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Within the Trenches

Code 7 Podcast Network
Public Safety
911 Dispatch
Mental Health
911 Dispatching
911 Dispatchers
9-1-1 Dispatch
9-1-1 Dispatching
Emergency Response
Emergency Dispatch
Emergency Calls
Peer Support
Emergency Services
Imagine Listening
Domestic Violence
First Responders
Mental Health Awareness
Hurricane Helene
PTSD
Rapidsos
Emergency Medical Services

A podcast based on the experience of being a 9-1-1 dispatcher.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes670Founded14 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
GovernmentTrue Crime

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for Within the Trenches

Latest Episodes

Ep. 669 features a LIVE broadcast from the 2026 NC PSAP Manager's Conference.

Episode topics –

• Real-life stories from dispatchers and center managers about entering and growing in 911 careers

• The importance of resilience, support systems... more

YouTube

Episode 668 features a solo episode in celebration of a Decade of Voices, the tenth anniversary of the #IAM911 movement.

Episode topics –

• The 10-year anniversary and global reach of the #IAM911 movement

• The origins and impact of sharing ... more

YouTube

Episode 667 features Jen, a Dispatch Coordinator with Cass County Sheriff's Department, MI.

Sponsored by

RapidSOS - Facebook | LinkedIn | X | Web

Episode topics –

• Jen's early influences and journey into public safety dispatching

• Evol... more

YouTube

Episode 666 features a solo episode where we visit an archive of past 911 calls.

This episode is sponsored by RapidSOS

Episode topics –

• The origins of Within the Trenches and how the podcast was launched

• Breakdown and discussion of a d... more

YouTube

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
Accepts Sponsors
Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Recent Guests

Dawn Shumway
Public safety advocate; creator of zero suicide kits; speaker on dispatcher wellness and suicide prevention
Dawn Shumway Solutions
Episode: Within the Trenches Ep 664
Casey Rees
AI solutions consultant; former Fairfax County public safety professional
Eventide Communications / Fairfax County (past)
Episode: Within the Trenches Ep 660
Gianna Gatto
Customer success manager at Smart Response Technologies; former firefighter/EMT
Smart Response Technologies
Episode: Within the Trenches Ep 660
Roxy Van Gundy
Director of Lyon County 911 in Kansas; long-time dispatcher
Lyon County 911
Episode: Within the Trenches Ep 660
Brent Rao
Emergency Department physician
Allegheny General Hospital
Episode: Within the Trenches Ep 652
Brandy Powell
Executive Director of the 911 Chaplain Initiative
911 Chaplain Initiative
Episode: Within the Trenches Ep 648
Ashley Williams
A 901 dispatcher from Skiatook Police Department, Oklahoma
Skiatook Police Department
Episode: Within the Trenches Ep 647
Autumn Martin
9-1-1 call taker, Indian River County Sheriff's Office
Indian River County Sheriff's Office (Florida)
Episode: Within the Trenches Ep 646
James Lockerbie
Public safety professional from New Jersey active in dispatcher advocacy and conference organizing
New Jersey public safety / NENA conference participant
Episode: Within the Trenches Ep 644

Host

Ricardo Martinez
Host of the series focusing on public-safety dispatch life, peer support advocacy, and storytelling in emergency communications.

Reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars from 226 ratings
  • This show hits different!

    Ricardo has this way of ebbing and flowing between comedy and creating safe spaces for the hardiest darkest spots to be discussed to truly allow people to know they aren’t alone. Thank you for being a huge voice for the dispatcher community who deserves one of the biggest platforms of recognition for what they do!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Lightbearer1981
    United Statesa year ago
  • Awesome podcast

    This is such a down to earth podcast really love it. Amazing stories even has your gripping and sad and awesome good times thank you for making this happen. Love you and New audio book too.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Cuzy1
    Australia3 years ago
  • Interesting but production could be better

    Interesting show but production is lacking. Example Episode 524, sounds like the people are speaking from the audience

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    Bob Huffman
    United States3 years ago
  • Very interesting

    I heard about this from Sword and Scale. I’m glad I listened to a few episodes. It is very interesting hearing from dispatchers and what they go through.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    kt07734
    United States3 years ago
  • This is an amazing podcast that brings the world of 9-1-1 to life. The amazing work that 9-1-1 professionals perform every day, the successes, challenges, funny moments, and close-knit community is presented and shared through the amazing story-telling of those who live it every day!

    Audible
    5
    Brian Crumpler
    United States6 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Some critics note production and pacing inconsistencies but overall value the candid conversations and guest expertise.
Guests and topics are felt as authentic and impactful by the community.
Episodes frequently emphasize empathy and community within public safety.
Listeners praise the host for balancing humor with deep, meaningful discussions about dispatchers' experiences.
Fans appreciate practical wellness strategies and real-world insights from dispatchers.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#180
United States/Government
Apple Podcasts
#203
Israel/Government

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Within the Trenches Ep 665
Q: What has been the impact of peer support in your career and why is it so important?
Peer support is essential for processing traumatic calls, reducing stigma, and maintaining mental health; it provides a structured way to debrief, learn, and continue serving without burning out.
Within the Trenches Ep 665
Q: How did you end up in dispatch and what kept you there after initial plans to become a firefighter?
I started because I wanted to help people and have something different every day; I initially planned to be a firefighter, but ultimately fell in love with dispatch and stayed, finding purpose and a career that chose me.
Within the Trenches Ep 661
Q: Why do you think dispatcher suicide is still something people whisper about?
Because the profession is stigmatized and seen as not 'serious' by outsiders, plus a history of not discussing mental health openly, which perpetuates silence and fear of being seen as weak.
Within the Trenches Ep 653
Q: What was your experience with training and becoming a trainer yourself?
She describes a long three-phase training process, initial doubts, and ultimately becoming a trainer because she wanted to shape others' experiences and create an ideal partner mindset.
Within the Trenches Ep 653
Q: How did you get involved in public safety to begin with?
Nadine explains she moved from New York to Texas, entered the police department by chance, and discovered telecommunications was a field she could excel in, which led her into dispatch.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About Within the Trenches

What is Within the Trenches about and what kind of topics does it cover?

The show centers on the realities of 9-1-1 dispatch work, blending personal dispatch stories with insights on wellness, burnout, and peer support. Across episodes, listeners hear veteran operators share career journeys, frontline challenges, and practical strategies for mental health, training, and technology-enabled safety. Notable traits include candid discussions about trauma, a strong emphasis on community and peer support, and ongoing exploration of how tech, education, and public safety culture intersect to support those who answer the calls. The format often features roundtables, solo reflections, and guest experts from public safety, healthcare, and tech, with a clear commitment to humane, human-centered storytelling that resonates ... more

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How many listeners does Within the Trenches get?

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Which podcasts are similar to Within the Trenches?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Within the Trenches:

1. Sword and Scale
2. Crime Junkie
3. Park Predators
4. Serialously with Annie Elise
5. The Vanished Podcast

How many episodes of Within the Trenches are there?

Within the Trenches launched 14 years ago and published 670 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Within the Trenches?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

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What guests have appeared on Within the Trenches?

Recent guests on Within the Trenches include:

1. Dawn Shumway
2. Casey Rees
3. Gianna Gatto
4. Roxy Van Gundy
5. Brent Rao
6. Brandy Powell
7. Ashley Williams
8. Autumn Martin

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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