LifeLine 911
In a world where first responders face new challenges every day, LifeLine911 brings clarity, insight, and connection.
Hosted by Erica Roberts—an Emergency Communications veteran with over 20 years of frontline and training experience—this podcast dives into the issues, stories, and voices shaping the world of emergency response, with a special focus on dispatch and communications.
Whether you’re a seasoned professional or simply curious about how emergency services work, LifeLine911 offers engaging discussions, real-world stories, and answers to the questions you’ve always wanted to ask.
Have a question or want to share your story? Email us at LifeLine911Podcast@gmail.com to join the conversation.
Episodes
94 episodes
Please Stay on the Line: When 911 Can’t Answer Right Away
Few moments feel more helpless than dialing 911 and hearing a recorded message instead of a call-taker’s voice. For most people, that pause triggers fear, frustration, and uncertainty—yet behind the scenes, an entire system is working at full c...
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Season 2
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Episode 93
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29:07
When the Caller Isn’t Human: AI and the Future of 911
Artificial intelligence is reshaping entire industries, from medicine to filmmaking, but one question looms larger than most: will the public accept AI as the voice that answers their emergency call? As automation moves closer to the dispatch c...
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Season 2
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Episode 92
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31:51
On the Ballot: When Public Safety Depends on a Vote
Every election shapes a community’s future—but in small towns and rural counties, it can also decide who shows up when someone dials 911. On November 4, 2025, voters across the United States cast ballots on measures that directly impact fire, p...
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Season 2
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Episode 91
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27:48
Fire Up the Roof: The Hidden Cost of Lights and Sirens
Every emergency starts with a sound—the rising wail of sirens cutting through traffic and tension alike. “Fire up the roof” has become shorthand for urgency, for life-and-death moments where seconds matter. But behind the flashing lights lies a...
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Season 2
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Episode 90
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34:22
Revolutionizing First Responder Training: American Emergency Preparedness Goes Online - Part 2
American Emergency Preparedness (AEP) is transforming the way first responders train. Known for high-quality emergency preparedness courses, AEP is now bringing its expertise online—making it easier than ever for 9-1-1 Operators, Dispatchers an...
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Season 2
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Episode 89
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35:23
Revolutionizing First Responder Training: American Emergency Preparedness Goes Online - Part 1
American Emergency Preparedness (AEP) is transforming the way first responders train. Known for high-quality emergency preparedness courses, AEP is now bringing its expertise online—making it easier than ever for 9-1-1 Operators, Dispatchers an...
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Season 2
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Episode 88
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42:56
No Officer Left Behind: Why Law Enforcement Depends on Each Other
In law enforcement, trust isn’t just a principle—it’s a lifeline. When officers from different agencies respond to a crisis, they rely on one another to have their backs. On October 4, 2025, in Chicago, a tense situation unfolded that highlight...
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Season 2
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Episode 87
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28:13
Starting Late, Serving Strong: Dispatcher Barbara Farris on Finding Purpose in Law Enforcement
Barbara Farris has served as a police dispatcher for the past 15 months — but unlike many who enter public safety early in life, Barbara began her law enforcement journey later than most. In this episode of LifeLine911, Barbara shares what it’s...
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Season 2
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Episode 86
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43:07
From Badge to Beyond: Supporting the Transition Out of Law Enforcement with Chris Howell
After seven years in law enforcement, Chris Howell took a new path—joining Flock Security to help others navigate the same transition. Now in his second year with Flock, Chris runs a unique “peer support” program that provides guidance, r...
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Season 2
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Episode 85
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44:50
The Role of Critical Thinking in Emergency Communications
Critical thinking is more than just a buzzword—it is the foundation of sound decision-making in emergency communications. In this episode, we explore what critical thinking truly means for first responders, why it is essential in high-pressure ...
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Season 2
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Episode 84
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24:23
Owning the Error: The Power of Humility in Emergency Response
Admitting mistakes is never easy. It challenges pride, ego, and identity — yet it remains the most vital step toward growth. For first responders, the stakes are even higher: errors can mean the difference between life and death. In this episod...
