LISTEN TO EMPATHIZE

As a dispatcher, I believe that public safety telecommunicators have two superpowers: listening and empathy. Empathy is a critical human skill that a lot of people lack. Not only does it allow us to create connections with others, but it also allows us to treat each call with the same amount of care and consideration. However, we wouldn’t be able to show empathy if we couldn’t listen to the callers and their problems in the first place. This is very useful because it enables us to treat each other and each caller with respect for what is going on at that moment. When it comes down to it, being empathetic and listening to what others have to say truly can save a life both personally and professionally.