Even during slow periods, 9-1-1 dispatchers are fielding call after call after call, says Jeff Hebert, who has worked with the San Diego Sheriff's Department as a dispatcher and trainer for 19 years.
And those callers are often panic-stricken.
"You may have someone reporting a heart attack, for example, and you have to dispatch the responders while also giving advice on CPR to the caller," said Hebert.
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Training and experience make it easier over time, but there's always the adrenaline rush. There's rarely a sense of relief since dispatchers often don't find out whether the person was saved or the fire put out in time.
Few people can handle the responsibility, the odd hours and the stress, said Hebert. And many people leave after five years or so.
The pay varies but salaries typically start around $25,000 -- not much considering these folks help to save lives every day.
