Imagine trying to save an anonymous person's life, successfully getting the ambulance to them, saying good luck and never knowing what happened after you hung up.

No Music, No sensationalized on site footage, just a potrait of those workers. Hats off for that.

I was a 911 dispatcher for our local sheriff's office _way_ back in 1993. I quit after 6 months because I couldn't handle the stress. Sometimes I had to go to the bathroom and just cry. Several of the calls I took were so horrific, I'll never get them out of my head. I not only took 911 calls, but I also dispatched sheriff's deputies. This is where I have to say, it's a good thing technology has improved! Our dispatch radios sounded like McDonald's drive-thru speakers. They were so bad, I'd have to keep asking the deputies to 10-9 (repeat). My _greatest fear_ was getting an officer calling for help and then not being able to understand his reported location. If I was on radio duty, then _I_ was responsible for that deputy's life. Between _that_ stress and the traumatic calls, I had to resign. Thank you for making this video. I don't believe people are fully aware of how difficult this job is. It's not something you ever really think about, until the moment you need their help. I have *mad respect* for anyone who has the strength and fortitude to be a 911 dispatcher!

I take my hat off for these people, hearing all kinds of nasty things.

This is a pretty accurate representation. I take 911 calls and actually just got off shift. Everyday is something different and the stress builds but you have to answer that next call. It’s sometimes hard to get someone’s voice out of your head. It’s got challenges but also rewards.

I salute these people. It takes a special Kind of person to do this job, you have people calling in with just absolute panic, feeling helpless and need assistance like yesterday , and then you have complete jerks giving them operators a day and night of hell I'm sure. I couldn’t do it, people are way out of control. Thank you 911 operators for all you do!!

Well done! 21 years on the job. We need the support from the people and government to pass the 911 Saves Act.

Your films are of such high quality, it blows my mind how relatively low the number of views are. Although that makes me treasure them even more.

Former police officer here...these folks are the true unsung heroes, I wouldn't last a day in their shoes!

I can't even begin to express how much I appreciate this video. The way it expresses the day to day of the job. There's so much in this video, almost two sides to it. There's the perspective of the general public who have never worked in the field, and then there's the perspective of those who do it for a career. So much good information to educate the public, yet for those who do the work, there's a connection with what each person is saying. A connection of being there and knowing how that person feels.

We often give credit to police, fire, ambulance. They wouldnt get to us without these operators. Thank you for all you do, and ill pray that you dont live the calls daily.

I could never do this. Most stressful job in the world.

Such a well produced video! You let their experience speak for itself without interviews or narrations or anything. Beautiful

WHY ARE YOU YELLING!

I wonder what the turnover rate is for them. They have pretty stressful jobs.

I love my job. I love who I get to be when I do my job. If anyone has ever had even the slightest interest in something like this, please, *please* consider looking into making this your own career, too. This particular occupation is insanely short handed nationwide and almost any agency you walk into would likely be in desperate need of more dispatch trainees. Every day is filled with challenging, empowering, frustrating, hilarious, traumatic, noble, time-consuming, and ultimately soul-fulfilling work. I wouldn’t trade it for the world. I’ve never felt more satiated in my life than I do when I’m at the console.

I did this job for nearly 10 years in a major city, and I left to start my own business. Having said that, this job is not for everyone and you will have days where you're a wreck emotionally, and you're always at risk of lawsuits and investigations. It's a noble job and there are times when you really do save lives and when you diffuse potentially deadly situations.

I wouldn't be able to do this for 5 minutes.

What a stressful job! I can only imagine.. When I worked at AAA taking emergency roadside assistance calls it was pretty stressful sometimes, people yelling and stuff, especially if a baby or animal was locked in a car! But nothing like this. I am so grateful for them and all first responders.

He can't hold it and it's getting messy. Ummm okay normal day?

I dispatched in Oakland back in 80s. We covered 5 offices in 4 counties. Before cell phones was easier I think. It is wonderful that these dispatchers have access to gym for release of physical stress.

How emotionally demanding this line of work must be. Thank you for your service.

The craziest job but I cant see myself doing anything else. I love the chaos and being raised in a very dysfunctional environment, did my schooling in violent surrounding, I suppose is the main reasons why I can do this without breaking a sweat. Your worst day is my everyday at work

I gotta hand it to all the 911 dispatchers for every thing they go through dayend/dayout! Thank u for everything u do! Keep up the good work.

Dispatching can be very challenging and emotional for the worker's..Thank you all for your relentless effort..Hats off to you all❤🙏❤..my niece is a dispatcher..I remember she received a call from a family member..can't imagine how stressful that was for her

Very cool behind the scenes! Keep up the good work, Atlantic.

I Work as a sales rep and customer service and sometimes it gets really stressful so i can't even imagine taking 911 calls

Thank you for the fantastic quality videos.

This is really a good job. Saving someone’s life.

My mom is actually training to be a 911 dispatcher and her training is 3 to 6 months and omg the amount of codes she has is ridiculous

Phenomenal journalism in my opinion. So much on point. I love it when they leave the music away.

