Please Hold, We're Experiencing A Full Moon

No, this isn’t a post about werewolves, although the reality might seem just as fantastical. While the idea of losing self-control and humanity to become slavering beasts under a full moon might seem far-fetched, it's closer to the truth than many would realize.

There may not be dramatic physical transformations involved, but anyone who has spent a decent amount of time in emergency services will tell you: the “full moon effect” is very real.

Something about a full moon seems to bring out the worst—or perhaps the most chaotic—in people. Some of the busiest nights I can remember working happened during a full moon. Fights, domestic disturbances, bizarre accidents, and even petty thefts—it’s as if the full moon’s glow flips a switch in the city, magnifying every vice and folly.

While the sheer number of calls caused by a full moon is almost impossible to count, I recall one in particular quite clearly. Fairly early on in my dispatch career, on the night of a full moon, I took a 911 call from a man who had been shot in a home invasion. Due to the remote location, I had to stay on the phone with him, doing my best to keep him calm and help him manage his injuries for nearly ten minutes before help could arrive. The relief that I’m sure we both felt when the first deputies arrived on the scene is a feeling I will likely never forget.

These nights remind me that, as a dispatcher, you’re often the lifeline between chaos and calm. A full moon night can transform a usually steady shift into one that feels like a rollercoaster ride through the wildest corners of human behavior.

So, the next time you see a full moon, check on your dispatcher friends. While it may be a beautiful sight for many, for us, it's often a night of heightened alertness and unexpected challenges. It's a reminder of the unpredictable yet essential nature of our work.