Description

9-1-1 telecommunicators perform work that is stressful mentally, physically, and emotionally. This stress can lead to burn-out, decreased job performance, poor health, and a host of other problems—both for individual employees and for the workplace. In this training, 9-1-1 call center managers will learn practical tools and techniques for reducing employee stress and promoting mental and physical wellness at work.

The information in this training was designed to be useful not only for 9-1-1 call center managers, but also for telecommunicators, first responders, and other managers and workers in high-stress professions.

Learning Objectives

  • Describe the effects of job-related stress on 9-1-1 telecommunicators.
  • Recognize and respond to job-related trauma in 9-1-1 telecommunicators.
  • List actions managers can take to improve stress in 9-1-1 telecommunicators.
  • List ways to reduce the stress associated with implementation of new technology.
  • Describe effective approaches to managing staffing needs to avoid stress due to overtime work.
  • Apply conflict management strategies to conflicts between employees.
  • Create a policy to prevent and respond to workplace bullying.
  • Create a workplace wellness program to encourage physical activity and good nutrition.
  • Plan to hold a flu shot clinic at a PSAP.

Intended Audience

9-1-1 call center managers, telecommunicators, first responders, and other managers and workers in high-stress professions.

Background

This toolkit was developed to give 9-1-1 call center managers additional tools to help reduce stress among employees. The content includes findings from the scientific literature, information from other publications, best practices reported by managers of 9-1-1 call centers, and expert opinion from the clinical psychologists on our research team.

Research Team

Hendrika Meischke, PhD, MPH

Principal Investigator

Janet Baseman, PhD, MPH

Principal Investigator

Randy Beaton, PhD

Co-Investigator

Michelle Lilly, PhD

Co-Investigator

Ann Tu, MD, MPH

Co-Investigator

Ian Painter, PhD, MSc

Biostatistician

Debra Revere, MLIS, MA

Research Scientist

Becca Calhoun, MPH

Research Coordinator

Scott Stangenes

Research Coordinator

Support

This project was supported by grant number ROH010536 funded by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Its contents are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention or the Department of Health and Human Services.

Acknowledgments

The developers of this toolkit would like to thank the following organizations for contributing materials used in this toolkit:

  • Cresa Call Center
  • Skagit 9-1-1
  • PACE study
  • UC Davis Occupational Health Services
Date: 
August 16, 2018
Topics: 
Behavioral & Mental Health
Format: 
Toolkits and Guides
Duration: 
1 hour
Cost: 
Free
Competency Domains: 
Communication Skills
Leadership and Systems Thinking Skills