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Friday, December 21, 2012
Thursday, December 20, 2012
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 &
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.
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,
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.
Sunday, December 16, 2012
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
1 1/2 cups heavy cream
Peppermint baking chips
Whipped Cream:
2 cups heavy cream
2 tablespoons powdered sugar
2 tablespoons powdered sugar
For garnish:
2 Peppermint candy, crushed
1 tablespoon semi-sweet baking chocolate, shaved
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
Friday, December 14, 2012
It's begining to look a lot like Christmas
Christmas Explosion!
Crafts! Baking! Traditions!
Where has Pinterest been all my life??
I want to do ALL of these!
These are just a few of the things I want to do! Oh to have an unlimited budget and all the time in the world at Christmas!!
Happy Pinning!
Wednesday, December 5, 2012
Random acts of Christmas kindness
Tis' the Season of Giving
Welcome to the Christmas Season (yes I said Christmas!)
This time of year we all fall victim to the hustle and bustle of the season. Between family life, Work, decorating, shopping, baking etc. Sometimes we lose sight of what this season is all about. It is the season of giving, giving to others.
I am a big supporter of Toys for Tots, every year I watch with pride as my children and others approach those large barrels to drop in their contribution. I always keep change handy in my purse or car for the Salvation Army bell ringers. I really think it is important for children to learn charity at a young age and from example.
I have decided this year to do things a little differently. This year I am also challenging you, yes you! My friends, My family, My coworkers, My Emergency Services family to do things differently as well. This year I want to participate in random acts of Christmas kindness. I searched the internet and found so many excellent suggestions! I know the economy sucks and times are tight, lots of these suggestions cost no more than a sheet of paper.
I am going to list several that I would love to accomplish . Please join me in brightening the day of others. It can be anyone, you will find a smile is well worth the effort.
Please add your suggestions or stories of success! I know we would all love to hear how you passed out smiles to your community!
Donate blankets to the local animal shelter
Sunday, December 2, 2012
The Sunday Yummy
Nutty Caramel Brownies
1 (12 oz) Package semisweet chocolate morsels
1 Packaged brownie mix (ingredients to make cake like brownies)
3 Eggs
Vegetable oil
Water
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
1 cup salted mixed nuts, chopped
40 Rolos chocolates
Vanilla ice cream
Heat oven to 375 degrees
Lightly grease an 11x15 cookie sheet
Chop 1 1/2 cups of chocolate morsels
In a bowl combine the brownie mix, water, oil & eggs as directed on the box. Add 1/4 cup of the brown sugar and mix well.
Fold in the chopped chocolate morsels and pour batter into the pan spreading evenly.
Chop nuts and combine half of the nuts with the remaining 1/2 cup of brown sugar, sprinkle evenly over the brownie batter.
Bake 20-25 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean
Cut 16 of the Rolos into quarters
Place the remaining 1/2 cup of chocolate morsels in a microwave safe bowl and microwave on high for 1 minute or until melted, stirring every 20 seconds.
Spoon the melted chocolate into a resealable baggie and set aside.
Remove the brownies from the oven and immediately press the remaining Rolos into the brownies in 4 rows of 6 caramels each.
Sprinkle quartered caramels and chopped nuts over the brownies.
Cut into squares and serve with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
Enjoy!
Sunday, November 18, 2012
The Sunday Yummy
Chicken & Spinach Pasta Bake
We had this at work this week. It was simple to make, smelled AMAZING while it was baking, was very filling and easy to consume while working a busy radio console!
- 8 oz uncooked rigatoni
- 1 T olive oil
- 1 c chopped onion
- 1 (10 oz) pack frozen spinach, thawed
- 4 cubed, cooked chicken breasts
- 1 (14 oz) can Italian-style diced tomatoes, undrained
- 1 (8 oz) container Philadelphia chive & onion cream cheese, room temp
- ½ t salt, ½ t pepper
- 3 c shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 c shredded parmesan cheese
- ½ c panko bread crumbs
- 2 tbs butter
Combine the mozzarella & parmesan cheese together
Drain chopped thawed spinach well, pressing between paper towels. Stir in rigatoni, spinach, chicken, half of the cheese mixture & next 4 ingredients into onion in bowl. Spoon mixture into dish & sprinkle evenly with the rest of the shredded cheese.
