SHERMAN, TEXAS – Eric Bridges, Executive Director of Texoma Council of Governments (TCOG), announced today the award recipients from its annual Texoma Regional 9-1-1 Telecommunicators Banquet, hosted by TCOG’s Public Safety staff on February 27. This year marks the tenth anniversary of the banquet in which TCOG makes a deliberate effort to express its gratitude and appreciation for 9-1-1 telecommunicators by highlighting the important role they play in public safety services.

Dr. Joe Serio, Guest Speaker

“Telecommunicators are a particularly critical link between those in need of emergency services and those that provide emergency assistance,” stated Bridges. “They are often the first point of contact in moments of crisis.

“The Texoma region is fortunate to have such devoted and dedicated telecommunicators who truly are first responders.”

In 2019, Governor Greg Abbott signed a new law classifying 9-1-1 dispatchers and other public safety telecommunications professionals as first responders. This law went into effect on September 1. Prior to this legislation, 9-1-1 telecommunicators were classified as secretaries. The law provides an opportunity to give dispatchers recognition alongside public safety services as well as providing them with access to benefits to help support their mental health.

The awards and recipients are as follow:

In addition to the awards ceremony, the event featured keynote speaker, Dr. Joe Serio. Serio holds a PhD in Criminal Justice with a specialization in Leadership and Organizational Behavior from Sam Houston State University. He is a popular and entertaining speaker who motivates and inspires his audiences while providing thought-provoking information.

The Texoma Council of Governments is a voluntary association of the local governments in Cooke, Fannin, and Grayson counties. Established in 1968, Texoma Council of Governments promotes economy and efficiency in the coordinated planning and development of the tri-county region through its community and economic development activities. Both directly and through contractors, the Council provides housing, utility assistance, and weatherization services for low-income citizens in the region and assists the elderly through a variety of Area Agency on Aging programs. The Council also facilitates the delivery of grant funding for homeland security and criminal justice.

Four women who work in Cooke County were recently recognized for their emergency response efforts.

Communications Supervisor Belva McClinton and Communications Operator Janet Simpson, with the Gainesville Police Department, and Cooke County telecommunicators Hannah McKinney and Crista Rosado were award recipients during the annual Texoma Regional 9-1-1 Telecommunicators Banquet in Sherman on Thursday, Feb. 28.

McClinton and Simpson were present at the banquet hosted by the Texoma Council of Governments. Cooke County Dispatch Supervisor Linda Jones picked up certificates on behalf of McKinney and Rosado.

Sean Norton, a TCOG spokesman, said nomination categories were for Telecommunicator of the Year, Supervisor of the Year, Life-Saving Award, Team Award of Merit and the Silent Hero Award.

He said nominees must meet the criteria listed for each category. Nominations are submitted by telecommunicator supervisors and telecommunicator colleagues to TCOG Public Safety Specialist Beth Eggar.

Norton said via email that Eggar vets the nominations to ensure the initial criteria are met before sending them to a panel of three external judges who have a law enforcement, military or telecommunicator background.

Cooke County Sheriff’s Office

McKinney received her award from Jones on Friday, March 8.

Cooke County Dispatch Supervisor Linda Jones presents an award to dispatcher Hannah McKinney, right. Megan Gray-Hatfield/GDR

While receiving the Silent Hero Award, McKinney said she knew she won something but had no idea about the specifics until that day.

Sheriff Terry Gilbert said McKinney received her award because of a call last year regarding the death of a Callisburg 13-year-old. Gilbert said a sibling found the boy’s body and McKinney stayed with the sibling on the phone until help could arrive.

“That’s one of the toughest calls, as you can imagine, that a dispatcher could ever take,” Jones said.

McKinney, who has been employed with the CCSO since November 2016, said the award was “quite an accomplishment.”

“Very proud,” McKinney said of the first award she has received.

She said she there wasn’t anything in particular about that specific call she did to stay calm.

“Those are the calls that we train for,” McKinney said.

Rosado, who has been a county employee since December 2008, was presented with the Life-Saving Award on Saturday, March 9.

