Community Engagement and Recruitment Specialist Virginia Beach Emergency Communications and Citizen Services Virginia Beach, Virginia
Public safety heroes like police and firefighters are often celebrated, but dispatchers—the “heroes under the headset”—are frequently overlooked. Operating behind the scenes, dispatchers play a critical role in coordinating life-saving responses, yet rarely engage with the public on a front-facing level. A public engagement initiative can change that by highlighting their vital work through operational tours, citizen presentations, and community events. These efforts not only recognize dispatchers but also strengthen trust and understanding between them and the communities they serve.
Learning Objectives:
Define public engagement/education in the context of 9-1-1 services and its impact on community trust.
Determine ways to collaborate with all age populations by identifying the unique needs and/or concerns of local community groups.
Identify approaches to address misconceptions about 9-1-1 services and promote an accurate understanding of dispatcher roles.
