Wellness Program for 911 Emergency Communication Centers

Project Headset Reset was built specifically for emergency communications professionals—helping reduce physical strain, support stress recovery, and strengthen long-term workforce wellness while integrating seamlessly into daily operations.

Demands & Challenges of Emergency Communications Professional

Emergency communications professionals operate in one of the most demanding environments in public safety. Long shifts, sustained console posture, staffing shortages, and continuous exposure to crisis calls create a unique combination of physical, mental, and emotional stress that can impact employee wellbeing, morale, and retention.

Common Challenges Include:

  • Neck & shoulder tension from prolonged headset use

  • Upper & lower back discomfort from extended sitting

  • Mental fatigue from sustained vigilance

  • Stress accumulation following difficult calls

  • Burnout associated with high-demand work environments

  • Limited opportunities for recovery during active shifts

Supporting dispatcher wellness is more than an employee benefit—it's an investment in workforce resilience, morale, and operational readiness.

So, What Can Be Done About It?

Project Headset Reset

Simple. Professional. Onsite Wellness Built for Dispatch Operations by a Former Dispatcher .

Individual Session Format

Each participating dispatcher receives their own dedicated session:

  • Fully clothed sessions

  • Targeted therapeutic chair massage

  • Focus on common dispatch-related tension areas

Capacity: Approximately 13–14 employees per 4-hr shift block

Flexible Program Options

Tailored to meet the needs of your agency through:

  • Pilot wellness sessions

  • Recurring day and night shift wellness visits

  • Telecommunicator Week celebrations

  • Employee appreciation events

  • Wellness fairs and special events

  • Customized wellness solutions

PHR is designed to integrate seamlessly into the dispatch environment while supporting employee wellbeing, morale, and stress recovery.

Onsite Delivery

Services are provided onsite using a portable massage chair and may be conducted in a breakroom, training room, conference room, or other designated quiet space.

Everything is designed to support employee wellness while minimizing disruption to operational workflow and adapting to the realities of an active communications center.

Operational Awareness

HOT CALL ALLOWANCE: Because dispatch comes first, 4-hr PHR shift blocks may be adjusted or temporarily paused during critical incidents, high call volume events, or other operational demands up to an hour.

OVERNIGHT HOURS AVAILABLE: Because dispatch is a 24-hr operation shift blocks are also available after "normal" business hours.

PHR is built to support the people behind the headset while respecting the mission-critical nature of emergency communications.

By addressing both the physical and mental demands of dispatch work, Project Headset Reset provides agencies with a practical, low-disruption wellness initiative that supports the "first" first responders.

How Project Headset Reset Supports the Thin Gold Line

PHR is developed to address the unique physical and mental demands of emergency communication work. Through the C.A.L.M. Framework, the program focuses on four key areas that support employee wellbeing, stress recovery, and long-term workforce resilience.

C.A.L.M. Framework

C - Console Recovery

Targeted relief for the physical strain caused by long hours at dispatch consoles.

A - Anatomical Support

Focused work for the neck, shoulders, upper back, forearms, and lower back affected by headset posture and repetitive stress.

L - Lowering Stress Response

Therapeutic touch designed to help regulate the nervous system after prolonged high-alert states.

M - Mitigating Burnout

Supporting morale, retention, and overall wellness within emergency communications teams.

Practical Wellness Solutions, Built for Dispatchers

Pilot Wellness Session

Experience the program before committing.

Evaluate participation

Gather feedback

Determine operational fit

Recurring Wellness Visits

Consistent support for morale and stress recovery.

Day and night shift options

Minimal disruption

Flexible scheduling

Telecommunicator Week & Employee Appreciation Events

Celebrate and support your team.

Telecommunicator Week

Wellness fairs

Employee appreciation initiatives

Customized Wellness Solutions

Tailored to the unique needs of your agency.

Flexible scheduling options

Shift-specific wellness coverage

Special event support

Programs designed around operational needs

Chair massage is the delivery method. Employee wellness, resilience, and morale are the purpose.

