The people in your neighborhood...Public Safety Dispatcher

For the first interview in this line of posts, I interviewed public safety dispatcher (A.K.A. 911 Operator) Wendy Gebicke. I have known Wendy for about 4 years and really like her insights into the job. She is an interresting person who has a GREAT deal of patience on the job. For those who don't know, Public Safety Dispatchers are the first line in dealing with emergencies and often have to help calm and sort through the problems of both hostile and hysterical callers.

It takes a very special person to be a successful Public Safety Dispatcher. I have seen several people try their hand at the job and quit soon thereafter. They have a very hectic job and are constantly juggling information.

Chico Blue Review (CBR): How long have you been a public safety dispatcher?

PSD Gebicke: 15 years.

CBR: What does your typical day entail?

PSD Gebicke: Answering 911 & business calls. Dispatching fire & police calls on the radio.

CBR: What type of calls do you take in a day?

PSD Gebicke: Shootings, stabbings, robberies, assaults, brandishing weapons calls, domestic violence, fights, dui's, stolen vehicles, welfare checks...the list goes on.

CBR: What type of training do you have to take part in to become a PSD?

PSD Gebicke: 3 weeks of schooling but the most important training is on the job & that can take years. I still learn something new almost every day.

CBR: What type of personality does it take to be a successful PSD?

PSD Gebicke: I think first and foremost you have to want to help people. That is really what this job is all about. You have to keep a good attitude and try to treat people like you would want to be treated.

CBR: What was one of the funniest 911 calls you've taken?

PSD Gebicke: Just recently, I took a call where the male caller thought "wildlife" was after him. I asked what kind of wildlife "bears, coyotes, deer?" Due to his intoxicated state, he couldn't understand WHAT it was that was after him. His roommate then got on the phone and said he had seen a raccoon in their yard & was concerned for his safety...

CBR: What is one of the most annoying reasons people call 911 for?

PSD Gebicke: Noise complaints. People need to understand that 911 is for life-threatening emergencies.

CBR: Are there any calls that stick with you, and why?

PSD Gebicke: Anything to do with children is hard. I think it is sometimes hard to be a dispatcher in general, because we never hear what happens as the end result. We are helping people with what is probably one of the worst days of their lives. We send help to them but rarely ever hear what happened at the end of that call.

CBR: What other responsibilities do you have at the Chico Police Department?

PSD Gebicke: I am also a tactical assistant on the SWAT team. I help the lieutenant run the command post on most critical incidents. As a tactical assistant I am responsible for all radio traffic between the SWAT team & the command post. I am also responsible for mapping the area, keeping track of the officers locations and making sure the communications are clear, consise & understood.

CBR: Is there anything you would like the public to know about being a PSD?

PSD Gebicke: One of the biggest misconceptions that people on the other side of the phone have is that if they are answering our questions, it is somehow delaying a response to their problem. This is not true. The person talking to them on the phone has given the call over the person who is dispatching it on the radio. This is all happening while we are asking you questions. So...answer our questions, it helps us to help you. Remember we are human too and are doing our best to help you.