08/31/2026
The Career Center enjoyed hosting a panel of guest speakers from the Hollis Communications Center and the New Hampshire Department of Safety, Division of Emergency Services and Communications (New Hampshire 911). Professionals Wes Mansfield and Jack Stawasz (Hollis Communications Center) and Patrick Cavanaugh (NH Department of Safety) joined our Criminal Justice, Human Services, and Health Science students to share what it's really like to work in emergency dispatch. Dispatchers are the first voices people hear when they call for help — the first responders literally talking callers through some of the hardest moments of their lives while coordinating help. The NH Department of Safety routes calls to the appropriate local centers, including Hollis Communications Center (which handles Hollis, Brookline, and Mason), and both agencies dispatch police, fire, and emergency services as needed. Students learned that success in this field requires essential traits, like staying calm under pressure and communicating clearly. We're grateful to Wes, Jack, and Patrick for their insight, highlighting this critical career path.
