Advice to Support Responder Relationships
I recently spoke to a captain of a sheriff’s office, as we discussed today’s current climate, she informed me that her agency was currently having internal communication forums on the topic of race relations, diversity and inclusion. She reported on how well those discussions had been going and how informative they were for all parties involved. I’m also aware of a neighboring county having community forums where productive conversations have been occurring. These dialogs fully employ what’s needed in supporting first responder relationships. As someone who has worked closely with first responders for over a decade, I have learned that it is all about communication, not accusation.
If you are interested in how you can personally support first responders and I’m assuming you are because you clicked on this link. Allow me to share five simple tips you may use to support the first responder community. Perhaps you will find when you seek to be supportive a funny exchange happens, more often than not, you in turn become equally supported. The relationship can be reciprocal.
Tips
Ask to do a ride along, get some on the job exposure
Share your story with the first responder, allow them the opportunity to get to know you as a person
Invite for coffee, a walk, or run
Make an effort to get the know the first responder as a person, another human being who has wants, needs, and desires just like you
Bottom line, communicate beyond headlines, media sensationalism and social media platforms, seek common ground