Looking past the smile

Today while trolling Facebook I saw a status on a friends page. It struck me.

 

Just something to think about...Did you know the people that are the strongest are usually the most sensitive? Did you know the people who exhibit the most kindness are the first to get mistreated? Did you know the one who takes care of others all the time are usually the ones who need it the most? Did you know the 3 hardest things to say are I love you, I'm sorry, and Help me. Sometimes just because a person looks happy, you have to look past their smile and see how much pain they may be in.

 

 

WOW. Did you feel that? I felt it, It rocked me.

 

I know it is geared towards personal lives, however when I read this I think of the positive dispatcher that is dragged down into misery in a negative environment.

 

We often become so tied up in our own lives and drama's we forget to look around us and see the others out there. While we worry over minimal or trivial details in our lives someone is being mistreated or are in need of a shoulder. This applies to not only our personal lives but our work lives as well. Our co-workers are our Emergency Services Family. I know, I know there are a few people we would rather not have to deal with. However just like in your personal family there is always that one person that always challenges everyone's patience. You don't have to love them, but they are still part of that family.

 

What do you do? How do you ensure that you are there for that person? Are you the person always looking to bring the positive into the light? Reaching out to help or being part of the problem?

 

Today is the day to think about it. Cast off selfishness, everyone has that side. Some just have a bigger issue with it than others.

 

What can you do? It's the little things that can change the world!

 Make eye contact and smile.

Be that shoulder.

Come to the defense of someone that needs you at their back.

Compliment and lift others in a positive way when it is deserved.

Let them know you see them and you care.

 

Most of all, be that positive force that we often are missing in the communications center. Set the example. Do not let the negative, burn out, nellies set the tone. Break the silence and the routine.

It is going to be a fight? You are damn right it is! It is all worth it in the end.

 A happy, positive team can make all the difference in recovering from the devastating effects our job can have on us. Learn to recognize burn out and find ways to defeat it. Not only in yourself but your work family as well.

 

Positivity & Negativity are contagious. Which one do you want to spread?

 

 

 



Just a Disptatcher?

Excuse me!?!?

Today I got an inbox message from a fan. The things she wrote about really hurt my heart for her. She works in a PSAP that has dispatchers separated from call takers. It got me thinking. The more I thought the more offended I was for her.

I work in a 911 center that requires all employees to do it all. We answer incoming emergency and non emergency phone lines while manning our dispatch consoles. There is a small exception to this rule, the busiest law consoles are not required to answer the phones. We are all cross trained for Law, Fire and EMS and take our turns rotating thru all of the consoles.

In her note to me she writes how she would like to be able to wear Mad Dispatcher Gear. She says that if she wore a shirt that had the word Dispatcher on it to work, the “real dispatchers” would make unfriendly comments about it. She tells me that she is proud of the job that she does but is reminded by the dispatchers that she “is just an operator”

WAIT JUST A COTTON PICKIN MINUTE!!!!!!!!!

JUST an Operator!!!!

I think my head might just Explode!

We are NEVER ever JUST an anything!

Every one of us provides a vital part of Emergency communications. The  Call taker that gathers vital information for the dispatchers/responding units, provides calm and control to her callers on scene, pre arrival medical instructions & so much more. To the dispatcher that sends out the Officers, Medics and Firefighters keeping them informed, safe & so much more.

I know if any of the units I dispatch were to tell me I was “just a Dispatcher”  my head would implode.

I am willing to bet these “real Dispatchers” would blow a frackin’ gasket if one of their units called them “just a dispatcher” , they should extend the same courtesy  they expect to the people they work with as well. For shame on them!!

With this in mind, never fear call takers! There will be a shirt designed just for you. You are a vital link in communications and a lifeline. Never JUST an anything!!!  

Racism is alive and well in America

Never throw stones if you live in a glass house

By Definition:

rac·ism

[rey-siz-uhm] Show IPA

noun

1.

a belief or doctrine that inherent differences among the various human races determine cultural or individual achievement, usually involving the idea that one's own race is superior and has the right to rule others.

2.

a policy, system of government, etc., based upon or fostering such a doctrine; discrimination.

3.

hatred or intolerance of another race or other races.

Origin:
1865–70;  < French racisme.  See race² , -ism

Related forms

rac·ist, noun, adjective

an·ti·ra·cism, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013. 

in·tol·er·ance

[in-tol-er-uhns] Show IPA

noun

1.

lack of toleration; unwillingness or refusal to tolerate or respect contrary opinions or beliefs, persons of different races or backgrounds, etc.

2.

incapacity or indisposition to bear or endure: intolerance to heat.

3.

abnormal sensitivity or allergy to a food, drug, etc.

4.

an intolerant act.

Origin:
1755–65;  < Latin intolerantia.  See intolerant, -ance

Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.  

To me a Racist is anyone intolerant of another groups race, religion, beliefs, culture, sex, Etc.

Someone who believes their race or culture is superior to any other, or someone who makes crude remarks to anothers race or insults them because of their culture. 

Yesterday I changed my profile picture to an Equality sign in honor of the many friends that I have that live an alternative lifestyle.

