Looking ahead: February 16, 2018

Writer's block is a horrible condition. I hope it has been purged for a long time.

This date is special for being Chinese New Year. Gung Hay Fat Choy. Am I writing about The Year of the Dog? No, even though I obviously love dogs - especially one chocolate colored crazy Chinese Shar-Pei (how appropriate for this new year).

The main purpose of this post about February 16 concerns every person in the United States of America but most of them will go about their business without noticing the benchmark. Why is this date special and why should every American care?

Read on and see. I promise, this is not a pyramid scam. I'm not asking you to buy anything and this isn't a story about politics, mass killing, or contain any harassing images.

It's Breeder's Cup time!

This week is the 34^rd running of the Breeder’s Cup Championship races. Nothing beats the excitement, pageantry, and beauty of horseracing. The realm of horseracing stems from the rough & tumble world of child races in Mongolia, the country fair circuits, sulky racing with rapid-fire trotters & pacers, to the high-stakes realm of the modern racetrack. Some places, such as Dubai, run their meets without any waging allowed just for the love of the sport while other tracks survive with the assist of casino-style slots on site.

Best of the wrinkly dogs: The Shar-Pei Nationals

The Chinese Shar-Pei Club of America held their annual National Specialty show this year in Sacramento (CA) from October 9th through 13. Prior to the Nationals, the Golden State Chinese Shar-Pei Club held a specialty show. I was able to attend on Thursday, October 12th. This was my FIRST Shar-Pei Nationals and I had a ball.

The lady in blue is Deanna Liskey. We met when I lived in CA and joined the Chinese Shar-Pei Club of Northern California in 2000. 

SPAID testing table

Raffle items

Automation is killing jobs

I'm going to date myself with this post. I remember a time before answering machines, mobile phones, personal computers, and self-serve kiosks. Folks had manners (for the most part - there have always been exceptions). Technology has been lauded as a wonderful part of civilization. Yes, science has given us medical marvels and taken us to the Moon and back but have all the modern wonders been to our true benefits?

Let us take a look.

The Puck has dropped for the new NHL season!

Get excited hockey fans for the 2017-2018 season began this week, complete with the 31rst member of the League: the Las Vegas Golden Knights. Welcome guys!

All teams had a moment of silence for  the victims of the Las Vegas shooting (see attached link for a video):

https://www.nhl.com/sharks/video/nhl-honors-vegas-victims/c-53151103
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With an aging group of key players, most of the hockey writers place San Jose at high odds of winning the Stanley Cup (29 to 1). The Hockey News predicts the Sharks will finish fourth on the Pacific, thus not making the play-offs.

2017 Reno Balloon Races

The skies were filled with color with weekend in Reno as giant balloons filled the air. I was able to snap some photos from afar. The event started on Thursday, September 7th and continue through September 10th.

Coco wasn't impressed by the balloons. She had more fun watching the kids.

what is on the news networks?

http://wordsoffthestreet.com/

https://www.oathkeepers.org/heroes-know-brave-texas-teens-save-50-people-small-fishing-boat/

http://www.foxnews.com/science/2017/08/30/how-nasa-is-tracking-tropical-storm-harvey.html

https://www.oathkeepers.org/two-navy-veterans-team-texas-vfw-post-hurricane-shelter/

http://patriotretort.com/houston-vs-berkeley/

http://www.bbc.com/news/av/world-us-canada-41102182/storm-harvey-people-form-human-chain-to-rescue-elderly-man-from-floods

other news:

http://www.ktvn.com/story/36247214/slinkard-fire-burning-south-of-topaz-lake1

http://www.ktvn.com/story/36246613/wildfire-breaks-out-north-of-sparks2

http://www.mercurynews.com/2017/08/30/patrick-marleau-is-packed-and-shipping-off-to-toronto/

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-41100541

http://www.foxnews.com/us/2017/08/30/antifa-violence-leaves-leftists-to-question-whether-movement-hurts-or-helps.html

http://www.sfgate.com/news/article/Burning-Man-100-degrees-heat-wave-Black-Rock-NV-12161268.php

Accountability - again

When I was growing up I remember hearing (or maybe I read it) that the only thing you can truly own is your mistakes. Own them. Admitting errors or  true lack of knowledge (or that I just forgot) rather than lying about the problem showed my bosses that I had standards and ethics. I was able to take responsibility for my actions.

It's not easy saying, "Yes, I screwed up. I did that." The only actually serious complaint I received (to date) as a Dispatcher came in my first year. When I sat in the Captain's office, I admitted right away my mistake. When asked if I wanted representation I said no. I knew I'd did wrong and was willing to face any consequences for not following the policy, even though it was unintentional. No one had been hurt. So I knew I wouldn't be terminated. The Captain was surprised I admitted my part in the incident (a mishap in dispatching). He praised my willingness to be forthright. I signed the complaint and that was the end of it. He said afterwards if I had lied I would have been suspended.

In previous jobs I've actually contacted supervisors in advance of the public to give them a heads up in case they receive a complaint call. One told me no one ever did that. He said it was a shame more folks didn't do the same.