Melt the butter in the microwave and then combine with the bread crumbs. Sprinkle evenly.
Bake at 375 for 40 minutes or until bubbly.
Tuesday, November 13, 2012
Panic 911
This is a new show that premieres November 29th on A&E at 10pm.
Reading the reviews people are already mad about the show and haven't even watched it yet. They think it is to real and people do not want to live out the trauma of others 911 calls. I however look forward to seeing how 911 dispatchers are displayed in this true life series. Maybe for once we will be seen as the behind the scenes hero's we really are.
Sunday, November 4, 2012
The Sunday Yummy
Chocolate Eclair
No bake dessert that is a crowd favorite!
No bake dessert that is a crowd favorite!
Chocolate Eclair Dessert
Source: My Mother-in-Law
Filling:
2 (3.5 oz.) boxes vanilla instant pudding
3 c. milk
1 (12 oz.) container Cool Whip
Graham crackers
Topping:
1/3 c. cocoa
1 c. sugar
1/4 c. milk
1 stick butter (or margarine)
1 tsp. vanilla
For the filling: Mix pudding and milk; beat. Stir in Cool Whip. Place a
layer of graham crackers in the bottom of a 9x13" dish. Spread 1/2 of
the pudding mixture over the graham crackers. Repeat with another layer
of graham crackers and pudding; then top with a final layer of graham
crackers.
For the topping: Bring cocoa, milk, and sugar to a boil; boil about 1
minute, stirring very frequently. Remove from heat and cool one minute.
Add butter and vanilla; stir until butter is melted. Pour over the top
layer of graham crackers. Refrigerate over night.
Saturday, November 3, 2012
Have you stopped loving your job?
FEATURED IN TECHNOLOGY AND COMMUNICATIONS
Do you still love your job? While you’re getting ready to start your shift, do you still look forward to what your day may bring you? For you seasoned folks, do you even remember the feeling of putting on the uniform for the first time? You may have prepared everything the night before your first day—pressing the creases just right, putting on and polishing your collar brass, packing your lunch or dinner the night before and making sure you had a clean notebook to take notes during your training.
Or maybe you’re dreading your alarm going off—hitting the snooze button just one more time. Do you have to talk yourself through getting ready to go to work every shift? Are you racing out the door to relieve your coworker just before being late for duty? Does the sound of ringing phones, alert tones and sirens send you over the edge? Have you stopped smiling? Have you stopped loving your job?
If you’ve stopped loving your job, it’s important to get to the root of the cause. Was it politics, management, policy changes, staffing, coworkers, the public or maybe a combination of them all? Have you become so hardened that you’ve stopped caring about the people you serve? Or maybe you’ve even stopped caring about the folks that you work with. Has the job outgrown you? Has the technology left you behind with your pencil and notepad feeling like an antiquated dinosaur while the new “kid” comes in, typing up calls for service at the same time as texting, Facebooking and updating their Twitter account seemingly? Have you become that grumpy, grouchy, old timer that used to scare the daylights out of you every time you came to work “back in the day?” You know the one—the field unit that worked the road before there were cell phones, laptops and GPS. The one you swore you’d never turn into.
Don’t get me wrong—I’ve been in public safety for more years than I care to admit. Trainees are starting to get younger and younger. The other day, I quoted something from the t.v. show Hee Haw and two thirds of my shift mates looked at me like I was speaking in tongues. When did I become the oldest one of the shift? One good thing: I’ve noticed as a trainer that the younger generation seems to be easier to train because the technology doesn’t scare them.
We all have days that make us want to hang up our handcuffs or headsets. The problem occurs when the feeling never goes away. I’ve worked with some miserable people in my day and let me tell you that sometimes I just want to strangle them with my phone cord! I beg of you, if you’ve gotten to a place in your career where you’ve lost the spark and energy that pushed you to apply in the first place, please—please—please look for another line of work!
