I enjoyed many of the classes offered during Navigator - coving areas such as Management, Leadership, Stress and some specialist Medical Topics. Sometimes it was difficult to choose which session to go to as there were so many interesting ones on at the same time.
My favourite parts of the conference was our little trip to one of the Emergency Communication Centres here in Salt Lake City, a tri-agency facility that manages all police fire and medical in one centre, and meeting people from all over and learning all the similarities and differences with each service.
The hotel was completely lush. Definitely the nicest place I've ever stayed in. A little intimidating at times. I got a knock at my door one evening and a maid was asking if I wanted the bed turn-down service. I'm sure she would have found me a snuggy and tucked me in I that was wanted but in all honesty, I found it a little weird.
I met some fantastic people. I spent Friday afternoon/evening cruising around downtown and stopped for a delicious Italian meal with one of the girls, Amy, who is from Calgary in Canada. I'm sure we will be friends for a long time to come. I got an invite to a dance club from one of the fire-fighters (described to me as the elegant piano bar 'Keys on Main'. Hmmm, from stories some of the others were telling, there was much drinking and table-dancing. I was in SLC for business purposes, so I declined that one - besides, even 8.30pm has been way past my bedtime here (damn jet lag!). I guess I'll have to make up for fun once I hit Vegas town!
I have made some great contacts with both US and Canadian Comms Centres and look forward to continuing dialogue about setting up an International Emergency Dispatcher Exchange Program. I'm thinking this thing is way bigger than me just wanting to do a year in another country. Almost everyone I spoke to is quite excited by the idea and there were quite a few Dispatchers who would be keen to do an exchange.
The closing luncheon of the Conference was great. We had a very yummy 3 course meal and were thoroughly entertained by one of the local comedians. It was a bit sad when it all came to an end but by all accounts this was the best Navigator Conference so far.
Due to budgetary constraints, I switched hotels on Friday afternoon and have now moved about 5 minutes up the road to a rather cosy hotel near the airport for about a third of the cost. During the move I realised I had another car issue. The maintenance required light came on and was staying on. Knowing that I still have quite a few miles to cover before I am back in LA, I phoned Fox to ask them what I needed to do. Surely in hiring the car for a couple of weeks, they would have to realize that I may be travelling quite a distance and there would be an expectation that the car would work without a hitch for the entire hire time.
I must say Fox Rentals have been fantastic. I had a choice of taking the vehicle to their local repairers or just head over to their SLC office to swap it out with a new vehicle. New, clean car? Ok. So now I am driving a bright red Toyota Corolla, all squeaky clean and even came with this funny-looking contraption that I had an ah-ha moment with...a snow brush/scraper!!!!
This morning (Saturday)', I got up early and drove myself up to Park City, the 2002 Winter Olympics site. It was beautiful drive, and got to dance around (as well as drive in) some fabulous fat fluffy snow. The town is gorgeous, but in my attempt to outsmart the SLC traffic (which in some ways I have found to be just as frustrating as San Francisco and Paris (why did you suddenly stop for no obvious reason on a 110klm/hr thoroughfare for no apparent reason???? Why?), it was way too early in the morning for anything to be open.
I have come back to my cosy room for a rest and to make sure I have some clean socks to put on (laundry time!). I have just got my security clearance to go back to visit at Valley Emergency Comms Centre this afternoon, so a little after lunch I'll head over that way.
If the weather clears for tonight, I'll go for a visit to the SLC planetarium, but if not I won't complain for a reasonably early night. I have a big drive tomorrow at the end of which I will be in the little old part town of Las Vegas!!! I have a friend of mine I used to work with at Cape York Partnerships, Rhonda, meeting me there, which I am really looking forward to, and should be able to catch up with one Steve and Itoshi's friends there too.
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