In fact, being a truck dispatcher means you'll work in a fast-paced work environment, even in your house. I was working 12-hour shifts, so it was inevitable that something bad is going to happen that day. ), try to simplify the communication streams to one reliable method. Write by: . Those who work in the emergency response field have helped saved more than one life. We would die if we didn't have some stress in our life. Sitting at a deskand talking to people all day sounds like the easiest job in the world. The fear of casualties and the loss of loved ones leave anxiety levels high, often resulting in post-traumatic stress disorder and mental health issues. In Germany, for example, an official training is often required by most transport companies in order to work . Many Employee Assistance Plans (EAP) have stress management resources such as counselling and educational materials available to employees. Depending on their department or line of work, police officers work in high-risk situations,dealing with life-threatening situations such as armed robberies or violent and abusive circumstances. Request a free demo of Treads truck dispatch software today. Firstly, the job is incredibly intense and stressful; at any moment you could answer the phone to a panicked caller and alter the course of their lives depending on your actions. Step 4: Register your business. So I say, thank you for always being there. Dispatchers constantly manage a high volume of requests somewhat like an air traffic controller of the trucking world. Is being a dispatcher stressful? Shop; Guest Posts . He never even comes in the room!"). This type of communication can involve information about traffic delays, vehicle breakdowns, project delays, or delivery issues. Working as a dispatcher can be stressful and require a person to make quick decisions and manage competing responsibilities. However, it is an additional task for truck drivers and makes their day tougher than the usual. Air traffic controllers monitor the movement of aircraft and direct pilots from the ground. These transportation professionals succeed when they are . Truck dispatchers make $52,793 per year on average, or $25.38 per hour, in the United States. Drivers are responsible for vehicles that often weigh over 26,000 pounds and often lose sleep to meet strict delivery deadlines. They just couldnt face coming in for another run of 14- or 15-hour shifts., See also: An exploration of sources, symptoms and buffers of occupational stress in 9-1-1 emergency call centers. Or the freight broker will call trucking companies looking for a truck to haul their freight. ), try to simplify the communication streams to one reliable method. Retrieved from https://ovc.ojp.gov/sites/g/files/xyckuh226/files/media/document/wcul_front_stress_dispatch-508.pdf. As a trucking dispatcher, a lot of time can be saved by planning ahead. 2. Rather, it should be to heal. Map out routes. Among the advantages of working from home, my favorite one is not having to get up early every morning, drive through rush hour traffic, work in the stressful, noisy office, then drive back home in rush hour traffic. Tracy, S. J., & Tracy, K. Emotion labor at 911: A case study and Theoretical critique. Upvoted by Rhys Bowen 3. You need facts about what you are going through. While many of us who fall within the classification of the baby boomers or generation x, are not as computer savvy as the Millennials and generation z, computer skills are a must have skill for todays working society. All people experience stress in one form or another. You'll need strong customer service skills, as you'll be dealing with both the drivers and the clients on a daily basis. In this position you will be in charge of maintaining call logs, monitoring routes, transferring messages, and directing tow truck drivers. Our findings suggest further development, promotion, and utilization of employee assistance programs, peer to peer support networks, and critical incident stress management services may serve as a mechanism to enable emergency dispatchers and their organizations to better counteract job related stress and promote more positive mental health outcomes and workplace environments. And if other dispatchers and office employees work with your drivers, they will be able to assist the driver if you are not available. Great dispatchers are incredibly organized, have the ability to think quickly, are adaptable, and able to manage the demands of a high-stress job. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. With video conferencing, emails, online programs that offer the ability for many people to work on the same document in real time, working from home has become more popular. Pros with Dispatcher Training Are Excellent at . Great dispatchers are incredibly organized, have the ability to think quickly, are adaptable, and able to manage the demands of a high-stress job. Being pro-active about your own healthand stress is a health issueis of the utmost importance. Written and verbal skills are necessary, but the ability to listen with a level of empathy and compassion is also required. Youll need to have a calming nature to do well in this job, and handle heavy workloads to help your patients get better by treating emotional and mental disorders like anxiety and depression. Being a dispatcher requires good communication and multi-tasking skills and the ability to work under stressful conditions. These interactions place 9-1-1 dispatchers squarely in the middle of the crisis. A dispatcher has to plan ahead, looking for loads for drivers to pick up so the driver is not just sitting and making no money. Read articles like this one that provides knowledge about the job duties of a dispatcher. Marks, M., Bowers, C., Trachik, B., James, N. T., & Beidel, D. Differences in PTSD symptomology between combat veterans and emergency dispatchers. He or she coordinates the movements of the truckers and keeps them informed about the status of their routes. 9. Stress helps us make choices; it helps us get out and do the things we need to do; it can help us develop plans, change behaviors and begin new activities. There are a lot of moving parts for a truck dispatcher to keep track of, so organization is key. Through reading you will feel less abnormal and learn way to assist in your recovery. How Does This Happen? Depending on the area and demand for trucks versus freight it may take one call to a broker or it could take several calls over a few days. Make no mistake, working as a dispatcher can be incredibly stressful. 2016; 33(9), 645651. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. Joining a truck dispatcher training program is one of the best ways to become a professional truck dispatcher as well as to improve your value in the market. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. In 2019, the world has become more mobile and computerized. Refined sugars, fats and excessive salt elevate stress levels. Willis, E., Beidel, D., Bowers, C., & Neer, S. Using a mobile application to address stress-related symptoms in emergency dispatchers. A dispatchers job is to schedule drivers to pick up and deliver loads to customers or vendors, but that just scratches the surface. 2023 DeltaQuest Media Limited. For example, setting up geo zones, adding subcontractors, and creating templates when you receive the job frees up a ton of your time on the day of the project. Thus, the glamour of the industry is associated with continuous stress which is driven by the tight deadlines. "As a dispatcher, I found it very stressful and frustrating. Working as a dispatcher is more than showing up and taking a few calls on the radio. While some people thrive in a competitive office, it can make others crumble under the pressure. Getting a front-row seat to what a trucking assignment (i.e. To learn more about Treads dispatch management software, request a demo and wed be happy to answer any questions! The successful candidate should expect to be bullied by annoying senior co-workers. Government regulations state that a truck must not exceed a gross weight of 80,000 lbs. Mission Impossible jobs are activities or tasks that leave the driver little to no room for error. From talking, texting, emailing, drivers, customers, brokers, and other office personnel to negotiating with brokers for the most money possible on a load. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". Last-minute shift changes can also add a strain on their personal lives, as they wont be able to make any plans in advance. More and more 9-1-1 tapes are being released to the media. Foreign trade has increased demand, with trucking still the primary method of transporting goods. They also control movement on the ground in airports and runways. You must take care of yourselfthat includes doing what you enjoy. Golding, S. E., Horsfield, C., Davies, A., Egan, B., Jones, M., Raleigh, M., Schofield, P., Squires, A., Start, K., Quinn, T., & Cropley, M. Exploring the psychological health of emergency dispatch centre operatives: A systematic review and narrative synthesis. This requires empathy and compassion, but also authority and assertiveness. Methods: This was a descriptive, non-experimental study using an online survey tool (SurveyMonkey) to address the research questions that framed the study. It can be hard to take the first step and ask for help, but the benefits of keeping stress in the normal and healthy range will make a profound difference in quality of life. Police dispatchers must have at least a high school diploma or GED. It can be a very stressful situation, having an angry customer in one ear and a yelling driver in the other. For example, look at the weather forecast; has it changed since you created the trip schedule? Difference Between Freight Brokers, Freight Agents and Dispatch Services Not surprisingly, there are many forms of stress; everyone is affected by it and deals with it differently. A truck dispatcher may be the right job for you. Theyll need to work at all hours to ensure their client receives the best coverage and to book deals and appearances to heighten their visibility. 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