Public safety is something that can’t be done mediocre. My husband is a deputy, my friends and colleagues are deputies, officers and firefighters. How do you explain to someone that you weren’t doing your job to the fullest of your ability because you lacked motivation? The public and your coworkers expect that you’re on top of your game—their lives depend on it. If the crappy part of our job—i.e., the media, lack of manpower, lack of appreciation, lack of meritocratic pay, etc.—keeps you from doing the best that you can do, please consider that this isn’t the career for you.
I know this is easier said than done for those who need an income to survive. But is your paycheck worth someone else’s life? If you need a change, think of the things that can get you to where you want to be. Maybe you want to stay in the public safety field. Does you department pay tuition reimbursement? Is there training at your department that you can take advantage of that might prepare you for a different position? Has your attitude kept you from transferring to another division? Think about ways to change that attitude. No one is going to hire or transfer what’s considered a “problem” employee to another division. And don’t think managers and supervisors don’t share that kind of information—they do. Does your department have a gym that you have access to? Run or walk off that bad attitude on your break or after your shift. Be part of the solution to some of the problems you may see. Get involved without expecting anything in return. Volunteer to help out on small projects. If you’ve been at your department for a while, I’m sure you have good experience that you can share. Keep up on trends in the industry. There are tons of free publications on the Internet that can keep you informed on the latest and greatest things that are happening in our industry.
Remind yourself that a bad attitude and poor morale is highly contagious. Do you really want to be the one that’s known for bringing your whole shift down? Think about why you started in the public safety field in the first place. Did you want to serve your community in a significant way? Did you want to help be a part of something bigger than yourself? Public safety professionals are the best of the best! We can accomplish things that look absolutely impossible on paper. We’re the only ones who run toward a problem when everyone else is running away.
I remember reading a newspaper article long ago stating something to the effect that only two percent of the nation’s population could work as a 911 telecommunicator. At the time, I worked at a small but exceptionally busy police department. We often worked shorthanded and basically did the best we could under the circumstances. One particularly challenging night my shift mate Lisa Lewis (Little Lisa as she is affectionately nicknamed due to her small stature) and I were running nonstop between the phones and radio, and just when I thought we had reached our limit, I called out, “Hey Lisa!” She glanced over at me with a "this-better-be-important" look. “We are the top two percent, sister!” She smiled and never stopped typing.
What we do is extremely important—monumental even. Not just to me and the rest of your public safety family, but to those you serve every day. Try to remember why you’re here and that you’re the only one who can let yourself have a bad attitude.
Stay safe, my family.
Thursday, August 16, 2012
Wednesday, June 6, 2012
Saturday, May 5, 2012
Show a little respect, it goes a long way.
Extreme Dispatcher according to Urbandictionary.com
Emergency Dispatcher with remarkable ability to foresee the needs of their field units and provide all angles of support to ensure the safest and most informed outcome to the incident. These Dispatchers absorb stress easily and return with hardcore commitment to getting the job done with the least amount of investigation. Only the most Extreme Dispatchers use every available resource to relieve field units of distraction from the events unfolding before them. Technically savvy and street smart they have insight from hard lessons learned from mistakes in the past They overcome every obstacle placed before them making split decisions on anything from traffic cones to armed disturbances. Perceived by many as civilians, button pushers and clerical workers they type like their hands are on fire , converse calmly, disseminate and take dictation while admist the worst situations. On the job training upholds most of their innate capabilities but the real core of their ability is their ever giving hearts.
With this being defined let me get on my Soap Box for just a few moments. Almost all of the Ladies and Gents in law enforcement that I work with are an amazing crew of people. They understand professional courtesy and take care of us dispatchers like we are part of the family, because like it or not, we are. Your dispatcher is your life line. They control your meal breaks, Late calls and Just how many reports you can write in a day. Insulting, being rude to and discounting your dispatcher are becoming all too common lately. The level of our "above and beyond" for you has the same limits yours has for us. So when you treat us like we are beneath you do not be upset when you are treated the same in return.
Just remember
You may know where you are and what you're doing,
And God may know where you are and what you're doing.
But if your dispatcher doesn't know where you are and what you're doing,
Then I hope you and God are on very good terms.
