Hi my name is Chris. For 32 years I worked as a 9-1-1 Dispatcher in one of the highest stress filled environments. I had planned on retiring this year but needed to stay at work due to a pension loan and credit union loan that needed to be satisfied. Additionally, the overtime was available for me to work in order to keep myself afloat so I decided to stick it out for a while longer. Those of you in this field know the pay is sub-standard for the level of stress you deal with every day for 8 to sometimes 16 hours a day for seeing humanity at its worst. A fry cook at your local fast food establishment makes more than an entry level dispatcher who deals with life threatening emergencies every day. So, due to a very unfortunate event and unforeseen circumstances I was asked to resign from my position or face departmental charges. With an outstanding pension loan of $8,000 and a credit union loan of $7,000 I’m sinking. Due to the low pay I always found myself robbing Peter to pay Paul. I will not get my first pension check until another 6-8 weeks and when I do it will be for less than $400 a month after taxes an pension payments. The bills are piling up and up against the wall still facing the credit union loan to pay off. This is difficult for me because I never ask for help but I’m always willing to give it when I can. Even the higher-ups at the department said that termination was harsh, a suspension would have been sufficient discipline for my actions, but due to PC and the cancel culture of today I was asked to take an early retirement. I’m afraid that the two weeks the department gave me to get my affairs in order wasn’t enough. I’ve found some part time work but it’s not enough to pay a mortgage, gas/electric, cable, car insurance, food and whatever life throws at you. Please if you find it in your heart to help, HELP ME. I suffer from depression and anxiety and I’m trying to cope, it’s just a very difficult time for me now.