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Re:Simple words that save lives: lessons from “expert talkers” by csours on Tuesday September 24, 2019 @11:27AM (#21061195)
AKA Postel's Law: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robustness_principle

I've never been a dispatcher, but I have worked in on-site assembly plant tech support, and I've seen the problem with escalating interactions quite a bit. The way I approach it, people who call in are upset and excited about their problems, not mad at me. Other people heard the raised tone of voice and took it personally.

Re:Simple words that save lives: lessons from “expert talkers” by andrei_says_ on Tuesday September 24, 2019 @11:35AM (#21061276)
Also many have triggers around tone of voice or curse words. So in some cases triggered ptsd( trauma related pattern) and not really a choice available to take it personally or not.

I recommend nonviolent communication, the book and the practice. Teaches the ability to “translate” highly charged conversations into basic human needs and feelings.

Re:Simple words that save lives: lessons from “expert talkers” by Bartweiss on Tuesday September 24, 2019 @12:39PM (#21062013)
As far as people having instinctive reactions they can't control, this can certainly be true. But I don't really understand who you're recommending nonviolent communication to in this context?

The person swearing was a random 911 caller attempting to receive help; we can't expect every caller to know nonviolent communication, or to recall it in life-or-death situations. The person upset by the swearing was a 911 dispatcher; if they have involuntary triggers around language then a job that absolutely requires remaining composed while talking to frightened strangers is dangerously poor fit. And I don't think it would actually be good for the dispatcher to practice NVC - whatever its merits, it's not a process meant for rapidly transferring vital information.

Safety and emergency-response communication is an entire topic of its own, and emergency medical dispatchers already get specific training on how to achieve the goals of that work.