911 dispatcher tells her story of domestic abuse

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911 dispatcher tells her story of domestic abuse

9-1-1 in the News, Profiles | Greg | March 23, 2010 at 1:57 pm

Debra Laberdie, a shift leader with Livingston County 911 Central Dispatch in Howell, Michigan, has shared her story of growing up with domestic abuse in article she wrote for this month’s Public Safety Communications magazine.

The story, titled “Why Doesn’t She Just Leave Him?” was based on a six-minute training module Debra had to develop and present as part of her job requirements at Livingston County. Supervisor Mimi Yenshaw was so touched by the story that she submitted it to the magazine.

Laberdie’s training presentation had pictures of abuse victims with fat lips and black eyes. She used 911 recordings of women screaming and begging for help.

Yet, something was missing.

Laberdie knew she needed to include a personal element, but was she ready to dredge up memories she had long since buried?

“I worked very hard to get those memories out of my head. Writing that,” she said, pointing to a mock-up of the magazine story, “brought them all back.”