Nah...hell, our state doesn't even want to pay to send us up to the state fair to dispatch! Oh, they push us to go, but they don't want to pay for gas or mileage or time on the clock to take the 4 hour drive. NOR let us have the time off to go to such functions. Heck, our 75th anniversary is coming up Aug 1st but I don't think anyone in dispatch will be there to celebrate. Dina

Hey Lexa - The board has been a little dead lately - no help from me there! As for what to eat, well, that's a lifelong struggle for a dispatcher, IMO. I think other than raw veggies when you want something real to eat, you can try those Steak Nuggets which are wonderful. Also, there are a few fast food items you can eat that aren't going to ruin it for you. Wendy's chili is low in fat and high in protein. You can get those Taco Bell border bowls "fresca" style (I believe that's what they call it). It's lower in calories as well. Most of the fast food places have good salads you can get as well. And let us not forget Costco. If you have one nearby, their roasted chicken makes a great lunch for days on end, and they have pre-made chicken caesar salads and dother such things you can take along. Now, I will keep some packaged dinners at work for when I can't get to the store or make my own lunch. Most of the Dinty Moore dinners are low in calories and don't have to be frozen or refrigerated. The main thing I try to avoid that I did a lot of in the past pre-surgery is snacking. I can fill up easier now, so there is no reason to have an all night nosh on crackers. Although I will admit that will happen on a rare occasion when I'm PMS'ing. When that hunger kicks in I try to recognize it right away and plan for healthier fare, but it doesn't always work that way. Hope some of that helps! Dina

PS: There is another Dina (McBride) from Oregon (Beaverton? Portland?) who saw Dr. Baltasar, and I also went out of the country for my surgery - saw Dr. Aguirre in Ensenada BC Mexico 2 years ago. I was very happy with my experience. Dina

Well, I kind of have a little different take on this. I started out dispatching at a small PD w/911 back in 1988. I was there for 2 years, took a break and started with state police in 91. First, I have to throw a disclaimer in there: I thought I would be bored working for OSP because I thought it would consist of traffic stops and nothing more. Yes, there are a lot of those, but it's so much more and I do love my job. Every dispatcher that works for us who worked in 911 before, whether a large or small center, all come back saying the same thing.....that they had no idea how busy we could get, nor the calibre of the calls having the same excitement level. As for small PD's, the one thing you need to remember is this: They may roll up the sidewalks at 9pm, but crap still happens at 2am. You may go a month or more between "good" calls, but when a big one happens, and if it is really a small department where you are the only one on duty, you will get nailed to the wall with chaos. One house fire garnered me juggling 3 phones and 4 radios simultaneously because we dispatched police, fire and public works....and all of them wanted attention NOW. As well as everyone and their dog calling 911. I don't say this, though, to scare you. Because there is one thing about this job that some people don't realize. If you are intrigued by it and think you'll like it, the chances are you will eat up all that chaos and get a huge adrenaline rush that will keep you coming back for more. It is GOOD to have feast and famine when you are a dispatcher because those quiet down times are when you get to recharge your batteries for the next wave that hits. For me, there was something inate in me that always made me wonder about the job. I had no clue what it entailed, but I thought I'd like it. I fell in love with the job right away. It was FUN, and I got paid for it. I loved getting all the crazy calls, being asked to think on my feet and challenging myself to perform under seemingly impossible cir****tances. I'm the kind of person who, when I decide to do something and someone tells me I can't do it, well, I will not only prove them wrong, but in a grand fashion. So this always satiated my desire to perform and triumph. The thing is, when you sit along, likely you will see a lot of computer screens (unless there is no CAD at that department), and you will wonder how you can keep it all straight. Just think of it like working on your computer and having several windows open. Each window - or screen - performs a separate function, and no, you don't have to stare at each one intensely ever moment. You eventually find your stride and these computers become an extension of you. So there is a fluidity with it in that sense. And if the crap hits the fan while you're sitting there, you may recoil and think you can't do it. Just remember that this is why there are training periods. You learn to function and your reflexes kick in when you have an idea of how to drive that car. Small departments (in our state at least) tend to give minimal training to dispatchers before they are kicked loose on their own. Having a minimal staff means they have to hurry to get people in there and sitting down, so like with me on my first job, I had 2 weeks of training and I was cut loose. Great when it's quiet, but when I got an mva where ems was asking for the jaws of life, I had no clue what they were talking about. I was frozen in fear because I didn't know what to do. So if you get the job and they hurry you through training, take those quiet times to read everything in the center and ask questions of anyone you can. Know who you can call in a pinch so they can walk you through it, and don't be afraid to tell another dispatch agency you may be working with that you are new and need some help. It's always better to let them in on what the deal is so they can help you through if they can rather than just letting them think that you're inept because your department can't find qualified employees. I always try to give dispatchers from other centers (especially small ones) a break when I talk to them because I remember all too well my 2 weeks of training and how I must have looked and sounded. And lastly, just know that you WILL make mistakes. And you may start off loving the job, but there is a period mid-training, or a few months in, where you think to yourself that you have to be nuts to think you can do this and you fear every call that comes in because you think it's going to require something beyond your skills. Remember this because it is a phase that I have seen every dispatcher I've worked with go through in their training. It's normal and you get over it. Just remember that common sense rules and if you don't know, ask. I've been at OSP for 14+ years now and there are still stupid little things I sometimes have to ask for insight on because I forgot or never encountered the situation before. There is no shame in asking if you don't know. That is different from not being able to retain basic information though. (I *don't* subscribe to the theory that there are no stupid questions. If I tell you the blue button labeled "intercom" is an intercom and I have to tell you that numerous times even though you've used it several times, I would say that is a stupid question.) At some point you learn to stop holding your breath and you are able to relax a little. And when you hit that point, that's when you really start loving your job. If you *like* that sort of thing like I do. I hope that helps a little. The job can be alternately boring as hell and busy as hell. But that's what I love about it. I like responding in the here and now, not to an inbox/outbox! Dina http://www.saveosp.org/

