The Use of Coaching in the Emergency Services Field

First responders, firefighters, medical personal, and police officers deal with the public 24/7.  At times, the interaction between the public and emergency personal can be very tense and poor communication prolongs the conflict.  For example, often emergency personnel tell people what NOT to do, the people miss hearing the don’t, and they keep doing what they are expected to stop doing.  Instead, by saying what to do, people will know what to do and be able to follow directions.  Adding the communication skills from coach training in the emergency services field has the benefit of better interaction with the public as well as better cooperation from the public during tense situations.

To further expand on and deepen the communication skills, many language techniques are covered in coaching certification.  One of these is to learn about poison words.  These are words that limit understanding and shut people down including: you need to, don ‘t, and you should.  These examples are words that emergency personal use when dealing with the public.  Such examples are “don’t do that”, “you should do this”, etc.   When emergency services personal learn coaching skills, they will learn words that move people forward in a positive, proactive manners.  For example, say what they WANT someone to do and using words that motivate follow through such as because, here is how to…, and easily.

Coaching skills for emergency services can be a lifesaver!  Coaching is a tool to help cope with challenging situations.  Coaching is powerful for understanding how to communicate with different personalities and thought processes.  When emergency personnel are talking with an individual and apply coaching language, using words that work increases a successful result for all involved.  Coaching certification also teaches how to motivate people to want to do something and to follow through.  In emergency situations, this will help with reactions and results.

To learn more about coaching, visit https://www.CoachCert.com or complete the contact form at https://www.coachcert.com/about/ccc/contact-us.html and our team will get back to you!

Cathy Liska

For content specific to coach training and coaching, guest blog posts are welcome.

Most blog posts here are written or curated by Cathy Liska, Guide from the Side®, CDP, MCC.

Cathy is CEO/Founder of the Center for Coaching Certification, CCC. As Guide from the Side®, she is a sought-after trainer and coach with over 30 years of experience in business management and ownership. Cathy built her diverse team at CCC that includes trainers, customer service, and coaches. She was Co-Leader for ICF’s Ethics Community of Practice, on the Leadership Team for the review and updating of the Code of Ethics in 2024, and active in the Ethics Water Cooler. To ensure she stays current in related areas of expertise, Cathy has earned the following: ICF’s Master Certified Coach (MCC), Certified Coach Trainer, Certified Consumer Credit Counselor, Certificate of Excellence in Nonprofit Leadership and Management, Grief Support Group Facilitator, Certified in the Drucker Self-Assessment Tool, Certified Apartment Manager, Certified Civil and Family Mediator, and Certified in DISC.

Cathy’s clients range from attorneys to corporate executives, government to nonprofit, entrepreneurs to children, under or unemployed to newly retired. She specializes in communication, management, conflict, and leadership. Her personal mission statement is “People.” Cathy is known for her passion to serve others so they achieve the results they want.

Podcast: https://www.coachcert.com/podcast.html

Publications: Coaching Perspectives (a series of books with chapters by coach training graduates) https://www.coachcert.com/resources/recommended-reading/coaching-perspectives-series-by-the-center-for-coaching-certification-and-more.html

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