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Season 2
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Episode 83
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24:53
From TikTok to Telecommunicator: Gen Z in Emergency Dispatch
Born between 1997 and 2012, Generation Z is stepping into the workforce — including the world of emergency communications. Shaped by pandemics, social media, and a digital-first lifestyle, this 69-million-strong generation brings both challenge...
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Season 2
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Episode 82
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34:01
Modernizing 9-1-1: Idaho’s Push for Better Emergency Communications
Every year, millions of 9-1-1 calls pour into centers across the U.S. In 2023 alone, Idaho answered over four million of them. But outdated systems in parts of the state made a tough job even harder for the dedicated telecommunicators on the ot...
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Season 2
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Episode 81
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40:33
Leadership Without Experience: Can It Work in 9-1-1?
Leadership is often defined by qualities such as integrity, transparency, diligence, and sound judgment—traits that transcend industries. Yet in specialized fields, like emergency communications, one question remains: are these universal skills...
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Season 2
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Episode 80
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35:24
Ep 79 - Superstitions
In this episode of LifeLine911, we dive into one of the most infamous taboos in the culture of emergency services: the words you should never say on shift. Why do terms like "calm", "slow", or the dreaded "quiet" send shivers through dispatch c...
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Season 2
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Episode 79
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28:13
Ep 79 - Superstitions Trailer
LifeLine911 episode 79 - Superstitions will be out Monday, August 25, 2025 at 05:00 eastern! Tune in!
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0:35
Ep 78 - Delegated Authority
When a dispatcher gives a unit in the field a direction, such as respond to the call, why does the police officer, medic, or firefighter listen to them, especially when the dispatcher is a civilian? This is because of delegated authority, which...
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Season 2
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Episode 78
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32:06
Ep 77 - Bronze Level Operators
The ideal emergency call takers and dispatchers are efficient and effective at their jobs, always paying attention to the screens, listening to the slightest change in voice from the callers and officers in the field. But not every operator can...
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Season 2
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Episode 77
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37:11
Ep 76 - School Safety with Versaterm CaseWorX for Schools
Of all the groups of people that society works to protect, perhaps none is more important than children. They serve as society's future and promise. To paraphrase President John F Kenney, "Children are the world's most valuable resource and it'...
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Season 2
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Episode 76
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43:49
Ep 75 - Be Thankful for What You Have
In the first responder life, it is always important to be strive to have the best equipement, training, and resources available. But if you try and keep up with the Jones' (i.e. other agencies) you'll always find yourself lacking in some regard...
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Season 2
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Episode 75
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27:46
Ep 74 - Tactical vs Critical Dispatching
Emergency operators are often faced with a myriad of challenges throughout each shift they work; from the routine to the exceptional. These calls, while they might seem quite difference on the surface, are all really worked with the same fundam...
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Season 2
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Episode 74
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43:58
Ep 73 - Entitlements
Employee perks can range from picking a time to go to lunch, to preferences on parking; they are generally smaller things that can add up to a lot to make the employees feel appreciated for their hard work. But, when these perks become entrench...
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Season 2
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Episode 73
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39:15
Ep 72 - Strikes in the City of Brotherly Love
On July 1, 2025 at 12:01 am, the unionized city workers of the City of Philadelphia went on strike to protest for better wages and conditions. While the merits of units and strikes and general, and public sectors unions in particular, is its ow...
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Season 2
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Episode 72
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49:44
Ep 71 - Slings & Arrows
In the emergency communication profession, 9-1-1 operators and dispatchers will often times receive a battering from irate callers who speak with them in a less than civil manner. Expletives, derisive comments, and cruel remarks are among the i...
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Season 2
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Episode 71
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34:13
Ep 70 - The "Blunt" Truth
Every day, 9-1-1 telecommunicators answer calls from individuals under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol. These calls are often unpredictable, emotional, and at times dangerous - not only for the caller but for the responders en route. Call...
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Season 2
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Episode 70
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38:58