Thursday, February 16, 2012
And God Created Dispatchers........
The Angel Walked In And Found The Lord Walking Around
In A Small Circle Muttering To Himself.
"what Are You Working On Now, Lord?" Asked The Angel.
"well , I Finished Creating A Peace Officer , Now I'm
Working On A Dispatcher."
Since The Angel Could See Nothing In The Room, He Asked
God To Tell Him About It.
"it's Somewhat Like The Police Officer Model. It Has Five Hands; One For Answering The Phone, Two For Typing, One For Answering The Radio And One For Grabbing A Cup Of Coffee."
"the Arms Had To Be Placed Carefully Since All The Tasks A Dispatcher Does Have To Be Performed Simultaneously."
"the Digestive System Is A Little Complicated. It Runs On Coffee, Vending Machine Food And Food That Can Be Delivered."
"i Made The Skin Tempered Duralite Covered Teflon. A Dispatcher's Skin Has To Be Tough Enough To Withstand Darts From Cranky Officers, Jabs From Citizens And Lack Of Attention From Administration."
"unlike A Police Officer, It Only Needs One Pair Of Eyes. That Leaves Extra Room For All The Ears It Needs. There Are Five Sets Of Ears; One For The Telephone , One For The Main Radio, Two For The Other Radios That Need To Be Monitored And The Last Pair To Hear Everything Else Going On Around It."
"all The Ears Fit Right Into The Head Which Has To Also Fit A Brain Capable Of;
Remembering A Full Set Of Ten And Signal Codes, Elements Of Crimes, Criminal Vs. Civil, Phonetic Alphabet, How To Handle Every Imaginable Type Of Call, Hundreds Of Voices, The Contents Of 3 Sop Manuals, Two Teletype Manuals, An Ncic Code Book, The Individual Quirks Of Each Lieutenant, Sergeant, Officer, Watch Commander And Supervisor."
"there Also Has To Be Room For It To Make A Decision, In 10 Seconds Or Less, On The Appropriate Way To Handle A Situation And The Appropriate Units To Send, While Talking On The Radio, Running Checks And Helping The Citizen At The Window."
" The Dispatcher Must Have An Abundance Of Patience. I've Made The Patience Center Extra Large And Added Three Fuses To Handle The Overload."
"there Are Overload Switches For Emotions. Its Heart Must Not Break When It Talks To A Mother Whose Child Has Just Died. It Has To Talk To A Rape Victim And Show Empathy, A Suicidal Person And Show Calmness And Reassurance And An Abusive Drunk Without Getting Angry. When One Of The Officers Yells For Help, It Can't Panic. There Is A Soft Spot For Frightened Children, Abandoned Or Hurt Animals And Little Old Ladies Who Are Lonely And Just Need To Talk To Someone."
The Angel Looked Around And Said "the Dispatcher Sounds Wonderful, Lord. Where Is This Amazing Creation?"
"well You See,"answered The Lord, "dispatchers Are Invisible Unless They Make A Mistake. Now That I Have Created One, I Can't See The Original Model To Make Enough Of Them To Go Around."
----------author Unknown
Monday, February 6, 2012
Everyone needs a little bit of sunshine
There are some simple things in life that we forget to do. With all the hustle and bustle of everyday life sometimes we forget to stop and smell the roses. When was the last time for NO reason at all you stopped to tell someone you love them? Complimented a co-worker on a job well done? Told your children or siblings how very proud of them you are? Smiled at a random stranger in the coffee shop? We become so wrapped up in ourselves and our work that sometimes we forget to take the time.
There are some things everyone deserves to hear. Everyone needs encouragement, flattery, recognition, compassion and so much more. It is amazing what these little things can do to turn around someones day. You never know what kind of pain that plastic smile is holding back, YOU may be the only bright spot in their day. Today as you make your way through the day if you love someone, tell them. If someone looks pretty/handsome today, tell them. If someone brightened your day with a smile, tell them. If someone did a great job, tell them. I think we will find that opening ourselves up will bring a little more sunshine into our own lives as well.
Have a great day!
Saturday, January 7, 2012
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