LifeLine 911

LifeLine

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.

  1. 3D AGO

    Has Mental Health Progress in 9-1-1 Actually Worked? Peer Support, Time Off & The Remaining Stigma

    Send us Fan Mail Over the last several years, the 9-1-1 and first responder world has seen a major shift in how we talk about mental health. The old stigma of being “weak,” “soft,” or “feckless” for struggling after traumatic calls has slowly given way to peer support programs, paid mental health days, counseling services, and more open conversations. But here’s the real question: Is any of it actually working? On this episode of LifeLine 911, we take an honest look at the progress — and the gaps — in mental health support for emergency telecommunicators and first responders. If you’re a 911 call-taker, police dispatcher, or supervisor who’s seen both the old “suck it up” culture and the new wellness initiatives, this is a no-fluff conversation about what’s actually making a difference on the floor. Real talk from people who’ve lived it — because the job hasn’t gotten any easier, and our mental health can’t be an afterthought. Drop your thoughts in the comments: Has mental health support improved where you work, or does it still feel like lip service? LifeLine 911 – By dispatchers, for dispatchers. #911Dispatcher #MentalHealthForDispatchers #PeerSupport #FirstResponderMentalHealth #TelecommunicatorWellness #911Life As always, if you have any questions or comments on the show, or you would like to connect with us, please send us an email to LifeLine911Podcast@gmail.com. Support the show

    48 min

  2. APR 27

    Drones & Robots Saving Lives in 911 Responses – Coitt Kessler on the Future of Public Safety, Part 2

    Send us Fan Mail In a structural collapse, every second counts, and sending humans in too early can cost lives. Today, public safety is turning to drones and ground robots to go where it's too dangerous for people. On this episode of LifeLine 911, we sit down with Coitt Kessler, a 21-year Austin Fire Department veteran, Robotics Emergency Deployment (RED) Team leader, and national voice on public safety robotics. From the streets of Austin to the national stage, Coitt has been on the front lines of integrating drones and tactical robots into real emergency response. Whether you're a call-taker feeding intel to the field, a dispatcher coordinating resources, or a supervisor preparing your center for evolving technology, this conversation gives you practical insight into the tools that are already reshaping emergency response. As always, if you have any questions or comments on the show, or you would like to connect with us, please send us an email to LifeLine911Podcast@gmail.com. Support the show

    36 min

  3. APR 20

    Drones & Robots Saving Lives in 911 Responses – Coitt Kessler on the Future of Public Safety, Part 1

    Send us Fan Mail In a structural collapse, every second counts, and sending humans in too early can cost lives. Today, public safety is turning to drones and ground robots to go where it's too dangerous for people. On this episode of LifeLine 911, we sit down with Coitt Kessler, a 21-year Austin Fire Department veteran, Robotics Emergency Deployment (RED) Team leader, and national voice on public safety robotics. From the streets of Austin to the national stage, Coitt has been on the front lines of integrating drones and tactical robots into real emergency response. Whether you're a call-taker feeding intel to the field, a dispatcher coordinating resources, or a supervisor preparing your center for evolving technology, this conversation gives you practical insight into the tools that are already reshaping emergency response. As always, if you have any questions or comments on the show, or you would like to connect with us, please send us an email to LifeLine911Podcast@gmail.com. Support the show

    33 min

  4. APR 13

    Calling All Heroes - Part 2

    Send us Fan Mail In this episode of LifeLine 911, and to commemorate National Public Safety Telecommunicators' Week 2026, we have invited on two special guests, whose recent work has highlighted in a wonderful way the stories of the everyday heroes who wear the headset.  Nichole Moore serves as the executive vice president and Juliana Krueger serves as a marketing communications specialist of Diverse Computing, a software company which strives to bring tools to public safety. They have recently published a new book entitled Calling All Heroes which captures dozens of stories written by emergency telecommunicators throughout the country. These brief, myriad, and sometimes intense vignettes of real life as a 9-1-1 operator or dispatcher showcase the tremendous work, skill, and love that goes into the profession to answer the call for help.  You can find a copy of the book on Amazon at https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FLF7PJY6?ref_=cm_sw_r_ffobk_cp_ud_dp_SJZV1D2E921WAW9RPYP2&bestFormat=true Calling All Heroes Homepage: https://www.diversecomputing.com/calling-all-heroes-home NPSTW 2026 Giveaway and Story Submission Form (Open April 12-18, 2026): https://woorise.com/diversecomputing/calling-all-heroes-giveaway-2026 Year-Round Story Submission Form: https://woorise.com/diversecomputing/calling-all-heroes-share-your-story  https://www.diversecomputing.com/ As always, if you have any questions or comments on the show, or you would like to connect with us, please send us an email to LifeLine911Podcast@gmail.com. Support the show