This is amazing.

This is amazing. I am forever grateful.

34 years now retired.

This is amazing

Oh, it's over. I thought it was just beginning.

Well done Atlantic, thank you for this

I work at a call center and it's not an emergency but also very stressful type of job. I can understand the Asian lady frustration LOL!

Well done! Great video!

Worst one i ever handled on the air was when one of my off duty units advised he had a plane coming down into a house. It was a UPS cargo plane and it took me 6 hours to get the scene cleaned up enough and everything under control before i could take a break.

I followed in my dads footsteps and became a police officer. He told me when I started “Always.. always. Be nice to your dispatchers”

One of the most stressful. Intense jobs evrr

I'm wondering why there is no video call possibility. I mean that would improve the work of the dispatchers, as one woman said at the end, they aren't sure what is reality, and it would be great evidences for the police.

Tw (suicide): As someone-the only person apart from my dad and uncle- calm enough to talk to a dispatcher, upon finding a family member, unconscious and in rigor mortis sans suicide, I feel like these videos help me to make my decision on becoming a dispatcher. I’ve been told I have incredible ability to keep calm on the most stressful situations, and I’d love to be able to make great use of such a talent and help save some lives and protect my community.

Well done. Good video

Rescue 911 could use a modern reboot

Well-made!

I was a volunteer firefighter for two years but resigned because I moved out of the area. I am working on getting into the local fire department in the village I live in. They house a few engines, a rescue, a tower ladder, and two ambulances. The 911 center is also located not far from my house. These men and women who work their are fantastic and important individuals. They are respectful and really care of the people and first responders involved in all emergencies and non-emergencies.

Very well done and informative... I am considering accepting a position as an EMD. It's a lot but I think I'd be good at it.

this is such a good doc omg

This job is for saving people's life.

Just took my test to become a dispatcher… really hope I pass. It was extremely hard. I would love to do this job, I understand it’s stressful but I would love to help people. Truly a stressful job, but can be rewarding

This is in SF? I'm sure they're busy from clock in to clock out

A 911 dispatcher will get calls in their dreams about incidents everyday. They are doing a very stressful job.. god bless

Taking a course to do this job. Very nervous about what i might hear on the other end someday.

Epic

Question for the film makers. Did you shoot on GH5 or Black magic? Curious as to what was the main camera you used.

Love my job :-)

This is so sad

This would be the best job for sociopaths/psychopaths. They wouldn't care at all. They'll just do the job and that's it.

Director: “Ok now everyone just start pretending like you’re on a call and make it crazy” Dispatcher: “And you said you’re falling out of a plane without arms? Help is on its way ok?”

I CALLED 911 FROM OREGON FOR AN EMERGENCY IN MICHIGAN. THEY TOLD ME THEY CAN'T TRANSFER MY CALL IF IT'S MORE THAN 3 STATES AWAY. CALL A HOSPITAL IN THE CITY OF THE EMERGENCY AND HAVE THEM TRANSFER YOUR CALL TO THEIR LOCAL 911!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I HOPE THIS HELPS SOMEBODY.

I wonder why the place is so dark tho?

What is THAT at 5:59?

I’m 23-years-old started dispatching in EMS this year (21) Let’s see how long I last 🙄

Like trying to watch Game of Thrones.... why so dark?

Why is it so dark?

Im in the process of trying to get hired in Nor Calif

With all the technology, it would be an inovation if we could video call 911 so things make more sense.

Everything is so dark!!!!

This was quite shallow. I hope it's part of a more involved piece.

Ok now listen to me

I would like to try this job. I love trying to help people. How does someone get this type of job?

Do they work from home now like other call centers are doing?

Why is this place so dark?

Busy

Postal nite mare!!

работают лучше чем наши

Do they use civilians for San Francisco? It seemed like they were if they were able to come to work in T-shirts

How can a 911 dispatcher tell weather or not its a law enforcement type call and how to tell if its a karen calling or a tiffany calling in a legit call situation!!!!! THIS WILL STOP KARENS FROM BEING KARENS AND THE NONSENSE OF KAREN CALLS WILL STOP!!!!!!

It must take a strong, patient, and selfless person to be a dispatcher. Maybe they don't get thanked enough and that's why there's such a high turnover.

can't stand the asian lady's vibe, her way of dealing with the stress is to be low-key sarcastic

It's 2021. Can't they make video 911 calls, so they can see what the caller is seeing?

Having been outside such a center, I have heard the dispatchers call callers "whiners", "trash", and worse. They have also laughed about delaying help for people they think sound funny or who don't speak clearly, like when they have a mouth full of blood. Their chief amusement is being as sarcastic as possible to callers. Other cops often join in.

This looks awful

It's a shame that dispatch center doesn't properly light the building. It must be difficult working in the dark.

The asian lady rude as hell

i feel as though female dispatchers are better than males because many people are more comforted by their nature and they tend to keep the callers calm