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Don't Let Mean Girl Behavior Hurt Your Team: Best Practices for 911

911der Women, Inc.

When women in 911 find their voice, they find their power.

发布日期: 2023年3月2日

Being 911 responder requires a lot of focus, compassion, and professionalism. If we aren't careful the demands of the job can create tension between coworkers, leading to toxic behavior and a negative work environment. Calls can be intense and overwhelming, and it's not uncommon for dispatchers to experience burnout or compassion fatigue. This can sometimes lead to conflict or tension between coworkers. In these situations, it's important to practice empathy and compassion. Try to put yourself in your coworker's shoes and understand where they are coming from.

We often deal with so much negativity call after call and must stay vigilant as to not let that negativity spill out into our interactions with our team. Many centers have that mean girl - some may have a whole mean girls group! You just pictured your center's mean girl, right? Good, you have an example of what behavior not to emanate.

No alt text provided for this image — "Roxy" VanGundy, ENP, RPL, CMCP

We asked Roxanne Van Gundy, ENP, CMCP, RPL, CPE , the Director of Lyon County Emergency Communications Center, her thoughts on how mean girl behavior affects 911 centers and she had this to say:

Mean girls create more mean girls. It trickles down. So if you don't lean into the discomfort and sometimes loneliness of choosing to be something different, you'll only add to the bigger culture war that 911 is experiencing. We can chose to foster collaboration, kindness, friendship, love and security within our PSAP'S. It's a choice. If we do not, don't be surprised when your center systematically falls apart. Cracks in the cultural foundation are a very real thing and take a massive effort to repair.

Mean girl behavior can take many forms, including bullying, gossiping, belittling others, making snarky comments, or refusing to work as part of a team. These behaviors can create a hostile work environment that not only makes your coworkers feel undervalued and disrespected but also affects the quality of emergency responses. When your team is not communicating effectively, arguing, or engaging in unprofessional behavior, it can hinder the ability to respond to calls quickly and efficiently. This behavior not only creates a toxic work environment but can also affect the quality of emergency responses ultimately putting lives at risk.

Here are some tips on how to avoid being the mean girl in 911:

Avoid gossiping: Gossiping can be a tempting pastime in any workplace, but it can be particularly damaging in a 911 center. Gossip erodes trust between coworkers and ultimately undermines the work that you do. Try to avoid participating in gossip and instead focus on constructive conversations and building positive relationships with your team.
Treat everyone with respect: As a 911 responder, you will work alongside people from all walks of life. It's important to treat all coworkers with respect, regardless of their background or job title. Avoid making assumptions about others based on their length of service, current rank, certifications, etc.
Be a team player: A 911 center is a team effort, and every member of the team has a crucial role to play. Being a team player means being willing to help out your colleagues when they need it and supporting each other during stressful situations. If you see your coworker struggling with a difficult call jump in an help. Remember lives could be at stake! If you do not get along with that particular person try to practice principles over personalities.
Communicate effectively: Effective communication is critical in a 911 center. Make sure that you are communicating effectively with your team and responding to calls promptly. If there is a problem or a misunderstanding, address it with your coworkers calmly and professionally. Talk it out!
Take responsibility for mistakes: No one is perfect, and mistakes can happen. When they do, take responsibility for them and work to find a solution. Blaming others or making excuses will only create tension and mistrust among coworkers. Don't get defensive! Instead accept that you made a mistake and work to not make the same mistake again.
Respect boundaries: Everyone has their own personal boundaries, and it's important to respect them. Avoid making assumptions about what people are comfortable with and always ask for consent before sharing personal information that may have been trusted to you in confidence.
Show appreciation: Showing appreciation for your coworkers can go a long way in creating a positive work environment. Thank your teammate for jumping in and helping with that difficult call and acknowledge their contributions to shared successes. Try to find one thing each day to thank a teammate for. If they did something spectacular or continually go above and beyond in a certain area, let their supervision know.

Being the mean girl in a 911 center is not only unprofessional, but it can also have serious consequences for the work that you do. It is a lose-lose situation that can damage your professional reputation, harm your relationships with colleagues, and affect the quality of emergency responses. Instead, strive to be a positive force in the workplace by avoiding gossip, treating everyone with respect, and being a team player. Not only will this help you to be a better responder, but it can also help you create a positive work environment, enabling you to provide the best possible service to those in need.