During high-stress incidents, what is one common emotional response from dispatchers?

Heightened anxiety and emotional fatigue is a common emotional response for dispatchers during high-stress incidents due to the intense nature of their work. Dispatchers often find themselves in the midst of urgent situations where they must maintain composure while gathering critical information, coordinating responses, and ensuring the safety of both callers and responders. This can lead to feelings of overwhelming pressure, resulting in anxiety as they navigate the complexities of each call.

As they repeatedly handle high-stress scenarios, emotional fatigue can set in, causing fatigue not just on a physical level but mentally and emotionally as well. It’s important for dispatchers to recognize and address these feelings to mitigate the risk of burnout and maintain their effectiveness in their roles.