Gilbert said Rosado did not want to be interviewed or photographed but is “grateful.”

Her award stemmed from a call on Dec. 1, 2018. Gilbert said Rosado stayed on the phone with an out-of-town truck driver who was having a “mental breakdown” while he was traveling down I-35.

The 40-year-old man was reportedly driving aggressively southbound on the interstate, and when law enforcement officials got him to pull over in Valley View, he barricaded himself in the truck.

He was talked out of the truck and admitted to an area hospital for evaluation, Gilbert said.

“She stayed on the phone the whole time and got him the help that he needed,” Gilbert said.

Jones said both women give “110 percent” in everything that they do.

Gainesville Police Department

McClinton took home the Supervisor of the Year Award.

Belva McClinton of the Gainesville Police Department holds her award

“We had a three-way tie for Supervisor of the Year this year so an additional judge was brought in to break the tie,” Norton said.

McClinton will celebrate 32 years with GPD in June.

“I was very surprised and honored,” McClinton said of receiving the award.

According to an email sent from Chief Kevin Phillips to his department, McClinton was nominated for the award “because she is dependable, compassionate and knowledgeable.”

Phillips said in the email that McClinton is known to resolve conflicts and handle difficult situations with remarkable patience, and even though she isn’t assigned to a communications operator position, she has stepped up on numerous occasions to fill in during personnel shortages no matter the time of day.

Simpson received the Silent Hero Award.

Norton said all telecommunicators who were nominated for the Silent Hero and Life-Saving award categories received a certificate and recognition.

“It was a complete surprise to receive the Silent Hero Award and an honor,” said Simpson, who has worked with GPD for more than six years.

Simpson was nominated because she “always displays a positive attitude and demonstrates exemplary teamwork by filling in during personnel shortages when needed and also requesting additional assignments that can be completed during the night shifts,” an email from Phillips said.

He said her level of dedication epitomizes the mission of the city of Gainesville and the GPD.

Phillips said communications operators are an important component of the public safety system and provide “the critical link” between the public and first responders.

“Our communications operators provided these services around the clock without fail to ensure that calls for assistance are answered,” Phillips said. “While we appreciate the efforts of all of our communications personnel, we are proud that Belva McClinton and Janet Simpson have been recognized for their service and contributions to our community.”

Source: https://www.gainesvilleregister.com/news/local_news/answering-the-call-cooke-co-gainesville-emergency-comms-staff-receive/article_604be6b8-46ab-11e9-9f6c-1f41737f7797.html

SHERMAN, March 54, 2019 – Eric Bridges, Executive Director of Texoma Council of Governments (TCOG), announced today that TCOG’s 9-1-1 Program hosted the annual Texoma Regional 9-1-1 Telecommunicators Banquet this past Thursday on February 28. Each year awards are given to telecommunicators throughout our region for the important role they play in public safety.

Trenell Walker

Guest Speaker

“Telecommunicators are the critical link between those in need of emergency services and those that provide emergency assistance,” stated Bridges. “The Texoma region is fortunate to have such devoted and dedicated telecommunicators.”

The awards and recipients are as follow:

The Texoma Council of Governments is a voluntary association of the local governments in Cooke, Fannin, and Grayson Counties. Established in 1968, the Texoma Council of Governments promotes economy and efficiency in the coordinated planning and development of the tri-county region through its community and economic development activities. Either directly, or through contractors, the Council provides housing, utility assistance, and weatherization services for low-income citizens in the region and assists the elderly through a variety of Area Agency on Aging programs. The Council also facilitates the delivery of grant funding for homeland security and criminal justice.

SHERMAN, February 10, 2017 –The TCOG 9-1-1 Program hosted the annual Texoma Regional 9-1-1 Telecommunicators Awards Banquet on Thursday, February 9, 2017. Each year awards are given to Telecommunicators in our region for the important role they play in public safety.

