Local dispatchers honored

By Sandy Morris

The second week in April is traditionally designated as national Public Safety Telecommunicators Week and this week, April    11-17, local dispatchers were recognized for the work they do behind the scenes of public safety.

Many people don’t realize the training and discipline necessary to become a public safety dispatcher, according to Shackelford County sheriff Ed Miller.

A new dispatcher is required to take the basic telecommunicator licensing course within the first year of being hired.

In addition, dispatchers must attend the TDD/TTY course to learn how to communicate with callers who are deaf or are unable to verbally communicate.

Continuing education also is needed and telecommunicators must have 20 CE hours every two years. 

Miller said local dispatchers are required to have additional training because of assigned jail duties.

“We really have a little bit of a twist when it comes to Shackelford County training requirements,” Miller said. “Because our dispatchers also serve as jailers, they have to obtain that additional education and license.”

Miller said his staff of five dispatchers wears a number of hats for the department. 

“Not only do they answer 9-1-1 calls and general switchboard calls, they manage radio traffic, monitor the jail cameras,  and search female inmates on intake,” said Miller. 

Shackelford County Law Enforcement Center dispatch supervisor Kelly Pate said the current roster, in addition to herself. includes Misty Stevens, Melynda Flournoy, Kelsey Churchill, and Autumn Palato. 

Pate said she has been impressed with how well the staff steps up when needed.

“I recently was covering a shift for Kelsey who had requested time off,” said Pate. “Misty was my relief and called in terribly sick. I didn’t know what I was going to do, but without being asked, Melynda offered to come in early and relieve me.”

Dispatchers work assigned schedules of six to 12 hour shifts with rotating weekends off in order to constantly staff the communications center and to send police, fire, and EMS personnel on calls for service. 

“Our call center currently dispatches for the sheriff’s office, Albany Police Department, Texas Department of Public Safety, Shackelford County EMS, Texas Parks and Wildlife, and five local and area fire departments,” said Miller. 

The sheriff added that he couldn’t ask for a better crew in this department, or in the jail or patrol.

“This is just a great group of gals that we have right now,” Miller said. “They take care of each other and volunteer to cover for each other if a need arises. I never have to call anybody in to work, because they have already covered the shift.”

Texas Governor Abbott, who signed a bill in 2019 recognizing telecommunicators as first responders, encourages everyone to learn more about the vital role these professionals play in Texans’ everyday lives, and to extend their appreciation to public safety telecommunications. 

SCSO telecommunicators were shown thanks from the sheriff’s office with backpacks and water bottles, organized by Pate, and the West Central Texas Council of Governments 9-1-1 program was scheduled to visit on Wednesday to deliver appreciation gifts. 

On Monday, the Shackelford County Commissioners passed a resolution proclaiming the week of April 12 as national Public Safety Telecommunicators Week.