No matter in what part of the chain, working in the emergency field is the most rewarding. Every single moment is an opportunity to make a difference in people’s lives.
I have been serving in the Malta Police Force for 25 years. I started off as a Constable, before being promoted to Sergeant and then Inspector in 2015. My current role involves the daily running of the 112 and Police control rooms, liaising between staff, the administration of the force and the Ministries. Thanks to all the years I’ve spent on the field, I can understand the needs and feelings of the first responding officers who have to face all the dangerous situations. The best moments in the job are when you receive a radio call or information that the person in distress regarding whom we previously received a 112 call, was saved by our colleagues.
A day at the 112 Control Room can immediately change to crisis mode when something bad happens, causing stress to the operators. The wait for feedback from the colleagues after they have been dispatched on a particular incident is sometimes too much to handle. I think that people who do not know what goes on inside these places have the impression that working here is a cushy job. To work in this role you need resilience, honesty, confidence, common sense, self-discipline and a sense of responsibility.