Law enforcement officers, firefighters, paramedics, 9-1-1 operators and utility workers are all on the front line in an effort to protect the lives and livelihoods of the citizens of their communities, even during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The first line of communications in an emergency are the often overlooked 9-1-1 operators who receive vital information from callers and dispatch the proper response to the proper location.
Louisville-Winston E-911 Coordinator Felecia Mays stated that she has a good staff and even with the social distancing recommendations she is trying to work with full crews.
Mays pointed out that this past week was National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week, but due to the pandemic they were unable to recognize her staff properly. She added that the call volume has surged and the operators have done a stellar job in handling the increased volume, and truly deserve recognition.
Winston County Sheriff Jason Pugh and Louisville Police Chief Sean Holdiness are seeing similar responses from the public. Both Pugh and Holdiness agreed that the public seems to be taking the ‘Shelter in Place’ order to heart, and are obeying the curfew, as well.
Both agencies are working with full crews and Pugh stated that on weekends he is bringing in some extra officers to help patrol businesses. Holdiness added it seems the number of incidents within the City have decreased, and generally speaking the public seems to understand the gravity of the current situation and are being cooperative.
Both Louisville PD and Winston SO have issued protective equipment to their officers and are limiting access to their headquarters, for the safety of the public and department employees.
Louisville Fire Chief Johnny Haynes said that the virus has had little effect upon his department, and thus far there have been no structure fires or accidents to respond to. His personnel have been issued personal protective equipment, but social distancing has not been an issue as his department works with two-man crews.
These first responders place themselves in harms way to serve and protect our local communities despite the threat to their own safety.
