A Brevard County 911 dispatcher is being honored for her handling of a series of intense calls for help.Brooke Schaffroth, 28, has worked as a communications officer for the Melbourne Police Department for five years.On Sept. 3, Schaffroth had a demanding shift with a steady volume of calls. She received back-to-back calls involving suicides — one by gunshot and the other an overdose. The first call was a confirmed suicide of an 82-year-old man.For the second call, Schaffroth dispatched crews in time to intervene.”That was a good outcome that she was OK,” Schaffroth said. “It was a relief that it was an attempt, but she ended up being OK. She got the help that she needed, so it was a relief to hear that.”While communications officers are always there if you need help, there are also other resources available before things reach that point.”The one that I love to share is 988,” psychotherapist Cherlette McCullough said. “It’s very easy to access help immediately — the crisis hotline 988 from their cell phones.”McCullough, a psychotherapist with Centerpiece Therapy, said open communication without judgment is key.”If you notice different behaviors and are discerning that, really reach out to them and say things like, ‘I’m concerned about you. I care about you. Is there anything you’d like to share?’” McCullough said.Schaffroth’s heroic work earned her a Certificate of Commendation from her department. In addition to the calls involving suicides, she also directed resources to a disturbance on Roberts Street, where an officer was heard reporting “one at gunpoint.” The suspect was tasered. The award nomination committee said Schaffroth’s clear communication was vital to ensuring officer safety.”At the end of the day, it’s just about getting help to them and trying to get it there quickly to change the outcome,” Schaffroth said.If you or anyone you know is struggling with suicidal thoughts, call or text the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988 for confidential support. WESH 2 has a list of additional resources that can be found here.
A Brevard County 911 dispatcher is being honored for her handling of a series of intense calls for help.
Brooke Schaffroth, 28, has worked as a communications officer for the Melbourne Police Department for five years.
On Sept. 3, Schaffroth had a demanding shift with a steady volume of calls. She received back-to-back calls involving suicides — one by gunshot and the other an overdose. The first call was a confirmed suicide of an 82-year-old man.
For the second call, Schaffroth dispatched crews in time to intervene.
“That was a good outcome that she was OK,” Schaffroth said. “It was a relief that it was an attempt, but she ended up being OK. She got the help that she needed, so it was a relief to hear that.”
While communications officers are always there if you need help, there are also other resources available before things reach that point.
“The one that I love to share is 988,” psychotherapist Cherlette McCullough said. “It’s very easy to access help immediately — the crisis hotline 988 from their cell phones.”
McCullough, a psychotherapist with Centerpiece Therapy, said open communication without judgment is key.
“If you notice different behaviors and are discerning that, really reach out to them and say things like, ‘I’m concerned about you. I care about you. Is there anything you’d like to share?’” McCullough said.
Schaffroth’s heroic work earned her a Certificate of Commendation from her department. In addition to the calls involving suicides, she also directed resources to a disturbance on Roberts Street, where an officer was heard reporting “one at gunpoint.” The suspect was tasered. The award nomination committee said Schaffroth’s clear communication was vital to ensuring officer safety.
“At the end of the day, it’s just about getting help to them and trying to get it there quickly to change the outcome,” Schaffroth said.
If you or anyone you know is struggling with suicidal thoughts, call or text the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988 for confidential support. WESH 2 has a list of additional resources that can be found here.