Caroline Burau

I've been at the other end of many an angry phone call in my own line of work at a furniture store, which you'd think would be a relatively calm operation: People want furniture, they buy furniture, we bring furniture. But as a manager, most of the people I talked to had issues that no one else could resolve. I had calls from racist clients who didn't want Mexicans to touch their things, calls from people who had convinced themselves that we had overcharged them, lied to them, damaged their home. When COVID hit, we made many calls repeatedly disappointing a public convinced that their furniture had not arrived because we had given it to someone else. I identified with Caroline Burau's need for apathy and detachment when responding to fury, with her position as someone whose job was widely misunderstood because it involved solving problems that no one thought should exist in the first place. I related to the call-center vibe of the dispatch office: The desperate need to learn the job incredibly fast or you'd have your ass handed to you on a plate, the inability to do anything as quickly as was expected, the fast-paced multi-tasking required, and the comradery that came with all of it. What I could not imagine is adding life, death, and actual criminal activity to the mix. My hats off to all the 911 dispatchers out there. I see you now!… (plus d'informations)

I do not have a high opinion of cops or 911 dispatchers. In my Goodreads review, I briefly described calling 911 due to gunshots shortly after I moved here, and that the 911 dispatcher snapped at me. In the review, I called her a jerk. I described the current state of Seattle police forces in general and in my neighborhood, especially what's on the most recent ballot. The Goodreads review continues: Against this background, I read this book. To clarify, I don't live in Seattle. The author is such a skilled writer that I actually warmed a bit to 911 dispatchers and even cops. The author writes with warmth, intelligence, and humor. She also wrote about a horrible accident her daughter got into. During this chapter, her writing choices made it seem like she was downplaying her reaction. A few sentences gave away her real reaction, though. I looked up what the Jaws of Life are, and uh, I'm a bit squeamish. I totally flipped out. And the next chapter got me to crack a smile. This was a really interesting book and I learned a lot from reading it..… (plus d'informations)

Have you ever wondered about who is on the other end of the line when you dial 911? What does it take to be the calm in the storm when faced with emergencies? Author Caroline Burau answers these questions and more as she tells it like it is by sharing stories of life in the hot seat. On a daily basis, emergency dispatchers across the country alternate between periods of boredom and chaotic activity. As first responders, dispatchers must be prepared to handle anything from reports of theft to multiple car accidents to horrific shootings to delivering a baby.

While all jobs have challenges, life as an emergency dispatcher can require sacrifice and perseverance, grit and assertiveness. The call centers are open 24/7, including holidays, and shifts can vary. Burau discuss the challenges of learning a new job while raising a daughter as well. She is also very candid about her previous drug addiction and how that influenced her desire to help people.

Readers will feel as if they are along for the ride as they experience the highs and lows of a job that few people think about, but depend upon when they are in trouble.

The Bottom Line: Burau’s book is a fast-paced look at the complex job of being an emergency dispatcher. As a former journalist, Burau’s writing is brutally honest, easy to read, and sometimes humorous. The anecdotes provide an inside look at what it’s like to be in the hot seat with lives depending on you. Recommended for anyone considering a career in law enforcement and rescue work.

For the complete review including Book Club Notes, please visit the Mini Book Bytes Book Review Blog.… (plus d'informations)

I first saw this book here on Shelfari. As a former dispatcher,myself, I had to read it. Little did I know I could have written a book abt my experiences!
I thoroughly enjoyed this book.It is a very fast read. Her experiences and thoughts mirrored my own. As others have said here,I had my doubts abt her crack habit past and getting a job in a sheriff's dept., but she had a very short period of the addiction and a short criminal record,so that paired with her honesty would be reason enough for the dept to consider hiring her.Honesty and straightforwardness go along way with police! I had many similar experiences on the job.Dispatchers and police all have those certain calls that are never forgotten. No amt of therapy will let it go.
I laughed out loud when she thought that someone should call 911 for an emergency and then had the self realization/terror that she WAS 911. I had that moment too!
Very good read.
I think everyone should read this book,it will give you a deep appreciation of what dispatchers go thru to get the help a complainant needs.
Every word and emotion is the truth!… (plus d'informations)