Smells In the 911 Dispatch Center: It's Pumpkin Spice Season Y'all

Posted by Ken Carson on Oct 20, 2017 3:17:44 PM

giphy-downsized (9).gifThe famous pumpkin spice flavor has made its way onto the store shelves, announcing that fall is officially here. Many people are absolutely obsessed with pumpkin spice, so this is a special time for many fall-loving folks. As a child from the ‘70s, it was Count Chocula gracing my supermarket aisles that got me excited. To this day, I still love Count Chocula.  

Speaking of pumpkin spice, recently, I read about how an entire high school was evacuated due to a plug-in pumpkin spice air freshener. I’m not sure how bad it actually smelled, but the story made me think about the many scents that lurk around a 911 dispatch center. When you work in close proximity with others for long periods of time, you’re bound to run into some strange ones.

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Topics: Fun & Morale

Warranty & Customer Service: What to Consider Before Purchasing Dispatch Furniture

Posted by Ellie Bittourna on Oct 11, 2017 4:15:29 PM

Consideration.gifThere is quite a bit of consideration involved in finding the right dispatch furniture for your center or PSAP. Most buyers base their decisions on what will bring the most long-term wellness, what will bring the most monetary value, and what will look the best. Finding a company that will provide you with comfortable, beautiful, and durable dispatch furniture is key, and having the upfront process go smoothly is the icing on the cake. Other important things to think about are how you are covered after the purchase and how easy it is to find solutions to any issues that arise going forward.

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Topics: Warranty, Dispatch, Customer Service & Troubleshooting

Xybix's Love for Canada: The Focus on Dispatch Consoles

Posted by Ken Carson on Oct 5, 2017 10:12:47 AM

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Xybix has now expanded our presence in Canada and we are pretty darn excited about it! We have grown a name for ourselves in Manitoba and Ontario over the last few years and we felt it was time to introduce our company to the other Providences. With a dedicated sales, service, installation and support team we are ready to provide the same amazing product and services to all our partners in Canada. To learn a bit more about who we are as a company and what we plan to offer Canada the best in dispatch consoles, read on below:

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Topics: Dispatch

Researching Imaging Desks: Warranty, Parts, Service, and Installation

Posted by Mike Graham on Sep 28, 2017 12:03:47 PM

Researching.gifThe decision to purchase new ergonomic imaging desks should not merely be based on the cost of the desks. Oftentimes, you truly do get what you pay for, so picking the lowest costing desk shouldn’t be your only priority.

Will your signature be on the requisition when requesting a purchase order be issued for new ergonomic sit/stand imaging desks? If the answer is yes, I don’t have to tell you that you will be receiving complaints from your colleagues in many different departments if you select desks that are subpar.

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Topics: Installation Information, Warranty, Healthcare, Dispatch, Customer Service & Troubleshooting

3 Quick Cable Management Hacks You Can Implement Now

Posted by Kathleen Utley on Sep 27, 2017 11:45:56 AM

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Cable management (or the lack thereof) is a HOT topic for public safety professionals, especially 911 dispatchers.

“Ugh, our cables just hang down.”

“ We end up unplugging things, and we can’t use our height-adjustable tables.”

These are sentiments I’ve heard time and time again. Poorly managed cables can be a recipe for disaster, even for the cleanest of Comm Centers. This can lead to stress in an already stressful environment. In recent years, several dispatch console manufacturers have made improvements to their cable management. While this is a step in the right direction, you’re probably wondering what you can do NOW instead of having to resort to purchasing new furniture.

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Topics: Features, Cleaning & Sanitation

5 Instant Stress Relief Ideas for 911 Dispatchers

Posted by A Previous Xybix Employee on Sep 21, 2017 8:44:46 AM

stress.gifPublic safety professionals work in very unique settings, and they experience an intense job flow that most working people are not used to. 911 Dispatchers are always ready and on high-alert for that next phone call. Unlike a typical office job, a 911 Dispatcher cannot always leave their desk to take a walk outside, go down to the lobby for coffee, or check out of work an hour early.

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Topics: Employee Health, Fun & Morale

Energy and Survival Tips for Night Shift Dispatchers

Posted by Amanda Schwartz on Sep 15, 2017 3:28:39 PM

giphy-downsized.gifFirst and foremost, for anyone out there working the night shift, I want to extend a huge THANK YOU for staying awake and keeping us safe. Whether you are a dispatcher, supervisor, firefighter, police officer, nurse, etc., we all know how difficult of an adjustment working odd hours is to overcome. If you find yourself losing focus, counting down the minutes until you can go home, and/or becoming delirious, you may need to adjust your approach. Sleep, nutrition, and planning are essential for keeping your mind and body alert and focused for the workplace. Here are some energy and survival tips for those of you working the night shift:

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Topics: Employee Health, Brief Overview

It’s Electric! Boogie Woogie Dispatch Workstations

Posted by Maria Teruel on Sep 8, 2017 12:34:38 PM

ElectricBoogie.gifDon’t pretend like you don’t remember the song! Unlike this catchy tune, discussing dispatch workstations electrical requirements can be forgotten about until  a few weeks prior to installation. When you’re  discussing dispatch workstation requirements during initial meetings with your sales manager, it’s important to have IT personnel present, as doing so  will help to make sure you review cabling or electrical requirements. While it might seem too soon to discuss electrical components, especially if you’re in the beginning  phases of budgeting for dispatch workstations, it’s still important to start turning the gears now. Ignoring these questions upfront could incur unwanted costs later in the event you make room changes or need to bring in an electrician.

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Topics: Features

Command Centers: Keeping Your People Happy & Motivated

Posted by Gail Gerlesits on Aug 29, 2017 4:07:48 PM

 via GIPHY

 Whether you are managing the buses 

                                                                                         throughout King County in Seattle -
 the flow of traffic in Naples, FL – the
water system at Denver International
Airport – or, the electric grid in Baton
Rouge, LA –
it all comes down to
keeping people safe and things 
working.

 

The people doing all the manning of our transportation and utilities, your operators and dispatchers, with the onslaught of more smart technology, have more monitors with more information to look at than ever. As the demands of the job increase, how do you ensure your people are healthy and happy at work?

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Topics: Employee Health, Command Centers

Dispatch Console Furniture Trends at APCO 2017

Posted by Ken Carson on Aug 23, 2017 11:56:27 AM

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via GIPHY
I usually like to do a review on all of the competitors and highlight what was new at APCO 2017. I was busy this year (busy is a good thing), so I didn’t really get to check everything out this year.  

That being said, I still took notice of overall trends that will affect what your dispatch console furniture will look like in the next few years. Here’s my two cents on what to expect in the near future:

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Topics: Features, Pricing, Dispatch