I've been at my wits end many times with my job and the one thing I'm thankful for is that I've stuck it out because the good times far outweigh the bad. Not neccesarily in equal amounts of time but in that I love my job more now than I ever hated it. Because there was always a little vein of me loving my job even when I hated it. Sleep is one of those things I don't do well anymore regardless of what shift it is. I function better on nights though. I recommend trying to force yourself to stay up later for one. If you keep waking up at 10 or 11am, go to bed then and see if that doesn't work for you. Run your errands in the morning and stay up. Then see if you don't crash good with that later shift. Other than that, you can do what I do and that is psych yourself into it by saying "I can get by on 3 or 4 hours...I've done it before" and then catch up on the weekend. I know it's not the greatest, but over the years my body has gotten quite used to it. As for everyone else, I used to get wrapped up in all that and still do from time to time, but I discovered one key factor in my happiness and that was letting go of all the crap. I had to quit focusing on it and just started letting it slide and I ended up much happier. You know that saying about accepting what you cannot change....well, it's true. Sometimes you have to work to change things, but other times you can't. So you just focus on yourself and what is best for you and let all the other stuff be background noise. I know it is easier said than done. I've spent years learning it. But it does make a huge difference, and little steps to improve your center can make a big impact when you depersonalize it and not let yourself stress over it. Dina

Hi Luna! I see we both had Dr. Aguirre! I saw you over on the SOTB forum! My recommendation to you is to take your computer and open the Word processing program then turn on the TV and try to type everything as you hear it. Then try to make sense of what you are hearing and paraphrase it. Over time you may be able to weed through the junk and get to the meat of what is being said and be able to keep up as it is going on. I'm not sure what kind of testing they are doing where you are, but with the dispatch simulator we have a lot of it is being able to switch gears quickly and make decisions about what type of call is what. Then being able to cull pertinent information from a call and be able to relate that to the incident. Just keep trying and hopefully you'll get there. 85% isn't bad at all, so I'd say you should keep trying. If you have more specific questions, let us know! Dina

