First responders must remain calm in face of distress

Suburban police and fire departments have reached such a level of sophistication and professionalism that people in trouble can expect the appropriate help to arrive within minutes.

But for many Northwest suburban towns, the true first responders operate out of a nondescript, single-story industrial building in Arlington Heights.

The true first responders - the ones who answer when you call 911 - are the folks at Northwest Central Dispatch.

On a recent field trip, the members of Schaumburg's Citizens Police Academy visited the dispatchers and gained appreciation of emergency response from their perspective.

Unlike officers and firefighters who often run toward potentially dangerous situations with their weapons and lifesaving equipment, a calm demeanor and clarity of communication are the tools 911 operators need to help callers on the line.

While the dire circumstances and distress of those on the line may affect them emotionally, dispatchers are trained to know that any display of emotion during a call is counterproductive to their ability to send the right kind of help to the right place quickly.

It's a job that's not for everyone, but serves as the essential front line for public safety services.

@Leadin for body copy:Canine cop: While a certain level of physical fitness is required of all Schaumburg officers, only one is expected to run faster than 35 mph.

That's Bosco, the department's German shepherd and partner to his handler, Officer Stewart Wing.

Academy members got to see a demonstration of the control a handler has over a properly trained police dog, turning him from ferocious weapon to meek, obedient servant with a simple command.

Bosco demonstrated how he can latch onto a fleeing suspect's arm and not let go, and signal his detection of hidden illegal drugs.

Normally the department operates with two canine officers, but the nearly 10-year-old Cliff retired in January to spend the rest of his life at the home of his handler, Officer Mike Hanley.

Cliff's successor has not been chosen, but is expected to join the force sometime this summer after about a month and a half of specialized training with his new handler.

Bosco's been in service six years already, and Wing hopes to get at least one more year of service from him.

@Leadin for body copy:Graduation day: And so the end has come for my days in the Citizens Police Academy.

Attendees enjoyed a formal graduation with the presentation of a certificate of completion and a beautiful and very tasty cake.

Police Chief Brian Howerton revisited the class, having been there on Day 1, to ask what class members had learned. He was pleased to find a lot of useful information had been gained and a lot of harmful stereotypes shattered.

If you'd like to have a similar experience to mine, many area police and fire departments will be holding citizen academies again in the fall. Call yours to find out more information.

Staff Writer Eric Peterson spent the last several Wednesday evenings participating in the Schaumburg Citizens Police Academy and has shared the experience in this column, which concludes today.