This news item expired on Wednesday, May 31, 2023 so the information below could be outdated or incorrect.
National Public Safety Telecommunications Week is April 9-15, and Buncombe County is celebrating by profiling some of our 911 dispatch team. The demands of Public Safety Telecommunications make it a challenging and rewarding job. Being the first, first responder takes a special type of person, and Buncombe County is proud to highlight some of our amazing 911 staff in their own words. Thanks to all our Public Safety Telecommunicators for your dedication to helping keep our community safe.
Interested in joining the County’s Public Safety Telecommunications Team? Click here for more information.
Name: Blaire Slider
Position: Communications Supervisor
Years as a Public Safety Telecommunicator:
Almost 5 years with Buncombe County (September) and 10 years prior experience in Cape Coral, FL with a total of 14 years and 6 months combined.
What made you want to become a Public Safety Telecommunicator?To be honest, I never knew anything about the public safety/dispatch world until I started working in the field. I was a recent nursing school dropout who had no idea what I was going to do with my life when a complete stranger told me I would make a good dispatcher and gave me the information on how to apply. So, I applied (still not having the slightest clue as to what it was I was applying for, LOL) and here I am, almost 15 years later, loving my career!
What is your favorite part of the job?
My favorite part of this job is the ability to help the community behind the scenes. I really enjoy the low-key aspect of this field and love that I can provide lifesaving assistance to others without leaving my desk! I also work with a really great group of coworkers with the same perspective.
What is a misconception of your job?
I think the biggest misconception of my job is that a lot of the public thinks we are the ones responding to each call.
What would you like the public to know about your job?
I would like for the public to understand that the questions we ask do not slow down the first responders and are extremely helpful in providing efficient lifesaving responses.