Emergency Response Portraits
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First Contact
As a street medic I never get to hear the original 911 call. By the time we get there they've been on the phone with the Dispatcher who has, more than likely, already given first aid instructions to the caller. To be honest I never really considered the stress this first call has on our dispatchers until I received so many emails and requests to do a piece for them. I've heard some scary stories from Dispatchers from all over the world that just made my toes curl. Can these types of calls trigger PTSD? I think so.
This is the first in a series of 911 Dispatcher pieces I'm going to do for my brothers and sisters who are first contact to our emergency event. Not only do they deserve recognition for the stressors of their job I also want to point out that they are our lifeline in case things go bad...and I'm sure we've all had to rely on them for help in that way.
I'm sorry it took so long, there's more to come.
Stay safe everyone.
DanSun
Lauren Coughlan
on April 12, 2015I've held my head in my hands more times than I could count. I really appreciate you recognizing us...and yes, PTSD and cumulative stress happen to us too. 12 years in and it took me a lot to finally recognize it in myself and seek out some help. Great artwork.
Travis Bottiglier
on April 7, 2015Awesome pic. I had to share it. You are very talented!
Lisa Brown
on April 7, 2015Thank you. I spent 10 years as a dispatcher until I had a major stroke after almost 3 shifts back to back in a row. On my 1st day off In all that time I had never seen any recognition of what dispatchers do until now in your art. It helps in ways you might not guess-or maybe you do :)
Myrna Harris
on March 7, 2015Thank you, this is beautiful.
Tommie McLaughlin
on March 6, 2015Thank you, you have no clue what this means to some of us.
Heather Stewart-Nimeck
on February 16, 2015Thank you!
Holly Potter
on February 16, 2015Thank you
Sean Corrigan
on February 9, 2015Thank you!!! 22 years as a volunteer Asst Fire Chief and 16 yrs as a 911 Dispatch Supervisor. Your artwork is hauntingly beautiful and shows the reality of what we do! Amazing work! Keep it up
Patty Rolens Duck
on February 8, 201526 years of dispatching under my belt but this picture sums up so many different memories of calls I have dealt with over the years. Very powerful and thank you for the recognition.
Alistair Barber
on February 8, 2015Thankyou