I did this on my personal page as well as the Diary of a Mad Dispatcher Facebook page. I did not post any political or religious rant. I simply changed a photo, didn't even add a caption. FOR SHAME on the people that took it upon themselves to send me rude emails, posted derogatory statements on the page wall or hateful comments in the comment feeds on posts. 

I do not care what color your skin is, your sexual preference, what religion you are or if you don't believe in religion. How you live your life is your business.

How DARE you hide behind the mantel of religion and cast stones! Your a good christian woman you say? Well let me tell you when I read the Bible I remember learning compassion for others, I remember learning that he who has not sinned should cast the first stone, I learned that no one is perfect including you or me.

If I am racist against anyone it is those people. The ones who use religion as a shield, Westboro Baptist Church comes to mind when I think of these kind of people. The Bible is simple. Be honest. Be respectful. Be compassionate.  Do not hurt others. Share your bounty. Most of all love one another, unconditionally.

To those of you that are intolerant of people with a sexuality you do not approve of my wish for you is to learn tolerance. I hope when your son, your daughter, your sister, your God son, your grandchild or any other person in your life that holds your heart comes to you and tells you they are Gay that you do not cut your nose off to spite your face. 

Facebook is social media. It is not work, or church, or home. My opinion or the opinions of my admins need not be restricted because we have freedom of speech as Americans. You do not have to like what I post, you do not have to like me and it is your right to unlike my page if my opinion on this matter offends you. If you choose to leave the page good riddance because people like that are a drain on society and honestly just exhausting on the soul. 

John 8
1 Jesus went unto the mount of Olives. 2 And early in the morning he came again into the temple, and all the people came unto him; and he sat down, and taught them. 3 And the scribes and Pharisees brought unto him a woman taken in adultery; and when they had set her in the midst, 4 They say unto him, Master, this woman was taken in adultery, in the very act. 5 Now Moses in the law commanded us, that such should be stoned: but what sayest thou? 6 This they said, tempting him, that they might have to accuse him. But Jesus stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground, as though he heard them not. 7 So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her. 8 And again he stooped down, and wrote on the ground. 9 And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst. 10 When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee? 11 She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.

The Sunday Yummy

Oreo Peanut Butter Brownie,
 Oh MY!

 

 

1 box of your favorite box brownie mix

24 Oreo cookies

1/2 cup creamy peanut butter

 

 

Preheat oven to 350. Line a 12 muffin cup baking pan with cupcake liners.

 

Prepare brownie mix according to package directions.

 

For each brownie spread 1 teaspoon of peanut butter over 2 Oreo cookies and stack them on top of each other in the cupcake liner.

 Spoon 2 Tablespoons of the brownie batter over each  stack of Oreos, letting it run down the sides of the cookie stacks.

 Bake 18 to 20 minutes, until brownies are cooked through.

Cool, Serve & ENJOY!

 

 

Who knew simple could be so damn delicious!?!?!?

 

 



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Diary Of A Mad Dispatcher

Santa BOLO

Central to all units.......

BOLO

  for a suspicious vehicle last seen in our county 10 minutes ago 

landing & taking off from rooftops. 

Vehicle is a candy apple red, 9-reindeer powered sleigh with white pinstripes 

& white leather tuck & roll seats.

Personalized license plate of NOEL1, November Oscar Echo Lima One.
The lead reindeer has a red strobe on his nose &

Jingle bells on his harness.

Driver is an elderly white male, 

*very* heavy build with a belly that shakes like a bowl full of jelly.

Last seen wearing a red suit with white fur trim, 

a red pointy hat with white fur trim, 

wide black belt, & black boots. 

Subject has a full white beard, chubby red cheeks 

& a mischievious smile. 

There are several little people riding in the sleigh,

 last seen wearing tiny green suits with pointy
toed green slippers. 

The sleigh is packed full with red sacks stuffed with unknown items.

Last seen taking flight in New Hanover County.
Possibly northbound into Pender County at this time.
Subject's parting words were, "HO HO HO Merry Christmas to all,

 and to all, a good night."

 If located, North Pole PD and children everywhere are requesting that he be sent on his way, 

for he has good will and gifts to spread throughout the land. 

The Sunday Yummy

Chocolate Peppermint Trifle

 A simple no bake Christmas yummy.

I love love love anything peppermint and chocolate. 

Enjoy!

Cake: 

Store bought chocolate pound cake cut in to 1 inch cubes

Chocolate filling: 

1 (3.9 oz) package instant Chocolate pudding

1 1/2 cups whole milk
1 1/2 cups heavy cream
Peppermint baking chips

Whipped Cream:  

2 cups heavy cream
2 tablespoons powdered sugar

For garnish:
2 Peppermint candy, crushed
1 tablespoon semi-sweet baking chocolate, shaved

Directions:

Whip chocolate pudding mix with milk until soft set.

In a second bowl whip cream until it is in soft peaks.

Fold cream into the pudding until incorporated.

Fold in the peppermint chips to the mixture.

In a separate bowl, whip cream and powdered sugar until soft peaks form. 

 Assembly:

Line the bottom of the trifle bowl with 1/3 of the cake cubes

Add 1/2 of the pudding mixture 

Add 1/3 of the whipped cream 

2nd layer in the same pattern 

Add the last of the cake cubes

Final layer is the remaining layer of whipped cream 

Then garnish with the crushed mints and shaved chocolate