Heather Archie is a 36-year-old E-911 dispatcher from Brundidge. 

The Messenger: What are your job titles and areas of responsibilities? 

Archie: Communications Training Officer (CTO) and my responsibilities include training of new hires and continued education hours for my shift. 

 

Messenger: How did you come to work in this field? 

Archie: I started dispatching in Eufaula after volunteering for White Oak Volunteer Fire Department. 

 

Messenger: What do you enjoy most about your work? 

Archie: I absolutely love being able to assist citizens in their time of need, no matter how small in hopes of making a difference in my community. Emergency medical dispatching is my favorite part of my job. 

 

Messenger: What are the most challenging aspects of your job? 

Archie: One of the most challenging aspects of my job is not originally being from Pike County and learning the geography needed to assist callers, especially callers who are also not familiar with the area. 

 

Messenger: What skills are important for the work you do? 

Archie: Effective communication skills are important in dispatching, whether you are communicating with callers or other responders. The ability to think quickly, and even outside the box at times, is very important. 

 

Messenger: What do you wish more people knew about the work you do?

Archie: Dispatchers experience every call with the caller, it’s more than just taking a call and sending a responder.

 

Messenger: What would you say to someone else considering this career path?

Archie: Be committed, do not take this responsibility lightly. You will either love it or hate it.

 

Messenger: Did you have a mentor or person who influenced you in your career? 

Archie: There have been so many people, or even experiences, that have influenced my career. Even not-so-great experiences have had impacting lessons on me as a person and as a dispatcher. If I had to pick individual people, I would say Rachael Heil, she has taught me a lot in the time I have had the privilege of working with her. Sabriya Burks definitely talked me off the ledge more than a few times learning a new CAD system when I started in Pike County. Makenna Wall shows me almost daily the type of friendly selfless person I want to be. 

 

Messenger: What do you like to do when you’re not working? Do you have a hobby or activity people would be surprised to learn about? 

Archie: Me and my husband own a small farm. Honestly, he does most of the labor. I just enjoy going to auctions with him and all the new animals he comes home with. My only hobby would probably be reading.