MOUNT VERNON — More than three decades after joining the Knox County 911 dispatch center, Donna Durbin will retire on Aug. 31, 2024.
Durbin began her career as a 911 dispatcher in September 1993 and has served multiple years as a dispatch trainer.
Her colleagues named her the 2018 Dispatcher of the Year because of her knowledge, exemplary work ethic, and willingness to help her coworkers.
The county commissioners presented a proclamation to Durbin on Thursday acknowledging her accomplishments.
“Donna has lived the county’s mission by dedicating her life’s work to making significant contributions to the overall effectiveness of emergency response efforts in Knox County,” the proclamation reads in part.
“The Board of Knox County Commissioners expresses its heartfelt gratitude in recognition of Donna Durbin’s selfless dedication and contributions to the Knox County 911 Dispatch Center, Knox County community, and employees of Knox County Ohio.”
“We appreciate the long service of county employees,” Commissioner Teresa Bemiller told Durbin. “We know this is a milestone for you, and I am sure you will be missed in the dispatch center.”
The early years in the 911 dispatch center
Durbin saw many changes during her tenure at the 911 dispatch center.
“We started in the old jail, which is now a parking lot. There was only room for two people, and we had a typewriter. There were no computers,” she said.
“We had to type the log, and when you got behind, at the end of our shift we’d have to take our papers and go over to the other room and finish typing our log.”
Other hallmarks of those early years include a dot matrix printer, wall maps, and entering the deputies’ reports for them.
In 2014, Durbin participated in consolidating 911 services between the City of Mount Vernon and Knox County.
Durbin recalls pulling into the lot for her first day at the center.
“I was sitting there in my car. I didn’t want to come in until 4 o’clock because that’s when I was supposed to be there,” she explained. “Detective Bob Durbin knocked on my window and said, ‘You can come in.’
“I said, ‘I’m not supposed to be there until 4 o’clock.’ He said, ‘No, it’s okay. You can come in.’”
Durbin recalls a colleague’s retirement two years ago.
“I thought, ‘I have two years. My gosh, that’s like forever.’ And now it’s here,” she said. “I can’t believe how quick it’s gone.”
Durbin’s retirement plans include spending time with her grandson and getting things done around the house.
