One Dispatcher's NTW Story [The following story was posted on the Internet in 1999 by frequent DISPATCH Monthly columnist Linda Olmstead. It's the tale of one dispatcher's quest to actually have NTW at her agency, and demonstrates how much work might be involved.--Editor] Nominations for Dispatcher of the Year had gone out over a month earlier and had come back by April 6th for us (management) to review. The selected dispatcher would be announced at the BBQ I attempted to plan for Monday, 4/11. (I'd sent memos and e-mails out to our field offices regarding the week and the BBQ plans--with an inquiry into what they "might contribute" to the cause.) Here's what actually happened: (Some of my dispatchers were highly indignant about the lack of support demonstrated. ) The electronic message board that ALSO shows calls pending in queue displayed a scrolling banner about NTW for two weeks ahead of time. On Saturday, 4/10, they all received one of those buttons that CPRA http://www.cpra.org/award.html sells to finance their Dispatcher Awards Banquet during NTW. (Oh, okay, so they cost a lousy buck apiece.) Sunday I dropped by with the chicken, hamburger, rolls, soda, BBQ sauce and gourmet cookies for the BBQ the next day but the cookies were for munching right then. :) I hadda pick up the cake (I ordered it but our LT paid for it - he was on vacation for NTW so he couldn't be there) on Monday morning. (I have a pretty clear digital photo of the cake - sorta proud of it, actually, if anyone would like me to send 'em a copy in e-mail so you can show YOUR folks that didn't do a danged thing for ya. ) Anyway, one of the Areas came through and had sent me a check for $50 which offset most of the cost of the supplies I'd picked up Sunday. Sunday night I called the two dispatchers at home that we'd selected as Dispatchers of the Year (it was an incredibly close call--so we selected two. One for the usual reasons: great job all year, well-liked by field and clerical personnel, and some very well-considered statements in the nominations. The second for very similar reasons, but also because she had only 18 months on the job and had handled the shooting incident where one of our sergeants was shot on a traffic stop and she did a GREAT job! ) Anyway, they were on days off for Monday and we kinda wanted them to show up for the BBQ, so I told 'em we'd selected them, could they be there, please? OH! The nomination forms specifically request narrative comments, not just "circle the name of the dispatcher you think should be recognized this year for last year" At the Center, on Monday morning, nothing else had been accomplished. So, before I got there, the on-duty dispatchers ummmm pressed a sergeant and an acting sergeant into duty and MADE them set up the barbecue, advised the Captain "Linda didn't get any charcoal - so we need charcoal"--and he bought 40 lbs of it and they started up the (very large, pull-behind a car-type) barbecue unit. (They used flares to start the charcoal - ummmmmmmm, essence of fusee - better than mesquite!) No ice. I gave an officer the change from the $20 for the cake to go get ice for the sodas. Anyway, another one of the (five) Areas showed up with a veggie and dip tray. The Division Chief showed up with a box of See's Candy. (A big one.) Nobody else brought a thing. A dispatcher made a trip to go buy garlic bread, salad, chips and dip, with her own money. (She's since been reimbursed, through sheer embarrassment tactics.) However, several officers and brass showed up to eat with us since I had invited folks to join us for our celebration - and to bring their contribution to support the event. <hint hint hint> How DID they miss that? The two honored dispatchers received Commander's Commendations and "My work number is 9-1-1" licenseplate frames. <grin> Post-barbecue, some more money has trickl ed in to pay for the supplies. (I'm still waiting for some promised monies.) Partway through the week, Clerical staff made up baskets of goodies for each shift. and that's really nice because they make even LESS money than dispatchers do! But the dispatchers wonder why The Comm Center always has to do the planning and coordination for this week. I feel bad that I wasn't able to browbeat more cooperation ahead of time so the barbecue would have gone more smoothly. But hey, wanna see the cake? It was real purty! Linda Olmstead |