Here's how you know
 **Official websites use .mil** .mil
 **Secure .mil websites use HTTPS** lock () https://


Skip to main content (Press Enter).
 Toggle navigation
            
            
            
            
            National Guard
                        Always Ready Always There
                    National Guard
            
            Search National Guard:
                        Search
                    Search
                        Search National Guard:
                            Search
    Home

    News
    
        Guard News

    Overseas Operations

    State Partnership Program

    News Features

    RSS Feeds

    Press Releases

    Transcripts

    Features
    
        Features by Year

    Posture Statement

    State Partnership Program

    Special Features

    About the Guard
    
        How We Began

    Air National Guard

    Army National Guard    
    
        DEERS Soldier Journey

    Leader Development Program

    History and Heritage

    I am the Guard

    NGB Official March

    Leadership
    
        CNGB

    VCNGB

    SEA

    DANG

    DARNG

    Joint Staff    
    
        J-1

    J-2

    J-3

    J-4

    J-5

    J-6

    J-7

    J-8

    Personal Staff    
    
        Inspector General

    General Counsel    
    
        Special Victims Counsel

    Public Affairs

    Executive Support Services

    Legislative Liaison

    Special Staff    
    
        Office of the Provost Marshal

    Office of the Joint Surgeon

    Director of Acquisitions

    Small Business Programs

    Chaplain

    Senior Leader Management Office

    Diversity Equity Inclusion

    Comptroller

    Resources    
        National Defense Strategy Implementation Guidance

    Community Engagement

    FOIA

    Fact Sheets

    Helpful Links

    Image Gallery
    
        News Images

    Graphics

    Historical Paintings

    Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

    Legislative Liaison

    Small Business Programs

    Social Media

    State Websites

    Videos    
    
        Featured Videos

    On Every Front

    2019 Videos

    2020 Videos

    2021 Videos

    Suicide Prevention

    Family Programs

    Environmental

    Trial Defense Service

    Holistic Wellness Challenge

    Contact Us  Home
  News
  Article View
 
 Download
 Details
 Share
 NEWS
 104th Fighter Wing firefighters answer the calls for help By Airman 1st Class Randall Burlingam
                104th Fighter Wing, Massachusetts Air National Guard
 WESTFIELD, Mass. – The responsibility of being a dispatcher at the 104th Fighter Wing fire department is an important one, as the dispatcher working in the alarm room is involved with emergency response situations from start to finish. It is the dispatcher’s job to obtain the critical information from the caller, disseminate that information to the responding team and ensure all required assets, such as an ambulance, are being sent to respond to the call, all while helping the person on the other end of the line remain calm. The firefighters here are all trained to work in the alarm room, and they realize how crucial it is to be proficient at the job. “It’s really one of the most important jobs that we have,” said Fire Lt. Travis Witbeck, 104th Fire Department shift lieutenant. “We spend a lot of time training our people to do it well.” If a member dials 911 from a base phone, the fire department can see precisely what building and room that person is calling from. If a member dials 911 on a cellphone, they will reach a dispatcher at a local fire department. Firefighters here have different ways to rapidly communicate with the local dispatchers, such as a direct line to the City of Westfield and specialized radios, which aid in the dissemination of information after someone dials 911 from a cellphone. The direct lines and radios also serve as a way for surrounding communities to send mutual aid requests. According to Witbeck, this is how they are requested to go out and support the surrounding communities. Witbeck said the dispatchers do a lot of in house training, and many attend a telecommunications course to ensure they can perform at a high level when assigned to work in the alarm room. The dispatcher is involved from start to finish, and has one of the most critical roles in emergency response, he said. “It can get pretty hectic in there, depending on the complexity of the incident,” said Witbeck. “It’s really crucial for us to have that person in there with all of that information and the ability to do what they do.”
 SHARE
 PRINT
 
 Pennsylvania Guard, Lithuania Strengthen Partnership
 By Staff Sgt. Zoe Wockenfuss,
  106th Rescue Wing Conducts Comprehensive Rescue Training
 By Staff Sgt. Sean Madden,
  Oregon Air Guard Security Forces Squadron Trains in Hawai'i
 By Senior Master Sgt. Jennifer Shirar,
  More
 106th Rescue Wing Conducts Comprehensive Rescue Training Guard News • 16 hours ago
 Oregon Air Guard Security Forces Squadron Trains in Hawai'i Guard News • 16 hours ago
 Alaska Air Guard Rescue Triad Conducts Water Rescue Training Guard News • yesterday
 Wisconsin National Guard Brigade Begins Major Training Exercise Guard News • yesterday
 Idaho National Guard, German JTACs Train Together Guard News • 2 days ago
 2024 (178)  2023 (427)  2022 (526)  2021 (697)  2020 (936)  2019 (387)  2018 (323)  2017 (346)  2016 (245)  2015 (356)  2014 (399)  2013 (469)  2012 (556)  2011 (533)  2010 (1071)  2009 (357)  2008 (638)  2007 (295)  2006 (188)
 Home
 Site Map
 Privacy & Security Policy
 Link Disclaimer
 Web Policy
 DOD Information Quality
 DOD Open GovernmentFOIA
 No FEAR Act
 Accessibility/Section 508
 Contact Us
 Army Guard Careers
 Air Guard Careers
 USA.gov
                    
Staying Connected
    XYouTubeFlickrFacebookInstagram
                 
                
                

Hosted by Defense Media Activity - WEB.mil