Category Archives: Dispatching

Who Are We? The Unseen and Unsung Heroes of Emergency Services: Dispatchers

Posted on January 28, 2025 by Arlene Pretty

This article was originally written in about 2001 by my husband Ed Pretty, Battalion Chief and career firefighter. He has asked me to post it. The “Who Are We?” he makes reference to at the end was written by anonymous. … Continue reading →

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Who Am I – Author Unknown

Posted on September 1, 2020 by Arlene Pretty

This was given to me by a fellow I worked with. He saw it in a magazine years ago. The author was unknown at the time, still is. I changed it to pertain to Surrey Fire Service and we gave … Continue reading →

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A Day in the Life of a Rookie Dispatcher

Posted on August 31, 2020 by Arlene Pretty

Fire! So late, so quiet.  The 24-hour clock reads 0317.  Three stamping time clocks acknowledge each minute out of unison.  Otherwise, silence.  Suddenly the alarm cuts and jump – starts my heart.  I grab the line. “Fire Department Emergency.”  So firm, so … Continue reading →

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What is a Fireman? Good Question.

Posted on August 23, 2020 by Arlene Pretty

I’m not sure where or when I got this, so I’ve no one to give credit to, but it is worth sharing again. Obviously it is old enough that the term Fireman still worked. Now of course, it is firefighter, … Continue reading →

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