This is just very sad to me. I don't know why they can't keep their wits about them sometimes. We had an officer with a similar situation only he was one of three involved with a cadet who was a minor at the time but is 21 now. She isn't cooperating as she doesn't want to pursue any charges, but the officers lost their jobs anyway. We also had another officer lose his job because he and a gal in one of the outlying offices apparently had sex in the office while on duty. What on earth possesses them? If you can't be "good" then why take such risks? I just don't get it. Thrill of getting caught maybe...who knows. Very disappointing though. Really makes you stop and think. Dina

See - I don't check in near enough either. I'm just so tired so much of the time that when I'm checking email in the morning I fall asleep with the warm laptop on my lap! Yeesh! It has been very WET and rainy here, but snowy in other parts of the state that we dispatch for. And so it has been a crazy week...mostly busy but with a nice mellow evening here and there. We work 4-10's but I only had 1 day off last week and have 2 this week. Lotsa overtime all the sudden. But that's okay, my checks have been looking pretty happy. Normally I just take comp but lately I've been taking pay and it's been fun to use that on little Dina toys here and there. It was a VERY nice day today - warm and springy, but it's very windy tonight...but still warm. Another system is to hit tomorrow though, so it is short lived. ::sigh:: Dina

Well, all I can say is it depends on the people involved. I've found some common threads amongst cops and it seems to me the majority are married to nurses, dispatchers and stay at home moms. So of the first two it would seem they go for a like=like personality type mix. The latter seems a more submissive and traditional female role. As for working with someone you are dating, I have seen it happen in the past enough to feel pretty comfortable with it. I think it could be hard for folks who aren't well balanced though. And it could be hard to dispatch objectively during hot calls. I have also seen where one dispatcher I worked with who was dating (and ultimately married) a trooper transferred to our sister center and she had problems with catty comments from the other dispatchers about the trooper....knowing it would bother her. I think it could be exciting and fun and with those who have level heads, even long term and lasting. It just depends on the people involved. I told someone recently who was expressing concerns about dating someone they work with that I guess I feel like work is kind of the perfect place to meet your mate. You learn how they are with other people, you learn their work ethic and you get to see how they interact with their bosses and co-workers. I think this gives a good insight into who you are dealing with....moreso than with the average joe you meet in the grocery store picking out veggies in the produce isle. Certainly it's not a perfect rendering of who this person is off duty, but it's a better start than many people get. As for me, I married my boss....from back when I delivered pizzas. But the same rule applies....you learn more about people you work with and I kind of feel you have an advantage there at times. So, now the big question is: Are you considering dating one of your officers? Dina

Sherri - I love the new pic. I love your hair! And I always love looking at the photo albums, so keep em coming! You are just doing so fantastic following the diet plan and I'm so proud of you. I know how hard it is, and boy, you are just sticking right in there. I know on those occasions where I was able to stick to it, it's like you get to a point where you can almost taste the success...that makes a huge difference in getting to goal. Just getting past that hump is the key. I'm so happy for you...you're doing so well!!! As for your baby, I can relate! My son will be 5 in June and it blows me away what a little man he is. Dina

Welcome Sarita! I'm almost a stones throw away from you. LOL - well, okay, maybe a little further. I'm in southern Oregon. I know how you feel about being in a small town. I started out dispatching in a small town much like you so I know how you feel about revealing too much. I struggle with it even now, but hell, my life is pretty much an open book at this point so I guess I have passed the point of caring. I loved working in a smaller center, but now that I am with state police I am pretty happy too. I do like the busier atmosphere, but we still have our down time. So is your area floating away too? I think we're on the downswing with the weather though....at least I hope so. When you dispatch a large geographical area it starts to wear on you with road closures and fatals and all. Nice to have you here and I look forward to getting to know you! Dina

Brianna - CONGRATULATIONS! I know that 1 lb can be so aggrivating, but seriously - you're there already. 1 lb is essentially an Exlax away. You're doing just fantastic and things will only get better. As for the century club card, email htmlhelp@obesityhelp.com and they can get one going for you. I can make one for you, but you probably should go through them so they can keep track and upload it. I am an inactive volunteer with the team, so I'd be better off just sending you through them. Dina

Here I am...bringing up the rear! Things have been crazy at work lately with the flooding and fatals all over the place. Good news is that I got my overtime check from December and I didn't realize I worked quite that much, but WHOOHOO, that is going to put a dent in my credit card!!! Dina