Watch how the captain, the rookie, the driver, the dispatcher and OnStar work as one courageous, selfless and tactical unit
OnStar Advisors work with First Responders to save lives every day. But who are these heroes, and what drives some of them to work 24-hour shifts doing some of the most dangerous — yet rewarding — jobs in the world?
Go behind the scenes and learn how firefighters work with dispatchers and OnStar as a courageous, selfless and tactical team.
The captain: Dan Dumas
A crew is only as good as its captain. It takes a substantial amount of time, training and trust to turn a mere fire station into a functioning firehouse. It starts with communication. After a call comes in from dispatch, Captain Dan’s carefully assembled crew of dedicated firefighters and paramedics drop what they’re doing and spring into action. They place their fate in each other’s hands and sacrifice their safety for the greater good. Success comes down to three things: procedure, professionalism and personality.
Rewarding First Responders
As a thank you for all you do, we offer OnStar plan discounts and cash allowances on select Chevrolet, Buick, GMC and Cadillac vehicles.
The rookie: CJ Waldren
There’s no such thing as a typical rookie, with the exception of one shared trait: a naturally courageous disposition and inborn urge to help those in need. But it also takes a heavy dose of humility. In the morning, you’re washing trucks. At lunch, you’re cooking the family meal — and it better be on the table at 12 sharp. The only way to earn the trust of an established crew is to keep your head down and work as hard you can. But it’s all worth it. Because in the end, you’re fulfilling a dream. And after that first year, no matter what happens, they’ll always have your back.
The driver: Ryan Gross
After OnStar helps share the location
Clearing the path
First Responders can’t reach their destination if the roads aren’t plowed. See how one of the country’s snowiest cities keeps the roads clear.
The dispatcher: Shelly Metikosh with OnStar’s Emergency Services Leader Sherry LeVeque
Whether it’s a fender bender or a more serious emergency, OnStar Advisors are often the first link in the chain of communication for First Responders. They’re highly skilled, trained in the same lingo and protocols as their counterpart emergency dispatchers. The information exchange that occurs between the two is vital. As we hear from two veteran dispatchers, time is always of the essence, and accuracy is critical.
