Salute to Dispatchers

CRESCO - This week is a time to celebrate those who dedicate their lives to serving the public. It is a week that should be set aside so everyone can be made aware of their hard work and dedication.

An estimated 240 million calls are made to 9-1-1 in the U.S. each year. In many areas, 80% or more are from wireless devices.

Dos and Don’ts

• 9-1-1 is for police, fire and medical emergencies only. Non-emergency calls should be directed to non-emergency phone numbers; EPPD: 832-4400 and EPFD: 212-5600.

• Details are critical. Stay on the line with the 9-1-1 operator and answer all the questions that they ask. Provide an accurate location, if you do not know the exact address, provide the call taker with all the details that you can. Look for landmarks, cross streets, signs and buildings. First responders need an accurate location to respond as fast as possible.

• Try to stay calm and speak clearly.

• Don’t hang up when calling 9-1-1. If you called by mistake, let the operator know.

• DO NOT call 9-1-1 for jokes or prank calls.

National Public Safety Telecommunicator Week was first conceived by Patricia Anderson of the Contra Costa County (Calif.) Sheriff’s Office in 1981 and was quickly adopted in Virginia and North Carolina. By the 1990s, the National Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials (APCO) convinced Congress of the need for a formal proclamation.

In 1994, “National Public Safety Telecommunicator Week” was formally recognized and is celebrated each year during the second full week of April to coincide with National 9-1-1 Education Month.

Dispatchers in Howard County have given a little information about themselves.

 

Cathy Cleveland

I have been a dispatcher for 12 years and lived in the county for about 30 years.

I am married to Troy and have a son, Trever and a daughter, Taylor.

My favorite part of the job is the feeling of accomplishment after helping someone in need and just knowing that you have helped them.

My least favorite part is probably not always knowing the outcome on calls — not knowing if that person in an accident and flown by a helicopter to a hospital survives.  

Something the general public doesn’t know is how many different things we do, and have to do all at the same time. There is a lot of multitasking, such as answering two lines for the sheriff’s office and two lines for the police department; answering the 911 phone; dispatching deputies and police officers; dispatching for Cresco, Chester, Elma, Lime Springs, Protivin and Riceville fire departments; dispatching for Cresco Ambulance and Riceville Ambulance; and monitoring our inmates in the jail. A lot of times there is just one of us on duty.

 

Alyse Fouts

 

 Jessica Gesell

12 years of service

 

Becky Hodges

Six years

 

Michelle Kuhn 

Seven years of service 

I have lived in Howard County for 38 years. 

 

Sami Swestka

I have been a dispatcher for  16 months.

I have lived in the county for nine years.

 

 

Melaney Walkes

I have been dispatching for 10 years but am new to law enforcement dispatching.

I just moved to Iowa in December from Minnesota.

I am getting married in June. I have three kiddos of my own and gained three more sons when my fiancée and I met.

My favorite part of the job is helping people. I don’t think I have a least favorite part of the job.

The public doesn’t know that calling 911 doesn’t give an exact location like T.V. portrays. We can’t help you unless you tell us where you are.