We all know that funding for even the smallest of items can feel like it takes an act of Congress or the signatures of our Four Fathers. And, we all know that keeping employees motivated and positive is an additional struggle. So when you try and do something to boost morale, such as introduce health accessories (i.e. a treadmill or bike) into the workplace, it can often feel like you’re met with road block after road block. Fortunately, there may be a solution out there that can help curb the funding hurdle.

Motivation and overall morale in the dispatch center are difficult to maintain and with the encroaching holidays, one thing is for certain, 911 dispatchers are called to be at the top of their game. Holidays can be a very busy time for 911; burnout, sickness and just genuine lack of motivation can be huge problems causing 911 centers everywhere to struggle. Nothing can replace giving up time with family or friends over the holidays. So, what can you do to help motivate and maybe inspire your dispatchers this holiday season?

Stress is a very sensitive and very real subject for many 911 dispatchers. And while it is not my intention to try for a minute to understand the dealings with that you must go through in your profession, I think that the idea of stress in a dispatch center has a very real effect on your health and well-being. With health becoming a topic of great importance in the 911 industry, as sensative of a subject it might be, I feel it is worth blogging about. Coping with stress can happen on many different levels and we all deal with it a different way. When stress effects our personal health learning how to cope with it in a productive way can make all the difference.

Treats are pretty common around a 911 Comm Center or any office during the Halloween season.  So I thought, maybe we could add a healthy spin to the treats we all know we will eat. Bringing healthy ideas and initiatives to your next office pot luck or event gathering doesn’t have to be scary. It can be fun and rewarding for both you and your co-workers. Here are three phases to a creepy plan of bringing better health into a workplace near you.

In today’s world, everyone has seen the studies on standing at your desk. They are EVERYWHERE! Seriously. They are in the New York Times,  Forbes , Huffington Post , and Smithsonian Magazine, just to name a few. Don’t worry; in case you have been living off the grid for the last three years, I have linked to a couple of the articles.

I am new to this industry, and I keep hearing all of the buzz about being able to stand up while working. I have even heard that sitting is the new smoking (very interesting)! I hear people at tradeshows tell me how interested they are in adding a treadmill desks or bikes desks to their current configurations, but they don’t think they will get approved due to the lack of funds (which is understandable), the potential for falls and accidents, or the possibility that the exercise equipment will sit in the corner and collect dust. All of these are valid reasons for one to be hesitant, but let’s just say that after my very brief search on the internet, I am now able to inform you about a few benefits that can occur when you add these amazing tools to your office.

I don’t know about you, but, love the idea of packing a healthy meal on the go! So why not pack a mason jar? This antiquated food vessel makes for quick and easy grab and go. The best part is, you don’t have to worry about forgetting any of the ingredients and its leak proof! (Because I SPILL EVERYTHING (no seriously)). There are so many healthy ideas from salads to soups, quiches, desserts. What I really wanted to know was, how. How...? How do I do that?

With the rigorous demands of a 911 dispatch job, the tedious, long hours and the sedentary work, it’s understandable that many dispatchers use caffeine as a mere means of survival. Let’s face it, the majority of the population leans on caffeine as a crutch to get through the work days and week! Whether it’s Starbucks, Dunkin' Donuts, Caribou Coffee, diet soda or energy drinks, caffeine is what we all crave.

In my past life I worked in outside sales and was pretty active; I later accepted a position requiring me to sit at a desk for the majority of my working day. If anyone had told me then, in the nineties, that sitting at a desk all day could be hazardous to your health, they certainly wouldn’t have been taken very seriously.

Trade show floors can be intimidating and a bit overwhelming. After all, APCO 2015 is one of the largest, if not the largest, trade shows for public safety professionals all year. And, whether you’re a Supervisor, Director, Dispatcher, or Manager, odds are that you’ve got a pretty busy week planned for Washington, DC. Hustling from one session to another, and obviously coming back to your agency with some key take-aways! Trust me, we know the drill.

So, let us help you by giving you 3 great reasons why you shouldn’t come by Xybix’s booth at APCO: