From the time a child enters kindergarten he begins to hear about 9-1-1 and it's purpose, a number, easy to remember, to dial in case of an emergency. But often little thought is given to those who stand ready to answer those calls on a 24/7 basis. They are most often referred to as dispatchers, but technically they are emergency telecommunicators, a go- between for those in desperate situations and those who respond to the emergencies. They are the emergency responders whom we never see, they don't ride around in patrol cars with flashing lights, nor fight fires, nor perform lifesaving measures on ill patients.
Their workplace is usually a small workstation, with phones, radios and a bank of computer monitors that would probably be very confusing to the average person.
Yet without these unseen heroes the work of emergency services would very quickly come to a halt and fall apart. The telecommunicator has been described as the first first- responder, as he/she is the first to deal directly with the public in crisis.
The telecommunicator is the professional who must always keep his/her emotions in check while dealing with horrific situations that would cause many people to break. They have to be strong and fearless while on the job, yet able to deal with their feelings and emotions once the job is finished. It is not an easy job, yet a very necessary job.
The second full week of April each year is recognized as National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week, and is an effort to recognize the hard work and dedication of these professionals.
Winston County is served by 9-1-1 Coordinator, Felicia Mays, and her staff: Edy Bradford, 16 years experience; Patricia Coleman, 7 years; Ashley Whitfield, 5 years; Derricka Hardin, 5 years; Tammie Triplett, 4 years; and new-hires Tiannia Johnson and Sierra Kent. Mays has been serving Louisville and Winston County for 17 years.
As a part of National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week, a number of local businesses treated the 9-1-1 staff to show their appreciation, including Pizza Hut, Vowell's Market, Subway, Wendy's, Jack's, and Bumpers. Patient Care EMS gave them a happy basket, and the East and West Post Constable gave the dispatchers a happy treat, as well, and the Louisville City Hall purchased a flower for each dispatcher.
This past Friday featured and Easter egg hunt with the Easter Bunny on hand to entertain the children, and a cookout with Sgt. Wilbert Holmes and Sgt. and Tremon Miller acting as chefs, and Mayor Will Hill provided bouncy houses for the kids. The Winston Plywood & Veneer leadership team continues to express their support for the community and demonstrated their appreciation to those who serve by attending a luncheon on Good Friday, which was the culmination of National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week. The entire Louisville-Winston E-911 staff received a plaque in appreciation for their service, and Mays also highlighted the service of Anita Coleman, a dispatcher who finished a shift in June 2021, went home and suffered a stroke shortly thereafter.
