By MIKE COURSON
Great Bend Post
With fires, police chases, and other unfortunate events, Barton County 911 dispatchers have been extra busy in recent weeks. That made Tuesday’s proclamation during the Barton County Commission meeting all the more special. Communications Director Dena Popp presented the proclamation for National Public Safety Telecommunicator Week, which is celebrated the second week of April every year.
“It’s not just any job,” Popp told commissioners. “It’s a very stressful job at times. It’s very mentally exhausting at times. Most recently, given the last month of more serious events, has been somewhat traumatic for my staff.”
Barton County dispatchers handle multiple phone lines as the first point of contact in an emergency, then relay that information to seven law enforcement agencies, seven fire departments, and four EMS agencies.
“In our dispatch center, we have four consoles with an average of six computer monitors, three mice, and three keyboards, so a lot of screens and a lot of technical skill is also required,” said Popp. “In Barton County this week, I’m very appreciative for the staff I have, for their dedication, the long hours, the overtime, and the time away from their families to help provide emergency responses to citizens of Barton County.”
"Saying 'thank you' doesn’t seem enough," said Commissioner Donna Zimmerman. "I very much appreciate your department and everything you do." The sentiment was echoed by other commissioners.
Barton County Communications is currently down three dispatchers heading into the busy weather season. Visit Bartoncounty.org for more information on job openings.