11/17/2026
1:00 PM - 5:00 PM EST


Location: Isabella County Central Dispatch, 2010 E Preston St, Mt Pleasant, MI 48858

A submerged vehicle, an exotic animal on the loose in your community, a farm accident...do you know what questions to ask and how to quickly deploy needed resources? This course is designed to provide you with a foundation of knowledge to help you confidently handle uncommon or rare call types. Through real-world examples, we’ll explore how a variety of unusual calls were managed, evaluate the decision-making processes, and identify additional questions that could have been asked. After reviewing and analyzing select call scenarios, you'll engage in dynamic group exercises that challenge you to apply critical thinking skills and develop action plans. You'll learn to be better able to respond to targeted questions addressing the impact of the call, utilize appropriate communication strategies, standard operating procedures, available resources, and avoid potential pitfalls.

This is a half day (four hour) course that will run from 1 pm to 5 pm; the cost is $150 per person and the course is SNC approved (MNA2025-5587).

Faculty: Rich Thacker brings over 19 years of dispatch experience to MACNLOW courses, including 16 years at Eaton County Central Dispatch where he served as CTO, supervisor, and training coordinator. A CMCP and ENP-certified professional who also has a military police background and three Army Commendations for Meritorious Service, Rich instructs in MACNLOW's Basic and Advanced 40-Hour Dispatch Schools along with specialized courses on Active Shooter Incidents, Tactical Dispatching, the Opioid Crisis in Dispatch, and more.  A highly-rated instructor with hundreds of five-star reviews, Rich infuses his expertise, energy, and humor into every class.