Tina Chaffin

Guest Speaker

“It is important that we recognize our Telecommunicators for their professionalism and dedication where public safety is concerned”, said Dr. Susan B. Thomas, Executive Director of Texoma Council of Governments (TCOG). “When citizens call 9-1-1 these Telecommunicators work hard to make certain that help arrives as quickly as possible.”

The awards and recipients are as follow:

The Texoma Council of Governments is a voluntary association of the local governments in Cooke, Fannin, and Grayson Counties. Established in 1968, the Texoma Council of Governments promotes economy and efficiency in the coordinated planning and development of the tri-county region through its community and economic development activities. Either directly, or through contractors, the Council provides housing, utility assistance, and weatherization services for low-income citizens in the region and assists the elderly through a variety of Area Agency on Aging programs. The Council also facilitates the delivery of grant funding for homeland security and criminal justice.

SHERMAN, JANUARY 20, 2016- Dr. Susan Thomas, Executive Director of Texoma Council of Governments announced that TCOG hosted an awards banquet for 9-1-1 Telecommunicators in the Texoma Region on Saturday evening, January 16, 2017 at Grayson Hall in Sherman, Texas. The banquet was held to honor Telecommunicators for their commitment and service to our community.

“9-1-1 Dispatchers play a vital part where public safety is concerned.” said Dr. Thomas. “They are the ones that gather crucial information from the caller and with that information send the appropriate emergency responders.”

Craig Northcutt and James Dry from Post Up were guest speakers at the banquet. Post Up is a non-profit organization that promotes hunting safety and the use of helmets while riding ATVs.
The following awards were given at the banquet:

• Dispatcher of the Year
  Megan Robinson of the Bonham Police Department
• Supervisor of the Year
  Lisa Whitten of the Whitesboro Police Department
• Team Award of Merit
  Channa Campbell, Shanna Kenney, and Lyra Webb of the Denison Police Department
• Life Saver Award
  Stacey Bee of the Fannin County Sheriff’s; Joyce Sturgess of the Denison Police Department; and Crista Rosado of the Cooke County Sheriff’s Office
• Silent Hero
  Lori Dilday of the Cooke County Sheriff’s Office, April Culley of the Van Alstyne Police Department; Dean Paddock and Joyce Sturgess of the Denison Police Department; and Deisiree Harston of the Sherman Police Department.

The Texoma Council of Governments is a voluntary association of the local governments in Cooke, Fannin, and Grayson Counties. Established in 1968, the Texoma Council of Governments promotes economy and efficiency in the coordinated planning and development of the tri-county region through its community and economic development activities. Either directly, or through contractors, the Council provides housing, utility assistance, and weatherization services for low-income citizens in the region and assists the elderly through a variety of Area Agency on Aging programs. The Council also facilitates the delivery of grant funding for homeland security and criminal justice.

GRAYSON COUNTY, TX — Dispatchers are the unsung heroes of the law enforcement community. Answering phones, coordinating officers, usually when seconds count. Thursday night their efforts were honored in a special ceremony.

The importance of working as a dispatcher often goes unrecognized, and requires a passion for the business.

“It’s something that is in your heart,” said Joahanna Shelton a telecommunicator for the Sherman Police Department.

The Texoma Council of Governments hosted the Regional 9-1-1 Telecommunicator Awards Banquet Thursday night in Grayson county. The event celebrated and recognized local dispatchers.

“When you dial 9-1-1, these are the folks that are on the other end waiting to assist you when you call and you have an emergency,” said CJ Durbin-Higgins, the Public Safety Program Manager for TCOG.

Thursday night was all about making sure these telecommunicators, whether dispatchers or supervisors, know that they are appreciated by all.

“We want to show the dispatchers our appreciation, the telecommunicators in our region that we really care about they job that they do everyday,” stated Durbin-Higgins.

Not only are telecommunicators recognized at this banquet, but there were also awards handed out. These awards including a Silent Hero award, Lifesaving awards, Team wards, and Telecommunicator of the Year. Supervisors were also recognized at the event.

This year, was a bitter-sweet year for the Sherman Police Department. Their dispatch supervisor passed away in late October.