I agreed. It seems to me too many people spend way to much time covering up mistakes, especially simple ones. The errors blow up into bigger ones. If they'd just dealt with the original goof in the first place, it probably wouldn't have been a big deal. Covers ups snow ball quickly. Lies lead to more lies.

Why do I act this way?

Because when things go sideways and someone makes accusations against me that aren't true, I can say 'I didn't do it." and my supervisors will take my side. They believe me because I don't lie or hide when I make a mistake so my character is in good standing. It also helps that I show up when expected, do my good to the best of my ability, take on extra tasks without complaint, and stay informed about the profession as a whole. I keep up on training on my own (except for mandatory Dept. of Justice NCIC training every two years as the agency TAC, any outside training is on our own dollar.

For those of your starting out: don't be afraid to admit to your goof-ups. We all make them and most are fixable. It will happen at some point. The sooner you identify the error, the quicker you can work to solve the issue. Do your job to the best of your ability. NO ONE OWES you anything in this world. Sorry, but despite what you parents might have told you, the world does NOT revolve around you. We all have to start from the bottom and work our way up. Be accountable to your work. Don't act like a know-it-all. You might have a fancy degree but the co-worker  without one that's been doing the position for a couple of years is just as knowledgeable in the job. Be respectful.

So that's my rant on accountability.

Stay safe out there and avoid wasps hanging out in fire extinguish covers (long story there).

Viking dreams of grandeur: Knut the Great

Knut was born in 995, the son of King Svein Forkbeard of Denmark. Knut (also known as Cnut or Canute) was brought up as a royal Dane, with martial training. His brother, Harold was the expected heir to the throne. Whether Svein favored Knut over Harold is not known. A contemporary of Knut wrote that he was tall, fall, and had a hooked nose.

Public Safety and numbers

Numbers are important in Public Safety. First of all, every agency, whether the department is based in law enforcement, firefighting, or  emergency medical services, relies on statistics.

Why?

Statistics guides the Administrators when it comes to budgets. Let's face facts folks: everything comes down to money. Next, statistics guide Admin in determining staffing. Today, there are software programs and systems status management programs that assist supervisory personnel in placing field units in the areas with the highest 'likely' calls volumes. When it comes to Communications Centers, stats determine which days and shifts have the biggest amount of Dispatchers on duty at any given day - hence, 'dogwatch' (or, nightshift) traditionally having the smallest number of Dispatchers while second shift (swingshift) has the most.

Responding to work-related surveys: are they really relevant?

Have you completed a work-related survey recently? I’ve participated in a number of them in recent years – most dispatcher-specific. In fact, while researching for my book, I had one posted on my blog and a few other dispatcher websites.

I have come to the conclusion that most of the surveys are developed by those who don’t know or understand our profession at all.

A quest for his lady's love: Sir Ulrich von Lichtenstein. The real knight's tale

In 2001 Director Brian Helgeland brought his version of A Knight’s Tale to the big screen. The story was part of The Canterbury Tales, written by Geoffrey Chaucer (played by Paul Bettany in the film).  In Hollywood’s take of the classic medieval story, a tradesman’s son, William Thatcher (Heath Ledger) is apprenticed as a squire by his father to a knight. When the knight dies during a tournament, William takes his master’s place. He wins and assumes a new identity: ‘Sir Ulrich von Liechtenstein’. As he and his companions travel the mainland, ‘Ulrich’ keeps gaining experience and winning accolades. At one event, he runs into Jocelyn (Shannyn Sossamon), a noblewoman and his nemesis – Count Adhemar (Rufus Sewell). Through adversity, and some compassion from Prince Edward, the Black Prince, William earns his true spurs and his love. All this takes place with hip music and great jousting scenes (even if the continuity messed up by allowing a horse to magically change colors in the middle of a joust run).

Of course, that not what really happened.

Getting medieval on the silver screen

It’s time for the annual review of the silver screen’s portrayal of the medieval world. This year is a plethora of television and movies for the history enthusiast. Let’s begin with the big screen.

The Highway to Hell

Let me warn you ahead of time: this is not a PC post.

Spend any amount of time in a communications center and chances are your ears will begin to catch fire. We’re not known for our ‘pc’ nature. In fact, dispatchers tend to vent – a lot. We have to. It’s not healthy to keep the anxiety we face every shift bottled up inside.

The plague of the medieval century: the Black Death

The death of feudalism was brought about the great equalizer in the mid 14^th century: The Black Death, or Black Plague. What was the Plague? Where did it come from and what was the true impact of this deadly disease?

NHL Playoffs: Go Sharks!

Wednesday, April 12th was the start of the NHL playoffs and the San Jose Sharks are facing off against the Edmonton Oilers. Most of the hockey experts picked the Oilers to win the series.

I fart in their general direction and taunt them in multiple languages.

Game one went to San Jose 3-2. Melkor Karlsson scored the game-winning goal. The Sharks had a slow start in the first but poured it on in the second and took over from there. The Oilers were mown over by the Sharks in the third. In all San Jose had a total of 44 shots on goal to Edmonton's 19 (amazing!).  The Sharks were better in the face-off circle, taking the puck 57% of the time. Getting on the forecheck and creating scoring chances can't happen without puck possession and that starts by winning the face-off.

