Ergonomics. It’s one of those words we hear thrown around a lot, and we know it’s important, but what does it actually mean? And why should we care?

I must admit, 5 years ago, when I first started working for Xybix, I couldn’t have given you the definition, or even explained why having something be “ergonomically correct” was important. I knew it was, “something about being healthy, or something to do with your posture.” At the time, I was a slouchy 20-something. I was young, and therefore felt that ergonomics did not apply to me. Maybe it was something my grandparents needed? I was constantly being told to stand up straight anyway, and I figured I didn’t need something else reminding me. Sound familiar?

If you are thinking about new 911 consoles and workstations for a new emergency dispatch center, I urge you to start thinking 10 years into the future. What will the community need over this time period? Will there be increases in call volume and texting? Will the center need to add additional workstations or hire more people? These are important questions to consider, especially when you’re making an investment in the safety of your community.

As Xybix’s West Coast Territory Manager, I’m very fortunate to be able to visit various comm centers when I’m traveling on business. The opportunity to drop by these centers, meet new people and learn about their needs is something I can personally relate to — I also work as a communications supervisor for a police department.

Many times, when I’m speaking with a dispatch manager, we not only talk about the center’s need for reliable workstations, but also its computer-aided dispatch (CAD) and phone systems. I’m always interested to hear what works for them. But the one thing I notice time and again is that many dispatchers still use multiple computer mice at their workstations. When I see this, I don’t hesitate to ask, "Do you utilize a KVM switch in your dispatch center?" Believe it or not, some agencies have never even heard of them!

With that in mind, let me explain what a KVM switch is and how it can help organize your workstations while enhancing the performance of the dispatchers in your center.

When public safety agencies upgrade their communication centers, they often need (or want) to replace their existing console furniture, as well. Because of state, federal and local laws, many comm center managers put out a Request for Proposal (RFP) or an Invitation for Bid (IFB) to get the process started. But, that isn’t always necessary. If local laws allow, there are several purchasing contracts that you may be able to use instead. 

Purchasing from a contract, or piggy-backing is often easier than creating an RFP or going out to BID, it also creates a WIN-WIN situation for the purchasing agency. The two contracts described below help create this WIN-WIN scenario by allowing state and government agencies to purchase directly from a pre-approved, reputable supplier without having to go out to bid.  

Here are two common contracts, and the benefits of using them over an RFP or IFB.

Re-designing your current 911 dispatch center or designing a new comm center can be challenging. On top of the aesthetic and ergonomic planning — what we like to call the fun stuff — you’re also going to need to take Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requirements and building codes into account. These can seem complicated at first, but don’t get discouraged! We recommend hiring a professional designer who can help you along the way. Professional designers know all about ADA requirements, clearances and other building codes you need to plan for so you don’t end up with costly changes or a lawsuit down the road.

All of us have days where you can hardly find time to think, let alone squeeze in a workout. The phones won’t stop ringing, deadlines are looming, and somehow you choose today to leave your lunch on your kitchen counter. When days like these happen, you tend to forget all about the treadmill or the bicycle desks that your company has been nice enough to purchase. Heck, sometimes you even forget to stand up!

Xybix Designer, Rebecca Cassidy and I happen to be grouped together in an office panel system, and we have decided not to let those hectic days/weeks get the best of us. So once an hour throughout each workday, we get up and do something active for about 30 seconds. When you’re logging a 9-hour workday, these small moments add up to about 4 minutes and 30 seconds of overall activity. Not bad!

Dustmites. Influenza. Common cold. Montezuma’s Revenge (OK, maybe that one’s a little dramatic). If you’ve ever been inside a dispatch center or spoken with dispatchers, you know one of their biggest complaints is that they work in a "petri dish". And in some ways, they do. The reality is that anywhere you find groups of humans working, eating and sneezing, you’ll find extra supplies of germs, viruses and more.

So how can Comm Center Managers combat the swarm of bacteria that constantly invade office environments? Believe it or not, outfitting your dispatch center with certain workstation materials can play an essential role in keeping these pesky goobers at bay.

Ralph Waldo Emerson once said that if you build a better mousetrap, the world will beat a path to your door. When it comes to business and innovation, the “better mousetrap” can be a metaphor for any number of things. Quality, price, features, service, and delivery, among others, can all factor into a decision of what to buy, when to buy, or whether to buy at all. To sum it up, for consumers in the 911 industry, purchasing decisions really come down to one thing: value.

Here at Xybix, we’re passionate about bringing health and wellness to dispatch and command center environments. We also understand that there are still a lot of misconceptions about incorporating healthy habits into the workplace. Fortunately, for the headband-wearing Olivia Newton-John's in all of us, it’s easier than ever to experience the impact and benefits of getting fit on the job. With that said, we’re here to give you the information you need to ensure that the healthy efforts of employers and employees are not overlooked.

If you read our recent blog post on healthier 911 dispatcher food options, you may have noticed that our Marketing Director, Kathleen, mentioned to avoid take-out. I wholeheartedly agree with this. But the thing is, it can be hard! There are only so many hours in the day, and some days, despite our best intentions, we simply don’t have time to pack a lunch. As a regional sales rep, this happens to me every day I am on the road (which is a lot). When you don’t have time to pack healthy, you tend to reach for the quickest option — or perhaps from the same place a co-worker is ordering from. But many times, there are healthier choices. Let this be your guide!