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Health & Wellness
A collection of articles related to health and wellness issues for first-responders at public-safety agencies.
Wellness Through Capacity: Rethinking Technology's Role in 9-1-1
Many of the conversations happening around technology, AI, staffing, burnout, wellness, and performance in 9-1-1 all lead back to the same challenge: capacity.
Ryan Dedmon
Jun 165 min read
Is the Glass Half-Full or Half-Empty? A Different Perspective on Stress for First-Responders
Helping first-responders look at chronic stress from a different perspective.
Ryan Dedmon
Jun 16 min read
From Darkness to Serving: Why I Became a Dispatcher
The dispatching field is wild and crazy and so addicting. I truly loved my job as a dispatcher with every ounce of my being. The build-up of traumatic calls and hard moments is so often overlooked though, and burnout is so very real.
Ryan Dedmon
Sep 1, 202510 min read
Financial Wellness for Our First Responders
Financial stability is a crucial aspect of a well-rounded life, particularly for public safety professionals.
Ryan Dedmon
Nov 20, 20246 min read
Building Resilience: A First Responder's Guide
For first responders, it's not just about surviving tough times — it's about thriving despite them.
Ryan Dedmon
Jun 20, 20244 min read
Gardening in 9-1-1 to Survive & Thrive
What could an Emergency Communications Center possibly have in common with the flowers in a garden? More than you might think!
Ryan Dedmon
Mar 24, 20247 min read
First Responder Culture: Finding a Healthy Balance
First responder culture is essential to the profession and should be valued, but it’s important to be mindful of potential issues...
Ryan Dedmon
Feb 18, 20236 min read
Rainy Days
We fail to find joy in simple things that once brought us happiness, so we need to reshape our perspective to improve our wellness.
Ryan Dedmon
Dec 12, 20223 min read
Who Decides if You have a Bad Day at Work?
It takes effort to view things through a positive lens in public-safety where first-responders battle chronic exposure to unique stressors.
Ryan Dedmon
Jul 8, 20225 min read
We See You, Mama
Weekends, holidays, day shift, swing shift, graveyard, no days off - I’m not just talking about the career you chose as a dispatcher...
Ryan Dedmon
May 7, 20224 min read
Retired Dispatcher who Survived Suicide Attempt Now Helps Other First-Responders do the Same
A retired police dispatcher who survived her own suicide attempt now helps other first-responders do the same as a Public Safety Advocate.
Ryan Dedmon
Mar 6, 202210 min read
Peer Support Saved My Life
I am in a much better place now. It took me years to get here but I put in the hard work needed for my healing.
Ryan Dedmon
Jan 18, 20224 min read
How will I Manage our Holiday Schedule?
5 tips on how first-responder families can adjust to crazy holiday schedules and celebrate the season together.
Ryan Dedmon
Dec 16, 20215 min read
Seasonal Depression Makes the Job Tougher for First-Responders
Public-safety is no easy job to begin with, but the holiday season always seems to make it tougher for first-responders.
Ryan Dedmon
Dec 9, 20214 min read
Yoga 101 for 9-1-1 Dispatchers
Meditate on this: yoga can help public-safety emergency dispatchers deal with stress.
Ryan Dedmon
Oct 26, 20214 min read
Some Benefits of Exercise for First-Responders
Physical exercise can help free your mind from the prison of compulsively dwelling on the stress to which you are constantly exposed.
Ryan Dedmon
Aug 29, 20215 min read
How 9-1-1 Dispatchers can Combat Metabolic Syndrome
So, you are a 9-1-1 dispatcher and your blood pressure is high? This is most likely the result of chronic stress response.
Ryan Dedmon
Aug 15, 20213 min read
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