Rutherford County Emergency Telecommunicators Honored
Telecommunicators of the Year are from left, Benjamin Hunt of MTSU Police, Amber Bryant and Cris Kamka of LaVergne Police, Reasa Thibodeaux of Smyrna Police, Michelle Corum of the Sheriff’s Office and Rutherford Fire and Rescue and Brandy Sweeney of Murfreesboro Police and Murfreesboro Fire and Rescue. Not shown is Penny Barrett of the Emergency Medical Services and Andrea White, Kenneth Criswell, Candace Elmore, Jamie Harrell, Dalivus Morgan and Priscilla West of La Vergne Police (Photo courtesy of WGNS).
MURFREESBORO, TN – Since being officially designated by Congress in 1991, public safety agencies across the country have recognized the instrumental role played by telecommunicators during National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week. Telecommunicators are the dedicated professionals who answer 9-1-1 calls, process requests for service, and utilize technical skills to provide communications support to law enforcement, fire and rescue departments, and emergency medical services. The second week of April is dedicated to these “first first responders” who serve as public safety telecommunicators.
The Rutherford County Emergency Communications District (RCECD) held an awards luncheon on Friday, April 15th at the DoubleTree Hotel to honor six telecommunicators who were recognized by their respective public safety agencies for exemplary service. Mike Walker, LaVergne Chief of Police was the guest speaker & Jeff Davidson, Deputy to the Mayor presented the awards.
“It has been a long standing tradition that the Rutherford County Emergency Communications District Board of Directors has dedicated time each year to honor the outstanding men and women who answer the public’s calls to 911 seeking help”, said Steve Smith, RCECD Director.
The 2016 recipients of the Telecommunicator Awards are Michelle Corum of the Rutherford County Sheriff’s Department, Brandy Sweeney of the Murfreesboro Police Department, Reasa Thibodeaux of the Smyrna Police Department, Emergency Services Communications Division staff Andrea White, Amber Bryant, Kenneth Criswell, Candace Elmore, Jamie Harrell, Christine Kamka, Dalivus Morgan and Priscilla West of the LaVergne Police Department, Benjamin Hunt of the MTSU Police Department, and Penny Barrett of the Rutherford County Emergency Medical Service.
“The Rutherford County Emergency Communications District continues to ensure that our 911 public safety answering points are provided the most current 911 technologies available. The benefits of such technologies however, would not be fully realized without the dedicated service of those individuals recognized by their departments this week”, said Smith.
Created by public referendum in 1986, the Rutherford County Emergency Communications District provides Enhanced 9-1-1 emergency communications services through five public safety answering points (PSAPs) operating within Rutherford County.
