Under the Headset : Surviving Dispatcher Stress [Spiral-bound]

Richard Behr (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 1, 2000

"Under the Headset: Surviving Dispatcher Stress" is a book about the stress of being a dispatcher. Written by a dispatcher and a critical incident stress instructor, it includes information about the stress process, identifying stressors, and coping with stress. The book also includes sections on humor and inspiration. Stories of survival, written by dispatchers who have lived through the stress of critical incidents, are provided.

Editorial Reviews

From the Author

As dispatchers, we make a difference in peoples lives everyday. We make decisions that affect people in ways that, sometimes, they don't realize, let alone us making that realization. We take peoples stress and grief and carry it around with us with little or no outlet for release. The purpose of this book is to let you know that you don't have to carry around that burden. We give you some ways to cope with stress, some techniques to help alleviate stress and some guidelines to help you help yourself. If it were possible to wave the magic wand and make the stresses of the job go away, our lives would be much more simple. The information given is a compilation of several sources. Put it in your "dispatcher toolbox" and use your tools often. Not every tool is going to work for every person and situation. It's up to you to utilize whatever tools gets the job done for you. Find out what works and what doesn't; search for other tools to use or invent your own tools. We may not be in control of the events that occur in our lives, but we can be in control of our reactions to those events. World renown author on the stress and grieving process, Elisabeth Kubler-Ross, has a wonderful quote that I think applies to dispatchers; "People are like stained-glass windows. They sparkle and shine when the light is out, but when the darkness sets in, their true beauty is revealed only if there is a light from within." We make a difference every day in other people's lives. Make a difference in yours and take care of you and keep that light within you bright when the outside appears dark.

About the Author

Richard Behr has been in public safety for over 27 years. After a stint in the U.S. Navy as a photographer, his first job was with a private ambulance service. Richard then switched careers to become a firefighter. After 13 years he became a public safety dispatcher. During his career, Richard has received numerous commendations, letters of appreciation and has received his agency's Meritorious Service Medal and Medal of Bravery. He is a Member with Diplomate status of The American Academy of Experts in Traumatic Stress, is a Board Certified Expert in Traumatic Stress and is Board Certified in Emergency Crisis Response. He is a senior instructor for Public Safety Training Consultants, holds the position of adjunct instructor with Riverside Community College (CA) and teaches at Riverside County (CA) Sheriff's Department Ben Clark Training Center. He is Past Secretary and currently is the Vice President of Riverside County Law Enforcement Trainers Association (CA). Richard has been a presenter for several conferences around the country, including Associated Public Safety Officials (APCO) International and Regional Conferences and National Emergency Number Association (NENA) conferences. As a founding member of a critical incident stress debriefing (CISD) team, he has taught hundreds of dispatchers about the effects stress has on their job performance and personal lives.

Product Details

• Spiral-bound: 116 pages
• Publisher: Staggs Publishing (March 1, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0966197046
• ISBN-13: 978-0966197044
• Product Dimensions: 8.6 x 5.8 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #769,737 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A book EVERY 911 professional should own, April 9, 2000

By 

Kevin Willett (California) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Under the Headset : Surviving Dispatcher Stress (Spiral-bound)

Richard has hit the factual, emotional, humorous and sincerity bullseye with "Under the Headset". His combination of real life experience and dedication to Critical Incident Stress Management for dispatchers are admirable and appreciated. If you are a 911 dispatcher, first responder, private sector dispatcher or communications supervisor; you owe it to yourself and your staff to read this fast paced and easy read. Richard's writing style is from the heart but packed with usable tools we can all use. This would also be a GREAT resource and peek into the 911 dispatch profession for police, fire and EMS Administrators and Chiefs. I hope you enjoy the book as much as I did. For more information on Richard, please feel free to visit www.pstc911.com or the 911 console list server. Those in the profession are raving about this fine author, dispatcher and friend to the profession! GREAT JOB RICHARD!

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Tales from the Trenches, June 17, 2000

By 

David L. Larton "DLarton" (Morgan Hill, CA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Under the Headset : Surviving Dispatcher Stress (Spiral-bound)

Very little has been written over the years about the stresses of being a public safety telecommunicator. Richard Behr has brought his years of expertise as a 9-1-1 dispatcher, and his own personal experiences as a victim of critical incident stress, to the dispatching community in this exciting new book. Richard examines the forces that can lead dispatchers to become stressed, factors that cause dispatchers to leave the career early, and gives suggestions in coping strategies that will assist dispatchers at home as well as at work. Richard writes from the heart in a way that only someone who truly has 'been there' can possibly know. You'll laugh at some of his stories, while others may very well bring a tear to your eye. This is a book that should be read by every first responder, and kept in every 9-1-1 dispatch center. A great work; I'm looking forward to his next book!

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Richard is an inspiration, March 25, 2004

By 

LISA BAHR (ELDORA, IOWA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Under the Headset : Surviving Dispatcher Stress (Spiral-bound)

I met Richard at a meeting in Iowa and became an instant fan of his work. He sat with me and listened to me (a stranger) talk about life in general and gave me some wonderful advice at a time in my life when I needed to talk to someone who had been "in my shoes." Richard is very inspiring and so is his book. Since I got an autographed book from him, I have read it over & over again and find myself smiling, nodding, and thinking, "Yep, that's exactly how I feel or felt!" There are many wonderful poems and stories in this book that relate to everyone's life at some point or another. Richard's book always makes me happy and is a great pick me up when I feel like I am "Just a dispatcher." I would reccomend it for anyone!