Growing in the Gaps: Embracing Rest, Resilience, and the Unseen Journeys of 911

Written by Valerie S. D’Intino ENP, RPL

Not everyone is looking for a corner office. And it's a select few who dream that they will become a director someday. Formal leadership roles are not for everyone. We each have our own journeys and are called to follow our own path.

Twenty-six years ago, I identified less with a formal title and more with a mission. I wanted to be involved, I wanted to grow, I wanted to be a factor. But I wasn't interested in promotions or titles. For many years, I felt called to stay on the frontlines making a difference to my callers, field units, and co-workers. 

Change creeps up on us, though, little by little, and one day, we find ourselves agreeing to train yet another new person and finally being appointed as an official CTO or PSAP Coordinator. Those are titles to things that many already do daily in the 911 industry, without official titles. Those who are not official trainers often lend a hand to their teammates and show them something new, or guide them through a harrowing experience. We become accidental leaders without warning. At times, presented with circumstances where we are the one that makes a stand, guides the team, or invents a timely solution, we become that mentor that others look up to on a daily basis. 

Throughout my career, I have been a follower, a leader, a risk taker, and a status quo gal. I have stepped out and stepped up.  And I have hung back, fraught with imposter syndrome, wondering if I dare consider myself not qualified but worthy.

Fortunately, we have come to recognize that growth is not linear. It’s not necessarily about making headlines. It’s about the foundation we build when no one is watching. It’s the resilience we develop when we take a step back. It’s the passion we carry forward when we’re ready to move again. 

It was a hard lesson to learn. Initially in my career, I followed the paint-by-number kit we all received on our first day as a 911 Professional.  I thought I had to be advancing or I was of little consequence.  It took time, but I’ve learned that we don't have to tread the same path as others; and if we do, we don't have to do it in the same order or at the same pace. 

So often, we encounter limitless opportunities at an alarming rate. To our detriment, this can feel like we are required to pursue everything if we intend to become anything. So much so, that when opportunities to rest present themselves, we can feel like failures. We might wrongly accuse ourselves of being apathetic or lazy. Sadly, we oftentimes glorify advancement and promotions over resting. Using this standard, it’s no wonder that when choosing a boundary or to rest, it can feel like falling behind or failing, when we are in a season of reflecting and rebuilding.

The graph that reminds us that success is not a straight shot to the top paints a picture of peaks and valleys. What if we recognized those valleys as rest breaks rather than failings? Consider that just as our body must rest and sleep, perhaps the dips in our careers are opportunities to relax, and recharge. In our physical body, resting is a time of rejuvenation. Human Growth Hormone is released during sleep. The release of HGH during sleep is a critical part of how your body is restored while sleeping.

It is this restorative phenomenon that I believe I've come to experience.  At times, my career may have looked as if I was standing still. Could it be that instead, I was resting, restoring, and preparing for such a time as this? Perhaps, not visible to others, I was putting down strong roots.

Growth is not linear. Growth is messy. It is becoming and unbecoming. It is blossoming and retreating.

It has only been in the past 3 of my 26+ years that I have acknowledged that my roots are strong, and my branches are solid, and I’m ready. During these past few years, I’ve sought to take on new challenges.  I’ve found my voice in public speaking, and some earned some, “important to me”, certifications. 

I started studying for my ENP (Emergency Number Professional certification) in January of 2022, and took the exam in October of that year. NENA, the National Emergency Number Association, has established a process by which we can demonstrate a command of the wide-ranging knowledge base required for emergency number program management.

It was not a pretty process for me, and it certainly wasn't straightforward. It looked nothing like taking an elevator to the top floor. At times, I was full of doubt and felt laughable, and like an imposter who had no business and no hope of earning this certification. Some days, I studied for hours, drew pictures, asked questions, and felt accomplished, and other times I would ignore the materials for weeks, only to later rally and dig in again. All that effort (and rest) culminated in taking, and PASSING the exam. Achieving this certification doesn't bring a new job title or a raise for me. Instead, becoming an ENP gives me a sense of self. It's empowered me to embrace more and new challenges. 

I don't regret not doing it long ago when I was resting. I now recognize that in those gaps, the growth during that time was simply not visible to others, not even to myself. I was putting down roots and growing in ways that no one could see.

I leave you with this: if you are feeling stuck or stale, take inventory of all your growth, from trainee to today.  It may be that you’ve been harsh, and you should celebrate the contributions you’ve made to your community and 911. If you want MORE, make an action plan to try something new or move to whatever new level you seek. You don't have to become a director to be a leader in this profession. And there is not a thing wrong with taking the time to rest; in fact, it's necessary. The real danger is not in resting but in not giving ourselves credit for the important work we’re doing every day. 

To learn more about ENP and apply and start studying for your exam, click here: https://www.nena.org/page/ENP_Certification 

Thank you, Valerie for sharing your experience with us. If you are interested in writing a blog, please email amanda@911derwomen.com. Sign up for our newsletter on our homepage to stay up to date with 911der Women programming, exclusive content and blog updates. Click here and scroll to the bottom.