MOUNT VERNON — In 2023, 87,990 people called Knox County’s 911 operations center. Of those calls, 42,518 resulted in the operator dispatching law enforcement or fire/EMS.
In each case, a calm voice guided the caller, asking questions and providing reassurance.
The Knox County commissioners proclaimed April 14-20 as National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week, paying tribute to the unseen heroes we know only by their voices.
A highlight of the week is naming the Dispatcher of the Year. For 2023, the dispatchers chose Mark Haver.
911 Operations Director Laura Webster said, “Mark is very dependable and a team player. His coworkers comment on how working with him puts them at ease.”
Haver has been with 911 for 17 years.
The commissioners also issued a proclamation honoring Haver as Dispatcher of the Year.
They noted his consistent professionalism, dedication, and skill in his dispatcher role.
“Mark Haver 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 proclamation reads.
“Mark Haver’s outstanding performance, exemplary work ethic, and unwavering commitment to public service have earned him the respect and admiration of colleagues, supervisors, and members of the community alike.”
