Cumulative PTSD and its Effects on the Dispatch Environment

Wednesday, August 10, 2022

3:30 PM – 4:30 PM

Location: Anaheim Convention Center, 303 A-B

CE: 1 CEU

Main Presenter(s)

Shannon Polito, Advanced POST, POST IDI certified Intermediate Instructor, BA in Psychology, BA in Addiction Studies, MA in Theology

Communications Dispatcher III/Instructor/Wellness Lead
Santa Clara County Communications
Felton, California

Presentation Description: The impact Cumulative PTSD has on emergency dispatchers is significant. Left unrecognized and unaddressed, a dispatcher's physical, mental and emotional health can be adversely impacted in both the long and short term. These detrimental effects can play a significant role not only in diminished life satisfaction, but also contributes to low morale and motivation in the work environment which directly impacts the ability to retain staffing. Students will learn not only how to identify Cumulative PTSD in their own life, but how to mitigate its negative impact and how to make positive choices for their lives in all areas.

Learning Objectives:

Participants will gain an understanding of what Cumulative PTSD is and can then feel more confident in being mindful of the symptoms and how they might present in their own lives and/or lives of their coworkers.
Those attending will gain a practical and approachable method to identifying how they are feeling, how it can affect their personal and work lives, and how to appropriately process those feelings.
Following the session, attendees will be able to move past the theoretical aspect of information presented, and identify reasonable steps to take in their individual lives to strengthen their own wellness.