KSP Celebrates National Telecommunicator Appreciation Week
CAMPBELLSBURG, KY. (April 14, 2020) — Telecommunicators at Kentucky State Police Post 5 in Campbellsburg will be recognized along with more than 200,000 of their fellow communicators nationwide April 12-18 during National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week.
These silent heroes behind the headsets are more than just a voice on the other end of the line. They often save lives on a daily basis.
“The resilience exhibited by Post 5 dispatchers, while they remain composed and compassionate when handling emergency calls involving the lives of citizens in the commonwealth, is extraordinary.” says Captain David Trimble, Commander of Post 5 in Campbellsburg. “I am immensely grateful for the way Post 5 dispatchers use their unique talents while carrying out the public safety mission of the Kentucky State Police. They are an extraordinary asset to the community served by the Campbellsburg Post.”
KSP employs 180 telecommunicators at 16 posts throughout the state. In 2019, they answered 2.1 million calls resulting in 500,236 requests for assistance. Post 5 currently employs eleven telecommunicators, and last year responded to 36,667 calls for service.
KSP Post 5 telecommunicators handle dispatch duties for Kentucky State Troopers, Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Officers, and Kentucky Dept. of Fish and Wildlife Conservation Officers. In addition, they also serve as 911 dispatch for twenty five (25) other emergency service agencies in the Post 5 service area, including 6 other Police agencies, 14 Fire Departments, 3 EMS agencies, and 2 Rescue services. Telecommunicator duties include calling wrecker services, notifying channels of administration, running license plate and driver’s license numbers, running criminal histories and notifying family members while continuing to answer new calls and handling other radio traffic. Most important, they are that calming voice on the other line when someone calls 911 and is most likely having the worst day of their life.
Dispatcher Shelly Job has served the Commonwealth as a KSP Dispatcher for 23 years (all at Post 5), and recognizes the true value of telecommunicators. “Dispatchers are always there to answer the call. Providing an indispensable service 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. Dispatchers calm the scared, settle the upset, provide a calm voice in a tornado of emotion and rock solid logic in situations beyond conscious comprehension. They are a stead fast voice of devotion and support to the communities and emergency responders they serve. I am forever grateful and give tremendous thanks to our post 5 dispatchers for their service and dedication.” -Shelly Job, Post 5 Dispatcher.
Post 5 Telecommunicators include: Rebecca Mills, Owenton, 15 years service; Shelly Job, Smithfield, 23 years service; Melinda Portman, Campbellsburg, 24 years service; Aimee Lashley, Port Royal, 21 years service; Jerri Scott, New Castle, 17 years service; Jessica Beverly, Eminence, 11 years service; Dennis Tegethoff, Lagrange, 10 years service; Shelby Grant, English, 2 years service; Kayla Engle, New Castle, 2 years service; Rye Howard, Owenton, 2 years service; and Maggie Mollak, Louisville, 1 year service.
During National Telecommunicator’s Appreciation Week, KSP plans to highlight the great work of all dispatchers across the state by highlighting stories of their great work and sharing photos and videos about their efforts on the KSP Facebook, Instagram and Twitter platforms.
For more information or to apply for a telecommunication position with KSP, log on to the state personnel website at www.personnel.ky.gov, or contact Post 5 at 502-532-6363. The Kentucky State Police (KSP) is a law enforcement agency that prides itself on attracting the best individuals. KSP affords equal employment opportunity to all individuals, regardless of race, creed, color, religion, gender or age.
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