Volusia 911 dispatchers train to help those with mental health crises Share Updated: 6:19 PM EST Feb 17, 2021 Share Updated: 6:19 PM EST Feb 17, 2021
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Show Transcript OPERATORS ARE BEING SPECIFICALLY TRAINED TO DEAL WITH SUICIDAL CALLERS OR THOSE STRUGGLING WITH MENTAL HEALTH. YOU ARE THE ONE WHO IS GOING TO BE THE FIRST TO CONNECT A LIFE BRIDGE TO THEM. CLAIRE: THESE ARE SOME OF THE PEOPLE WHO SEND EMERGENCY CREWS TO DISASTERS, GUIDE CALLERS THROUGH CPR, AND INCREASINGLY DEAL WITH THOSE IN MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS. OFFICIALS BELIEVE THE PANDEMIC HAS DRIVEN 911 CALL VOLUME UP, AND HELPING THOSE IN CRISIS, THOSE CONTEMPLATING SUICIDE, DEMANDS ADDITIONAL TRAINING. TO BUILD THAT CONFIDENCE AND TO GIVE THEM MORE TOOLS IN ORDER TO RELATE TO THE CALLER SO THAT WE CAN INCREASE THE POSSIBILITY THAT IT DOESN’T END IN A TRAGIC SITUATION. YOU ARE HOPING NOT TO SAY THE WRONG THING CLAIRE: JAMES OEHMKE HAS BEEN A SHERIFF’S DISPATCHER ON THE