911 dispatchers recognized

Everywhere in Jasper County the number to call in an emergency is 911, but exactly who is it that answers that line?

"Telecommunicators are the first person that most people talk to when their loved ones have died, when they have been a victim of an assault, their child has run away, their car has been stolen, they have come home and found their residence has been broken into, their house is on fire, or they have been involved in a wreck," according to Alice Rector- Duckworth, communications supervisor at the sheriff's office.

It's situations that "can pose a lot of stress," according to Duckworth. In recognition that dispatchers work long hours in difficult situations, sometimes without even getting a break, April 9- 13 has been declared Te l e c o m m u n i c a t o r Appreciation Week.

The Jasper sheriff's employees who have earned this appreciation are Martha Myers Partin, eight years of service; Laura Iorg, one and a half years; Brooke Bradshaw, two years; Tammie Bartlett, one year; Andrea Payton Riff, four years; Alice Rector- Duckworth; 10 and a half years.

Jasper County Judge Mark Allen said, "The majority of the citizen population does not realize the long hours involved in dispatch work, nor the highstress conditions that arise with little to no warning.

"Furthermore, most do not realize that (dispatchers) are the literal lifeline for law enforcement officers serving in the community, and in many cases, the only voice an officer can hear or communicate with during a dangerous situation."

Duckworth says her dispatchers answer all 911 calls in Jasper County, and then they either take all the information and dispatch the proper response team or they transfer calls to the proper authorities.

They dispatch sheriff's deputies, Texas Highway Patrol, Kirbyville police and fire departments, Texas Parks and Wildlife, county constables, and the Jasper County Emergency Corps and several fire departments.

In their spare time, they enter all missing and wanted persons into the state computer system, as well as stolen vehicles, guns and any other stolen items, and answer non-emergency calls placed to the Jasper County sheriff's office.

Allen said, "Dispatchers perform a myriad of functions, ranging from calming terrified victims of violence to consoling a family member who is reporting the death of a loved one. Dispatchers receive little compensation, nor gratitude, for the immense job that they handle during their long shifts."