    33 min

  5. APR 6

    Calling All Heroes - Part 1

    Send us Fan Mail In this episode of LifeLine 911, and to commemorate National Public Safety Telecommunicators' Week 2026, we have invited on two special guests, whose recent work has highlighted in a wonderful way the stories of the everyday heroes who wear the headset.  Nichole Moore serves as the executive vice president and Juliana Krueger serves as a marketing communications specialist of Diverse Computing, a software company which strives to bring tools to public safety. They have recently published a new book entitled Calling All Heroes which captures dozens of stories written by emergency telecommunicators throughout the country. These brief, myriad, and sometimes intense vignettes of real life as a 9-1-1 operator or dispatcher showcase the tremendous work, skill, and love that goes into the profession to answer the call for help.  You can find a copy of the book on Amazon at https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FLF7PJY6?ref_=cm_sw_r_ffobk_cp_ud_dp_SJZV1D2E921WAW9RPYP2&bestFormat=true Calling All Heroes Homepage: https://www.diversecomputing.com/calling-all-heroes-home NPSTW 2026 Giveaway and Story Submission Form (Open April 12-18, 2026): https://woorise.com/diversecomputing/calling-all-heroes-giveaway-2026 Year-Round Story Submission Form: https://woorise.com/diversecomputing/calling-all-heroes-share-your-story  https://www.diversecomputing.com/ As always, if you have any questions or comments on the show, or you would like to connect with us, please send us an email to LifeLine911Podcast@gmail.com. Support the show

    34 min

  6. MAR 30

    Critical Care Leadership: Antonio Ottavianai on Best Practices, Struggles, and The Line and the Oath

    Send us Fan Mail Antonio Ottaviani has spent 8 years as a medic and 5 years as a critical care medic; right in the heart of emergency response. Now he’s channeling that front-line experience into his brand-new podcast, The Line and the Oath, which launched this month and dives deep into the real issues facing law enforcement, fire, medical, and military personnel. In this episode of LifeLine 911, Antonio joins us to talk about what actually works (and what doesn’t) in first responder leadership. From the 9-1-1 call-taker’s headset to the back of the ambulance and the firehouse kitchen table, we explore the leadership struggles that every agency faces, and the practical best practices that can save careers, improve morale, and ultimately save lives. Whether you’re a dispatcher, call-taker, paramedic, firefighter, or law enforcement professional, this conversation delivers straight-talk insights you won’t hear in standard training. If you’re tired of the same old “leadership” buzzwords and want real-world strategies from someone who’s still in the fight, this episode is for you. 🎙️ New episodes of LifeLine 911 drop weekly. Focused on 9-1-1 communications, police dispatching, and the full spectrum of first responder excellence. 👉 Subscribe, rate, and share so we can keep amplifying the voices that protect our communities every single shift. #FirstResponders #Leadership #EMS #911Dispatcher #CriticalCare The Line & the Oath website https://www.thelineandtheoath.com/ Podcast out now and available across all platforms where podcasts are hosted. Check it out! As always, if you have any questions or comments on the show, or you would like to connect with us, please send us an email to LifeLine911Podcast@gmail.com. Support the show

    45 min

  7. MAR 23

    Resilience on the Line

    Send us Fan Mail Workplace stress is universal, but for emergency telecommunicators the stakes are profoundly higher. Each shift can carry moments of trauma, urgency, and emotional weight that linger long after the headset comes off. This episode examines the psychological toll of the profession and the practical strategies that help professionals recover, adapt, and return stronger to the console. As always, if you have any questions or comments on the show, or you would like to connect with us, please send us an email to LifeLine911Podcast@gmail.com. Support the show

    28 min

  8. MAR 16

    Trust Your 9-1-1 Training: Dealing with Catastrophic Calls

    Send us Fan Mail When catastrophe strikes without warning, doubt is often the first adversary. From mass-casualty incidents to rapidly evolving threats, emergency communicators must rely on preparation, discipline, and composure. This episode examines the moments that test the limits of human performance—and why training remains the most reliable lifeline. As always, if you have any questions or comments on the show, or you would like to connect with us, please send us an email to LifeLine911Podcast@gmail.com. Support the show

    32 min
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Trailer

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
4 Ratings

About

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.

Information

  • Creator
    LifeLine
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    113
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 LifeLine 911
  • Show Website
    LifeLine 911

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