After more than 30 years, one of our key life savers signs off the air

The job of 911 Dispatcher can be a rewarding career choice, both for self and for the community served. In large metropolitan areas, the career expectancy of a dispatcher, however, largely due to the stress, is only six years.

Saturday, February 19, 2022, was Tom Eades’ final shift as San Juan County 911 Dispatcher following a 33-year career from 1988-2022 one of the voices that deputies, firefighters, EMS providers, and our San Juan populace rely on to be there, 24/7 — no matter what. You may have spoken with Tom over the years as an able, reassuring voice ready to receive and respond to your 911 call for assistance.

This career path is not often something that one looks forward to from childhood, say, but, rather, that someone falls into and either loves it or find they don’t have the constitution to stick it out because of the stress level.

• Tom, what prompted you to become a 911 Dispatcher some 30 years ago?
  I had been working as a radio announcer at KONP in Port Angeles, when (as sometimes happens in radio) I was invited to leave. I’d been out of work for about six months, when I saw the Dispatch opening in the Seattle Times. I’d always had an interest in emergency services, and loved the San Juan Islands. I also wanted to be able to move back out of my parents’ house.
• Did you ever regret taking the job? Would you do it again?
  Being in a small community, everyone is expected to take on more responsibilities than would be expected in the “real world.” As the community has grown and the amount of calls to Dispatch increased, we continue to have to deal with these extra duties; which does create additional stress at times. Overall, I am still glad to have had the position; and I would definitely do it again.
• What changes have you seen to technology improvements in emergency communications since you started?
  when I began dispatching, all the equipment was analog; the console was all buttons, the microphone was on a boom, the telephone was…a telephone. And to tone the fire department, each separate tone had to be typed in by hand—and there was still an active street siren, on Brown Island. Today, everything is computer driven; the tones are pre-programmed, we have enhanced 9-1-1, and we can immediately call back those folks who hang up. There’s also the ability to immediately transfer most misdirected 9-1-1 calls to the appropriate center; provided it’s within our region.
• Is there a specific call that will always be with you?
  Some twenty years ago, I received a call from a hysterical mother on an outer island, advising that her infant was choking. I stayed on the phone with her and provided telephone CPR instructions for almost a half an hour, while a crew from San Juan EMS flew to the location. Unfortunately, the child didn’t make it; but the mom told responders that she appreciated me trying to help her.
• What’s upcoming next for you?
   I will be responding as a fire apparatus operator with San Juan Island Fire & Rescue, as well as covering monthly one-week shifts as a secondary duty officer. I have 30+ years as a volunteer firefighter/EMT, and the agency has expressed interest in me sharing my knowledge and history with its younger members. At some point, I will probably actually retire. If that were to happen, I would love to be able to travel, or even just enjoy the spectacular environment we all live in! 
• Feel free to add anything else you would like to share.
  I had told Sheriff Cumming during my job interview, that I was willing to work for the Sheriff’s Office for two years. Never in my wildest dreams did I think I would stay for over three decades! Do I regret it? No—but it does go to show how life can take a left turn.

Tom has indicated he will be available to fill in for shifts following his retirement as needed in the dispatch center — a valuable resource.