LISTEN: Lifeline 911 Ep. 72: "Strikes in the City of Brotherly Love"
On one of the latest episodes of the Lifeline 911 Podcast, co-hosts Erica Roberts and Gary Elmore discuss a contentious topic for all emergency responders: the right to collective action. In our careers, we have a sworn duty to assist those in need, however insufficient material conditions in our lives could necessitate negotiating for better wages, better benefits, and other perks that make our lives easier, and could in turn make us better at those careers. This creates an interesting debate: at what point do you have to let emergency calls for service go unanswered to garner support for you and those you work with? Erica and Gary source their talk from a real-life current event in Philadelphia, and how that city has been affected by the strikes.
From the episode’s description:
On July 1, 2025 at 12:01 am, the unionized city workers of the City of Philadelphia went on strike to protest for better wages and conditions. While the merits of units and strikes and general, and public sectors unions in particular, is its own discussion, what is relevant to us is that the 9-1-1 operators and police dispatchers also went on strike. That means that emergency calls for service in the City of Brotherly Love go unanswered to some extent. Is there an acceptable reason for emergency operators to strike?
Co-hosted by AEP instructor Erica Roberts, the podcast explores a wide range of topics related to emergency preparedness, including expert interviews, practical tips, and real-life stories. Whether you're a seasoned dispatcher or just started your emergency communications career, Lifeline 911 is here to provide valuable insights and guidance to help you navigate this job field. Lifeline’s hosts can be reached at LifeLine911Podcast@gmail.com.
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