Exercise for Emergency

Dispatchers Proposal

“To Protect and Serve”

For: Milpitas Police Department

By: Andrew Corpuz
 TABLE OF CONTENTS

Executive Summary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Problem . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Project Description . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3
Cost Analysis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Assessment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Conclusion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Appendix (A): Memo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7
Works Cited . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . .8
 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Stress of an Emergency Dispatcher

In 2013, being an emergency dispatcher was ranked the 13th most stressful job in America.
Emergency dispatchers can answer calls for up to 12 hours a day. These calls can range from
people experiencing a medical emergency such as a heart attack, to acts of violence such as
shootings or even self-harm. Due to the high-stress environment, there is a significant amount of
burnout among emergency dispatchers.

Proposed Action
Our program aims to decrease the amount of burnout within our 911 dispatchers by ensuring
they get time during the day for physical activity. An hour and a half should be allotted for every
911 dispatcher, that is working shift of 8 hours or more so that they have time in their workday to
get physically active. To further incentivize the program, every month with have feature unique
fitness challenges where dispatchers can compete to see who can complete the most challenges.
Times allotted will be staggered to ensure the dispatch room is not understaffed at any point of
the day.

Proposed Benefits
The program seeks to improve productivity and reduce burnout. Research has shown that
exercising regularly can improve not only one’s physical state but also their mental state. By
improving dispatcher’s overall health, it will ensure they can alleviate stress from work, which
will help contribute to lower burnout. Reduced burnout can also help provide a lower turnover
rate for dispatchers, which will save the city and the department money due to decreased
spending on recruiting and training.
Studies have also proven that exercise can help improve an employee’s level of productivity.
Dispatchers work in life or death situations throughout the day; by ensuring regular exercise,
they will be more effective and efficient while aiding the community through emergencies.

1 Milpitas Police Department is a local department here in the Bay Area. They are committed to the protection of
lives and property within their community.

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 PROBLEM AND NECESSITY

Burnout Amongst Emergency Dispatchers

Burnout for emergency dispatchers is high across the nation. It is estimated that 40% of
emergency dispatchers experience high levels of burnout; this is double the rate of workers in
other fields. Burnout can lead to a decrease in productivity, poor health, and exhaustion. 20% of
911 dispatchers that quit their position list burnout as their main reason for leaving.
The cause of the high burnout is due to the high-level stress environment that comes inherently
with the job. There is, unfortunately, no way to prevent the stress and anxiety dispatchers’
experiences on the job, but steps can be taken to help cope with and release the stress. High
burnout has been linked to a higher turnover rate, which can lead to organizations having to pay
more for recruiting and training.

Yearly Turn Over Percentage

30%

25%

20%
17%

15%

10%

5%

0%
Private Industry 911 Dispatcher Teachers Government Jobs

Solution
The solution in this proposal will help combat the stress emergency dispatchers experience and
can lower the burnout rate. By allowing employees to exercise regularly, it will benefit their
overall personal health and combat the high burnout commonly experienced by dispatchers. This
will then help reduce turnover and increase productivity.

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 PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

Exercise for Emergency Dispatchers

Our program is focused on increasing the amount of physical activity for 911 dispatchers to
achieve better physical and mental health while at the same time reducing burn out. For every 8-
hour shift or more, 911 dispatchers will be encouraged to spend an hour and a half of their shift
to use the gym room. The gym contains the necessary equipment for any workout, ranging from
treadmills to weightlifting equipment. The program will offer unique monthly fitness challenges
to promote friendly competition and create an incentive to use the allotted time for exercise.

Proposed Benefits
Studies have found that exercise can lead to greater positive well-being, reduced levels of stress,
and lower rates of exhaustion. All these benefits translate to lower burnout rates and higher
levels of productivity. Dispatchers will be more effective at work, and the city will see savings in
the recruiting process due to lower turnover.

Integration
To ensure a successful integration process, department heads and supervisors will be tasked to
schedule a period during the day when a dispatcher can exercise. The purpose of this oversight is
to ensure that the dispatch room is never understaffed at any point in the day. This will ensure no
one will be working more as a result of people spending time to exercise.

Positive Effects on Triple Bottom Line

People:
• Physical activity will promote a healthy lifestyle
• Better mental health will ensure lower levels of stress and exhaustion
• Lower burnout rates
Profit:
• Lower rate of turnover
• Reduced spending on recruiting process
• Increased productivity from dispatchers

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 COST ANALYSIS

Direct Cost
An advantage the program has is that there are no direct costs associated with it. The police
department has a fully equipped gym in the basement that is free to use for employees. There is
no extra cost for department heads and supervisors to plan when an employee can use the
facility. There are no travel costs associated with the program.

