Priority Dispatch Corporation

With roads busier and everyone in a hurry to grab the best deals, the Friday after Thanksgiving often brings a sharp rise in vehicle accidents—up to 34% more crashes happen on this day. So if you’re heading out today, take a moment to slow down and stay alert: • Expect heavier traffic and give yourself extra time to get where you’re going • Stay patient in parking lots • Keep your phone down and focus on the road • Watch for pedestrians, especially in dimmer early-morning or evening hours Whether you're shopping, working, or relaxing at home, stay safe out there—and take care of yourself and one another. 🦃🚗

Happy Thanksgiving from Priority Dispatch! 🧡 Today, we’re especially grateful for the Emergency Dispatchers, responders, and agencies who serve their communities—every hour, every holiday, every shift. Your compassion for your callers and your commitment to doing the job right make a difference no one else can make. To our partners around the world: thank you for trusting us to support your teams, strengthen your systems, and stand with you in the work that matters most. Wishing you and your families a safe, warm, and meaningful Thanksgiving. — The Priority Dispatch Team 🦃

“Having the protocols allows us to ask the right questions.” — Shannon Popovich, Director, Regional Emergency Communications Center, REMSA Health With more than 20 years in emergency communications, Shannon has seen the difference structured protocols make. In the video, she explains that without the software, every Emergency Dispatcher does things a little differently—different questions, different details gathered, and inconsistent Pre-Arrival Instructions. Protocols change that. They ensure: • Every caller gets the same high-quality care • Emergency Dispatchers gather the information responders truly need • Nothing critical gets missed • Pre-Arrival Instructions are delivered correctly and consistently • The right response is sent every time Watch Shannon’s full testimonial to hear how protocols bring clarity, consistency, and confidence to her center’s work.

“The emotional control tool was a very big help.” — MaryAnn King, Dispatcher Training Coordinator, North Adams Police Department The Emotional Control Tool is one of the key features of Protocol 41: Caller in Crisis (1st Party Only). Using a Mental States Menu of 20 emotional conditions, it provides dispatchers with tailored calming statements and supportive language—helping them steady the tone of the call, build rapport, and keep the conversation moving in a safe, constructive direction. Protocol 41 equips Emergency Dispatchers to: • De-escalate and stabilize the conversation • Keep the person safe while gathering essential information • Deliver clear, compassionate care using a proven process In her testimonial, MaryAnn shares how Protocol 41 has strengthened her center’s approach and boosted the confidence of their EMDs. Watch the full video to hear why this protocol has become a cornerstone of their crisis response.

This month, we’re highlighting a truly special story out of North Memorial Health Communications Center (North Comm). Meet Teneshia Mays and her daughter, Shytaela Nunn—two Emergency Medical Dispatchers who prove that the “family” feeling in dispatch can be literal. What started as a dream job for Mays became a shared calling, with both mother and daughter now serving side by side in one of the country’s largest hospital-based air and ground services. From navigating long shifts to supporting callers through life’s toughest moments, their bond strengthens their work—and their work strengthens their bond. It’s a powerful reminder of the compassion, legacy, and heart that drive this profession. 💛 Read the full story: https://bit.ly/49W6zhV

We want to hear from you for the podcast! As an emergency dispatcher, what would you like to know about the role of clinical leadership in the comm. center? Dr Mike Brady (PhD) will be answering your burning questions on an upcoming episode, dispelling myths, talking about how to lead, and outlining effective communication models. Drop a question in the comments or message us directly.

🚑 Milwaukee Department of Emergency Communications is now live with the Medical Priority Dispatch System (MPDS)! With MPDS, Emergency Medical Dispatchers can now guide callers through potentially lifesaving Pre-Arrival Instructions—helping with CPR, stroke identification, childbirth support, bleeding control, and more. Milwaukee also launched QPR (Quality Performance Review), reinforcing their commitment to continuous improvement, high clinical standards, and delivering exceptional care to their community. 🎉 Fun facts about Milwaukee: • Milwaukee is home to a historic brewing tradition. • It’s the birthplace of Harley-Davidson and home to the one-of-a-kind Harley-Davidson Museum. • Milwaukee hosts Summerfest—the world’s largest music festival—drawing visitors from across the globe. 👏 Congratulations to the entire Milwaukee Department of Emergency Communications team for raising the bar in public safety and emergency response! #PDCPartyBox #PriorityDispatch #IAED #MPDS #EMD

Stress is part of any job. Short bursts can motivate us, but chronic stress harms our health. In public safety, we expect stress—Emergency Dispatching comes with the emotional weight of guiding people through life-and-death situations. But what surprised me is that the calls themselves are rarely the source of *chronic* stress. At a NAVIGATOR session this year, one speaker asked a room of dispatchers and public safety professionals about their biggest stressors. No one mentioned a specific call. Instead, responses focused on schedules, emails, rigid policies, negativity, and bosses. It’s the everyday organizational pressures that quietly erode resilience and morale over time. As a leader, I never want to be a source of one of my team members’ chronic stresses at work. That’s why it’s so important to evaluate what influence we are having on our teams. As leaders, our emotional states are contagious. When we’re tense, our teams feel it; when we’re calm, empathetic, and curious, they feel that too. This means to have a low-stress workplace, we need to start with managing our own stress. Sleep, good nutrition, exercise, and strong social connections are great places to start. And when stress arrives, automatic techniques like tactical breathing or even wiggling your toes can help you regulate in the moment. Policies and rules deserve scrutiny too. Do they reduce stress or add to it? Small changes—like removing an outdated uniform requirement—can have a big impact on workplace morale. Lower-stress workplaces aren’t magic, they’re intentional. Preparation, self-awareness, and the courage to question what doesn’t work ripple out to benefit teams, the people we serve, and our communities. How do you manage your own stress?

🚒 Douglas County Emergency Communication Center (6539) in Lawrence, KS is now live with the Emergency Fire Dispatch (EFD) System! With EFD in place, Douglas County Fire Dispatchers now have proven, structured protocols to gather consistent, critical information from calls and send the right response—every time. These protocols also empower Emergency Fire Dispatchers to take on a rescuer role, providing callers with potentially lifesaving Pre-Arrival Instructions while units are on the way. That includes guidance for fire evacuations, airway management, burn care, and even “Fight for Your Life” instructions in the most severe situations. Douglas County took their first EFD call—a fire alarm—shortly after going live. Since then, they’ve already handled a dumpster fire and a blown transformer. It was a busy day in the center! Lawrence, your community is in capable hands. 🔥

🚑 Southwest Regional Communications in DeSoto, Texas is now live with the Medical Priority Dispatch System (MPDS)! They officially launched yesterday at 7:00am, and by 7:15am the team had already taken their first MPDS call—a Sick Person (Protocol 26). The crew handled the transition with confidence and professionalism from the very first call. This go-live marks the start of a new chapter for the center, bringing structured, evidence-based medical protocols to every call. MPDS equips Emergency Medical Dispatchers to deliver consistent, high-quality care—including helping callers perform CPR, identify strokes, provide childbirth instructions, and guide callers through potentially life-saving interventions before responders arrive. The center also launched QPR (Quality Performance Review) alongside MPDS, further strengthening their commitment to continuous improvement and high clinical standards. 👏 Congratulations to the entire Southwest Regional Communications team for your commitment to elevating emergency care in your community. #EMD #MPDS #PriorityDispatch #PublicSafety