MOUNT VERNON—911 dispatchers are vital in delivering critical services to Knox County residents 24/7, 365 days a year.
To honor the “voices behind the headsets,” the Knox County Board of Commissioners declared April 13 to 19 National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week.
A highlight of the week is revealing the Dispatcher of the Year, chosen by the dispatchers.
For 2024, that honor goes to Chase Bell. A Fredericktown native, Bell joined the 911 staff five years ago.
His accolades include receiving the Overtime Award for logging the most overtime and the Attendance Award for missing the least time at work.
Bell’s actions in providing CPR instruction during a call won him a Lifesaver Award. Additionally, he was part of the department’s collective bargaining team.
“Chase, we appreciate all that you do for the county, and so we want to honor you for being a dispatcher,” Commissioner Bill Pursel said before reading a resolution honoring Bell.
“One of the key things it says is ‘Chase Bell has consistently gone above and beyond the call of duty, handling emergency calls with calmness, efficiency, and compassion, and making significant contributions to the overall effectiveness of emergency response efforts in Knox County.”
The resolution also states the commissioners are presenting it to Bell “in recognition of his exemplary service, dedication, and professionalism, and as a token of the deep appreciation of the Knox County community for his outstanding contributions to public safety.”
A lifeline in the storm
In 2024, the Knox County 911 dispatch center logged 80,041 calls. Telecommunicators dispatched fire/EMS or law enforcement on 56% (44,850) of those calls.
“These unsung heroes demonstrate demonstrate exceptional professionalism, resilience, and dedication to duty, often under the most challenging and stressful circumstances.”
Knox County commissioners’ Resolution proclaiming April 13-19 National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week
Calls cover a range of scenarios, from a fall to someone experiencing heart attack symptoms to domestic violence and burglaries.
Whenever the phone rings, Knox County dispatchers are required to calmly and professionally provide a lifeline between residents and the help they need.
National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week is an opportunity to honor and recognize telecommunicators’ invaluable contributions to the community’s safety and well-being.