Another key to winning the game was shutting down Edmonton's star player: Connor McDavid, which the Sharks managed to do very well. In fact, the Oilers were very sloppy in the neutral zone with changes despite having the larger number of hits and blocks. Happily, San Jose had Logan Couture on the ice for the first game. We hope Joe Thornton will join the team soon but the younger players showed they could step up their game. Tomas Hertl had a few near misses on goal and seven shots. Brent Burns was his usual dominating presence.

I'm looking forward to the next game on Friday.

Go Sharks.

oh yeah...stay safe out there!











https://www.nhl.com/gamecenter/sjs-vs-edm/2017/04/12/2016030181#game=2016030181,game_state=fina

The new face of the Magna Carta: King Henry III

Who was King Henry III of England? How did he make a name for himself in the annuals of history?

Henry III was born in 1 October, 1207 to King John of England and Queen Consort, Isabelle (Isabella) of Angouleme. He took the throne on the death of his father in 1216 when he was only nine years old and ruled until 1272. As the eldest, his official titles were: king of England, lord of Ireland, duke of Normandy and Aquitaine, and count of Anjou.  Unlike his ancestors, much of Henry’s life including his conflicts, accomplishments, and policies were documented by his contemporaries.

National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week

Nest week (April 9th through April 15th) is the annual National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week. Please take a moment to thank your Dispatchers.



If you feel brave, here is a link to you tube for old Rescue911 videos

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t5c9e6uAUF8&list=PL67E54D8840F86C70

stay safe out there!

EMS then verses now

Recently I had to take an ambulance ride. The experience gave me flashbacks to the time when I was on the opposite side of the gurney. Wow...emergency medical services have come a long way from when I worked in the field.

Let's start with the start of the service. Today's ambulances are a far cry from the vehicles I worked in. My first unit was a converted suburban. I was 'fortunate' enough to get transferred to a Cadillac within a month, then shortly after to a low-top van. The goal of EMTs at our company was the high-top van.

The Lady of Shalott - which version do you like?

I'm not a huge fan of poetry but I have developed a taste for some poets. One of authors I like is the renown Lord Alfred Lord Tennyson. He was a prolific writer and even folks who hate poetry (I was one of those) have probably heard of his works. The Lady of Shalott has two versions. Lovers of New Age music will recognize the revised version since Loreena McKennitt turned it into a haunting song. Tennyson also penned the famous "The Charge of the Light Brigade". 

In the "Lady", the first version made extensive use of 'flowery' language.  In the second writing, Tennyson toned it down somewhat. I think he was criticized by family and/or friends and chose to make the changes for readability. Which do you prefer? Why do you think he made the changes? Regardless, I still love this poem.

Nevada POST working on Mandate for Dispatcher training

The process has been slow but it is getting there. A bill is winding it's way through the Nevada Legislature to make it mandatory for all law enforcement dispatchers to be trained and certified through POST. The first hurdle was getting POST (Peace Officer Standards and Training) to accept that Dispatchers needed to have a minimal training. After the meetings were successful, personnel went to the NV State Congress to find a sponsor. As you see below, we have one.


2017
Certification of Law Enforcement Dispatchers
Status: Pending - Assembly Government Affairs Committee ...(tharr be more)
Date of Last Action:* 2/13/2017
Author: Carlton (D)
Topics: 9-1-1 Other/Miscellaneous
Summary: Provides for the certification of law enforcement dispatchers.
History: Click for History
02/13/2017 - INTRODUCED.
02/13/2017 - Prefiled pursuant to JSR 14.2.1(d).
02/13/2017 - To ASSEMBLY Committee on GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS.



Why do we (Dispatchers) want this?

Think! Respectability comes with requirements of certification and training. We as a profession must start somewhere. Just having the two-year NCIC/NCJIS is not enough. For those who offer pre-arrival medical instruction (EMD), you are required to have CPR and EMD training, plus annual continuing education. Departments must provide that to you. How many of your agencies give you to the chance at other training once you've finished your basic orientation? POST certification is the first step for many NV Dispatchers.

I know Nevadans hate being compared to Californians but I remember when Dispatchers in CA started getting POST certification through POST. At first, it was just the basics: Basic Dispatcher, Civilian Training Officer, and Civilian Supervisor.  However that changes after the late 80's when the State held focus groups for Dispatchers to see what types of training programs we wanted and soon we had Fire Dispatcher, Tactical Dispatcher, and Advanced Dispatcher. Now there is a catalog of courses for Dispatchers.

Think about that: an entire catalog of courses specifically for Telecommunicators.

We could have that in Nevada.

Go to the below link. Click on share your opinion. Scroll down and look for bill 151.


http://asm.leg.state.nv.us/Assembly/


Stay safe out there!

Whose life is being celebrated by Hollywood?

Sunday night Actress Viola Davis was awarded an Oscar for her Supporting role in "Fences". Ms. Davis gave what was a heartfelt speech. She is an intelligent woman with a good career. I just have to wonder why she didn't take a little more care with her words so as to not offend 99% of this great country of ours?