“it’s one of those we wish she could be here…very much so…cause this is something that she looked forward to as well.” stated Shelton.

She was chosen as Supervisor of the Year. TCOG presented her with her award before she passed. Her family was present Thursday night to accept it on her behalf.

Being a dispatcher is not an easy job, but anyone who’s ever been in an emergency knows that someone has to do it.

“They are very dedicated to the job that they do,” said Durbin-Higgins.

Although all dispatchers are recognized and thanked, there are a few that received awards as follows:

• Telecommunicator of the Year:
  Amanda Mulkey – Sherman PD
• Supervisor of the Year:
  Cindy Carr – Sherman PD
• Team Award of Merit:
  Elisha Magar & Rachael Terrazas – Whitesboro PD
• Lifesaving Award:
  Lisa Owens – Sherman PD
• Lifesaving Award:
  Linda Jones – Cooke County Sheriff’s Office
• Lifesaving Award:
  Kayla Winkler – Van Alstyne PD
• Silent Heroes:
  16 people total (these awards are for people that do not normally like to be recognized).

Source: http://www.kten.com/story/27322103/texoma-dispatchers-honored

Additional Coverage on this event:

KXII – Community honors regional 9-1-1 dispatchers

Herald Democrat – 911 dispatchers honored, remembered at awards banquet

For Immediate Release

SHERMAN, May 25, 2012 – Dr. Susan Thomas, Executive Director of Texoma Council of Governments (TCOG), announced that TCOG has hosted the 2012 Texoma Regional 9-1-1 Telecommunicator Awards Banquet to recognize 9-1-1 call takers and their exemplary skills in handling emergency communications. The banquet was held at the First United Methodist Church in Sherman on Thursday, May 24, 2012, 6:00 pm.

No matter the emergency, 9-1-1 call takers are dedicated to making sure help is always there when it is needed. These men and women help save lives and foster the public’s confidence in local emergency response. “This is our fourth year to honor area dispatchers for their often unnoticed hard work and dedication to public safety,” said Dr. Thomas. “365 days of the year, 24 hours a day, telecommunicators are there for you when you dial 9-1-1 and we think that deserves recognition.”

2012 Award Winners

Telecommunicator of the Year
Cyndi Ritchie, Cooke County Sheriff’s Office for her handling of a hit and run accident.

Team Award of Merit
Shelli Bengfort & Denise Jones, Cooke County Sheriff’s Office for their team work to help an abused female and her kidnapped son.

Supervisor of the Year
Megan Robinson, Bonham Police Department

Life Saving Award
Shanna Derheim, Cooke County Sheriff’s Office

Life Saving Award
Lisa Brummett, Grayson County Sheriff’s Office, for her handling of a call involving a sinking boat with 2 adults and a child on Lake Texoma.

Life Saving Award
Greg Brummett, Sherman Police Department for his handling of a suicidal caller.

Silent Hero Awards are presented to one individual from each agency in recognition of their exceptional professionalism in the field of emergency communications. The award also acknowledges the special contributions of Telecommunicators whose daily performance is an inspiration and example to others.
The 2012 recipients are:
Quentin Barnes- Bonham Police Department
Crista Rosado- Cooke County Sheriff’s Office
Linda Boyle- Denison Police Department
Chad McKee- Denison Fire Department
Lisa Avelar- Fannin County Sheriff’s Office
Jami Brown- Grayson County Sheriff’s Office
Andrea Grimes- Sherman Police Department
Renee Winkler- Van Alstyne Police Department

The Texoma Council of Governments is a voluntary association of the local governments in Cooke, Fannin, and Grayson Counties. Established in 1968, the Texoma Council of Governments promotes economy and efficiency in the coordinated planning and development of the tri-county region through its community and economic development activities. Either directly, or through contractors, the Council provides housing, utility assistance, and weatherization services for low-income citizens in the region and assists the elderly through a variety of Area Agency on Aging programs. The Council also facilitates the delivery of grant funding for homeland security and criminal justice.