Indirect Costs
There are some indirect costs as a result of the program. The first indirect costs are ensuring the
gym equipment is well maintained and managed. On average, the yearly cost to maintain the
gym is $1,500. This entails replacing any broken or old equipment and ensuring current
equipment is well maintained. The second cost is the time that could be used for working instead
of physical activity. The average hourly wage for a 911 dispatcher is $50 and the program allows
for employees to have an hour and a half for exercise. These costs are reflected below in the
table.
Category Description Cost per Unit Quantity Total Cost
Indirect Costs
Gym Maintnance (Yearly) $ 1,500.00 1.00 $ 1,500.00
Work Hours Used for Exercise (Hourly) $ 50.00 1.50 $ 75.00
Estimated Total Costs $ 1,575.00

Return on Investment
The return from the program is the increased level of productivity and lower turn over rate.
Studies have found that exercise can increase work concentration by 21% and motivation by
41%. This will help ensure dispatchers are working at their highest capacity and can therefore
help 911 callers more effectively and efficiently. Which is important because 911 dispatchers are
the bridge that connects the public and the emergency services they may require.
Lower turnover will ensure that the department and the city government can save money on the
recruiting and training of dispatchers because employees will be less likely to leave. Data shows
that the training of a single dispatcher can reach prices of up to $50,000. This is a big expense
that can easily be avoided by trying to reduce the burnout rate which will then decrease turnover.

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 ASSESSMENT STRATEGY

Short Term Intended Outcomes

1. Increased productivity and motivation due to regular exercise.
2. Lower levels of stress and anxiety due to the stress relieving affects of exercise.

Long Term Intended Outcomes

1. Improved physical and mental health which can help increase productivity.
2. Lower burnout and turnover rates which can help the city and department save money on
recruiting and training.

Ensuring Intended Results

1. Using surveys to ask employees if the program has improved their mental and physical
state.
2. Surveys should track the level of burnout employees are experiencing over the course of
the first year of implementation. Surveys should be issued monthly to track progress and
see if there is a significant decline in burn out.
3. Police department should track the turnover rate of emergency dispatchers over a long
period of time after implementation of the program. The purpose is to observe if the
program can reduce the turnover rate of emergency dispatchers to ensure less spending
on recruiting and training of dispatchers

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 CONCLUSION

Our program allows 911 dispatchers to use an hour and a half of their shift for physical activity
and offers unique monthly challenges to incentivize employees to exercise. The purpose of this
program is to improve the mental and physical health of our 911 dispatchers, which will, in turn,
reduce the high levels of burnout often experienced by dispatchers.
Helping employees experience lower levels of burnout is advantageous to the department. It will
ensure dispatchers are working to their best capabilities and a lower turnover rate, which will
reduce spending on recruiting and training.
The program seeks to help dispatchers cope with the naturally stressful environment of the job.
Dispatchers have to work with people experiencing emergencies every day. Calls can range from
people experiencing medical emergencies to serious acts of violence. By ensuring our
dispatchers are receiving the attention and help they need, it will ensure our employees are in a
healthy state and are effective in assisting the public.

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 APPENDIX: A

TO: Dispatch Department Head

FROM: Andrew Corpuz
DATE: Feb. 20, 2020
SUBJECT: Exercise for Emergency Dispatchers

Dear Department Head,

I am ecstatic to announce the creation of our Exercise for Emergency Dispatchers program! The
program is aimed at helping 911 dispatchers stay mentally and physically fit which is essential
due to the high stress work environment.

Form this point forward, please schedule a time emergency dispatcher can use the gym for an
hour and a half out of their shift every day. This is allowed for dispatchers that are working an 8-
hour shift or more. Please ensure that the scheduling process is well thought out so that the
dispatch room is never understaffed.

Actions Being Taken:

1. Allow dispatchers to use the gym for an hour and a half a day.
2. Have unique monthly challenges to promote friendly competition and incentivize
physical activity.
3. Schedule these times to ensure there is no understaffing
Purpose:
1. To allow for a healthier physical and mental state
2. To increase productivity
3. To decrease burnout and turnover
Benefits:
1. Dispatchers are more effective and efficient while working.
2. Low levels of stress and anxiety.
3. Lower recruiting and training costs due to lower turn over.

Best,

Andrew Corpuz

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 WORKS CITIED
Cannon, B. (2018, June 3). How to Increase Your Productivity by 21% with Exercise. Retrieved
from https://productivityist.com/increase-productivity-21-exercise/
Police. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.ci.milpitas.ca.gov/milpitas/departments/police/
Study Finds 911 Dispatchers Are Near The Top For 'Stressful' Jobs. (2014, February 15).
Retrieved from https://www.greenevillesun.com/news/study-finds-dispatchers-are-near-
the-top-for-stressful-jobs/article_bedebc8d-4809-5b18-929f-25e9ce4cc06c.html
Taylor, M., Gardner, V., Clark, P., & McCombs, B. (2005, August). STAFFING AND
RETENTION IN PUBLIC SAFETY COMMUNICATION CENTERS. Retrieved from
https://retains.apcointl.org/pdf/Effective_Practices_Guide.pdf
Team, C. C. (2012, February 16). Dispatcher Testing. Retrieved from
http://criticall911.com/how-much-does-it-cost-to-train-a-dispatcher/

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