Included in Every Visit

Onsite setup and breakdown

Portable massage chair

Fully clothed therapeutic chair massage sessions

Sanitation between participants

Licensed SC Massage Therapist

Professional liability insurance coverage

Consistent monthly scheduling allows the program to integrate efficiently within shift operations while maximizing participation and providing ongoing wellness support throughout the year.

Not Sure If PHR Will Work in Your Center? Start With a Pilot Wellness Session

Project Headset Reset can be introduced through a pilot wellness session designed to give leadership and staff an opportunity to experience the program firsthand.

A pilot session allows agencies to evaluate participation, operational fit, and employee response before establishing a recurring wellness schedule.

Pilot Session Includes:

  • 2- Hour Pilot Wellness Block

  • Fully clothed chair massage sessions

  • Onsite setup & sanitation

  • Approximately 8 - 10 participants

Adriane Maxwell, LMP RMT

Owner, One Healing Touch Reiki & Massage

✓ 11+ Years Emergency Dispatch Experience

✓ SC Licensed Massage Therapist

✓ Best of South Carolina Recipient

✓Fully Insured Professional

Designed by a Former 911 Dispatcher. Delivered by a Licensed Massage Therapist.

For more than 11 years, I worked as a 9-1-1 Emergency Dispatcher in consolidated centers. I understand the realities of long shifts, headset-related strain, staffing challenges, difficult calls, and the responsibility of remaining calm when every second matters.

Today, as a Licensed Massage Therapist and owner of One Healing Touch Reiki & Massage in North Charleston, I help clients recover from the effects of chronic stress and physical tension every day, especially those in high-stress roles much like emergency communications.

Project Headset Reset was created by combining those two experiences—firsthand knowledge of emergency communications and professional expertise in therapeutic bodywork and how consistent care supports mental and physical wellness.

My primary goal: provide meaningful wellness support for the "first" first responders through a program built specifically for the unique demands of dispatch work.

"After more than 11 years in emergency communications, I understand the physical and mental demands of the job because I've lived them."

Frequently Asked Questions

Answers to common questions about program implementation, participation, and operational considerations.

Is 100% participation required?

No. Participation is completely voluntary. Employees may choose whether or not to participate in scheduled wellness sessions.

Do employees need to change clothes?

No. All sessions are fully clothed and performed on a professional portable massage chair.

Will this disrupt dispatch operations?

No. PHR is designed specifically for emergency communications environments. Sessions are coordinated around operational needs and may be adjusted or paused during critical incidents, high call volume events, or other operational demands.

How much space is required?

A breakroom, training room, conference room, or other designated quiet space is typically sufficient.

Is the therapist licensed and insured?

Yes. Adriane is a Licensed Massage Therapist in South Carolina and maintains professional liability insurance coverage.

How many employees can participate during each visit?

A standard 4-hour wellness block accommodates approximately 13–14 employees through scheduled 15-minute sessions.

Can we start with a pilot session before committing to a monthly program?

Absolutely. Many agencies choose to begin with a pilot wellness session to evaluate participation, employee feedback, and operational fit before establishing a recurring schedule.

Is Project Headset Reset only available for 9-1-1 centers?

No. While the program was developed specifically for emergency communications professionals, it may also be adapted for other public safety communications environments and agencies.

Why is this program different from traditional corporate wellness services?

Project Headset Reset was created by a former 9-1-1 Emergency Dispatcher who understands the physical and mental demands of the profession firsthand. The program is specifically designed around the realities of dispatch work, including headset-related strain, shift schedules, staffing challenges, and operational requirements.

Project Headset Reset

Serving Emergency Communications Centers Across the Lowcountry

Project Headset Reset provides onsite wellness services for emergency communications centers throughout the Charleston region, including Charleston County, Dorchester County, Berkeley County, Summerville, North Charleston, Moncks Corner, and surrounding communities.

Unlike traditional corporate wellness programs, Project Headset Reset was built specifically for emergency communications professionals—helping reduce physical strain, support stress recovery, and strengthen long-term workforce wellness while integrating seamlessly into daily operations.

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© ADRIANE MAXWELL, LMP RMT 2026. One Healing Touch Reiki & Massage. All Rights Reserved.