigital - Facebook | LinkedIn | Twitter | Web Episode topics – The history and eerie reputation of the Chagrin Valley Dispatch complex Karla's accidental entry into public safety and how her hairstylist background helps on the job True stories from Karla's early days at a single-seat dispatch cente...

Ep 613 features Jen, a Quality Assurance and Training Manager with Chagrin Valley 911 Dispatch out of Ohio. Sponsored by INdigital - Facebook | LinkedIn | Twitter | Web Episode topics – Jen's path from criminal justice student to finding a lasting career in dispatch. The highs and lows of dispatcher training, including tough trainers and the importance of mentorship. Real stories about adapting to...

Ep 612 features Lani, a CTO and 911 professional with Round Rock PD, TX. Sponsored by INdigital - Facebook | LinkedIn | Twitter | Web Episode topics – Lani's unique journey from caring for police K9s to answering life-changing emergency calls The biggest challenges and lessons of 911 call taker training How previous customer service experience prepped Lani for high-stress calls Personal stories fr...

Ep 611 features Emma, a 911 professional with Henderson County Sheriff's Office out of NC. Sponsored by INdigital - Facebook | LinkedIn | Twitter | Web Episode topics – Emma's deep-rooted family history in law enforcement and public safety Honest reflections on the challenges and unique support of being raised in a first responder household Transitioning from a paramedic dream to a career in dispa...