911 saves lives, but who saves 911

i am nearing the end of my career as a full time 911 dispatcher. Eight years after walking into my first comm center i am hanging up my hat. . . sort of.
i will stay on part time with the department who must remain nameless here because of policy and contractual obligations. There is some administrative phobia of transparency, so all public image related stuff has to go through the proper channels - i.e. the administration (i actually think that we are not even allowed to utter the name of our department in public, as though the mere mention of it's name might somehow tarnish it's image). Heaven forbid that the public learn that there are no infallible government agencies. . . yes its true. . .even your government is run and operated by, of all things, human beings. But, shhhhhh. That is a big secret.
So i move on and leave behind an amazing crew of people to remain the silent heroes that deal with the public when they are at their worst. They save lives on a daily basis, but remain invisible and largely un-thanked because they don't tote hoses or carry guns. Dispatchers are expected to be there at all times and respond with courtesy and vigilant compassion in spite of being yelled at, harassed, cussed at, called names, hung up on, and harangued by the administration (who should i mention is 50% incapable, unqualified and/or not legal permitted to perform the work of their subordinates) when "I's" are not dotted and "T's" are not crossed. Less than one percent of one percent of the calls these folks take are people calling to say thank you, or recognize their efforts.
This is not a boo-hoo fest for me. . . i am free. But i think about those amazing hard working folks that i leave behind. . . These men and women do a remarkable job, and i count myself fortunate to have been privileged to have stood among their ranks!
As i transition to a new job i feel a certain amount of guilt. The department is already grossly understaffed, and overworked, and i have added another schedule hole. When i left this morning vacations were already being cancelled, people were being forced in for extra and double shifts and the supervisors were pulling out their hair trying to figure out how to keep the center staffed.
Keep these folks in your prayers and your thoughts. Be thankful that they are there when you need them. They don't get the glory, they don't get the closure that firefighters and police get - these guys get the calls and send the calls, but don't get to see the emergencies resolved.
Don't thank me, i sold out, but thank a dispatcher when you meet one!
And to my colleagues. . . thanks for a great ride!!!