Page 49 - South Mississippi Living - July, 2022

the call of duty:
DISPATCH
Dispatchers for emergency phone calls fulfill a vital role in the welfare of communities. Three Coast dispatchers share their experiences. Freida Moffett has answered administrative and 911 calls for the
Biloxi Police Department for 22 years. A communications supervisor, she's heard a lot. “The calls vary; accidents, domestic disturbances, alarm calls, animal control,” she said. “The ones that hit home are the calls that involve children. They're innocent and we must communicate with them on their level so they understand what information we need. Just getting their location can be difficult.”
Alisha Stanton with Hancock County E 911 agrees. “The most stressful and heart wrenching calls deal with kids; they break my heart.”
A former manager of a children's clothing store, she loves the job she's doing now. “The calls range from low to a high level, but we really have to think that we're helping people,” she said. “Some are hilarious; maybe they think there's something in the attic or a smell in their car, but people have needs and we're here to help. We assist in different ways.”
Rachael Corrin is the Gulfport Police Department dispatch supervisor and has been with the department 14 years. She recalls Hurricane Zeta in 2020 as one of her worst experiences. “We didn't expect it to be as strong as it was. I was on night duty and was bombarded with calls,” she said. “There was a house fire in the middle of the storm and it took longer to get there because we were dealing with the wind.”
All the dispatchers acknowledge that they're dealing with callers who are upset and scared. “Typically logic goes out the window and they may not be really listening,” Corrin said. “The most important thing is where you are so we can at least get someone in route to you.”
Unfortunately they are screamed at sometimes. “We know they're upset but screaming at us delays getting help to them,” Moffett said. “It can be stressful and we must wear many hats.”
Corrin says if someone is hollering at her, she talks softer and quieter. “That usually works. Once something happens, I move past it,” she added.
SOUTH MISSISSIPPI Living | www.smliving.net
story by Lynn Lofton photos courtesy of Frieda Moffett,
Alisha Stanton, and Rachael Corrin
City of Biloxi Dispatchers.
Alisha Stanton.
Freida Moffett.
Rachael Corrin.
Dispatchers hard at work.
July 2022 | 49
Heroes