Ep. 35 Hurricane Ian and First Responders, including the ones we don’t see

On Being a Police Officer

Ep. 35 A special episode in reaction to the devastation of Hurricane Ian and the impact on first responders. Joining me for the second time on the podcast is Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office retired Lt. Drew Breasy to talk about this response, in particular the first responders we don’t see – the 911 Call Takers and Dispatchers, the “first” first responders as Drew calls them. Drew lives in the Tampa area which was initially in Hurricane Ian’s direct path.

Drew started his career as a Dispatcher and 911 Call Taker and later returned to the Communications Center as a lieutenant. He has insight into the very specific trauma these first first responders experience. He also continues to lobby for better treatment of Communications specialists who are categorized as clerical staff without the pay, benefits or wellness training that first responders receive. Info on how you can help is below through the 911 Saves Act.

In his 29 years in LE, Drew has seen his share of hurricanes in the Tampa area. We talk about how all first responders leave their own families and homes behind to rescue those caught in the storm, not knowing what they will return to. LE has the added challenge of policing while saving lives.

Many of the LEOs I’ve spoken to in the course of the podcast have worked through natural disasters ranging from wildfires to hurricanes, tornadoes, blizzards, earthquakes and more. It’s part of the job most of us don’t often think about. I’m glad I was able to cover some aspects of these particular challenges. And take a moment to thank all first responders, those we see, and those we don’t for what you do in extreme circumstances like this. And for what you do every day to protect the rest of us.

Drew and I also talk about the important work of Team South Florida, an all-volunteer, non-profit organization. Their primary mission is to honor and remember those Law Enforcement Officers who have been killed in the line of duty while supporting their agencies and their families. Their secondary mission is to bridge the gap between Law Enforcement and the communities they live and work in. In response to the Hurricane, Team South Florida has stepped up to support first responders through donations that cover everything from food and water, to diapers, flashlights, toiletries and other services they need.

You can find them on their website and social media and if you are so inclined, make a donation.

https://www.teamsouthflorida.org/

https://www.facebook.com/TmSouthFlorida

https://www.instagram.com/teamsouthflorida/

Twitter: @TmSouthFlorida

Here is the flyer with specific needs that Drew mentioned: https://mcusercontent.com/affe9705f31024d1058eab6f8/files/e3825dfd-b06c-4e9b-42f8-bfa44a334684/Flyer_Final.pdf

The 911 Saves Act we discussed:

The 911 SAVES Act is bipartisan legislation to reclassify 911 dispatchers from “Office and Administrative Support” to “Protective Service Occupations” in the Office of Management and Budget’s Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) catalog. Get involved by writing to your representatives in support of this legislation. Here is a press release with details:

https://torres.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/torres-fitzpatrick-include-9-1-1-saves-act-amendment-ndaa

Where to find Andrew Baxter a.k.a. Drew Breasy

Instagram: drew_breasy

Facebook: Drew Breasy Uncuffed

https://youtube.com/c/DrewBreasy

linktr.ee/Drew Breasy

LinkedIn: Andrew Baxter

Failure To Stop on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCShU5ZCwvbeFZ5zADRzrlhQ

©Abby Ellsworth [e-mail]

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