The next generation of dispatchers isn’t waiting for change — they’re creating it.
We created First Call Ready because we believe every 911 dispatcher deserves to feel prepared and supported — whether it’s the first call of their career or the first call of a major incident. Our goal is simple: to help dispatchers build the confidence, knowledge, and mindset they need to be ready for whatever comes through the headset.
Our Winning Over the Panel workbook is packed with tools to help you stand out in your dispatcher interview. Inside, you’ll find 40+ sample interview questions, example answers, and thoughtful questions to ask your interview panel. Plus, it includes guided worksheets to help you research departments, craft personalized answers, and build your own list of interview questions with confidence.
Grab your FREE copy of 911 Dispatcher Career Guide: What to Expect, How to Apply, How to Succeed. Packed with essential insights, this guide breaks down the job’s unique demands, walks you through the application process and timeline, and includes helpful worksheets to get you organized and focused. It’s the perfect starting point for exploring a career in 911 dispatch and finding the agency that’s right for you.
Meet the Team
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![A person with short dark hair smiling, wearing a black polo shirt with embroidered text, tan pants, a brown belt, and bracelets, standing with arms crossed against a plain light gray background.]()
Ashley Valenzuela
Director of Marketing & Impact
At the start of my career—somewhere between back-to-back 911 calls and far too much caffeine—I realized the world needs more dispatchers. So we launched First Call Ready to strengthen those already in the headset and guide those stepping into it.
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![A woman with brown hair smiling, wearing a black polo shirt with embroidered text and a logo, standing with arms crossed against a plain light gray background.]()
Megan Wilske
Director of Engagement & Development
From dispatcher to management, I’ve seen it all—the chaos, the staffing battles, and more CAD crashes than I can count. One thing is clear: dispatchers need support, training, and growth. First Call Ready exists to empower every dispatcher, whether you’re just starting or have decades behind the headset. -
![Portrait of a woman with long curly hair, smiling, wearing a black polo shirt with a name tag, standing against a plain gray background.]()
Dominique Mathis
Director of Leadership Development & Innovation
I found my calling behind the headset, turning my own healing into support for others. Today, I’m dedicated to empowering the next generation of public-safety telecommunicators with resilience, compassion, and purpose. -
![A woman with brown hair, tattoos on her arm, wearing a black shirt with a logo, and a colorful bead bracelet, standing with her arms crossed and smiling.]()
Kayla Bacon
Director of Wellness & Professional Support
I have invested in Public Safety across California and Oregon, building a career rooted in passion for the First, First Responder. What started as a volunteer opportunity as a teenage Police Explorer quickly turned into a lifelong calling. Today, I’m dedicated not only to the work itself, but to improving the communications center experience—championing wellness, resilience, and creative initiatives that support and uplift my peers.
Because the next generation isn’t waiting for change - they’re creating it.
From the creator of Let’s Talk Dispatch comes First Call Ready — the podcast empowering 911 professionals to shape the future of emergency communications. Hosts Ashley Valenzuela and Megan Wilske take on the challenges, culture, and conversations driving the next generation of dispatchers forward.
Having Conversations That Matter, Join Us!