County dispatchers recognized during First Responders Day
CENTREVILLE – A Kalamazoo County branch of Mercury Broadband played a thoughtful role in helping St. Joseph County Central Dispatch observe First Responders Day.
The national acknowledgment was Saturday, but a four-person team from Mercury’s Schoolcraft location showed up during shift change Friday afternoon to express its gratitude.
Mishel Northrop, sales and marketing manager for the Kalamazoo market, said St. Joseph County is a newer and wide-open market for Mercury. As a result, honoring staff at the Centreville-based agency was a no-brainer, she said.
“Typically, ambulance, police and fire personnel come to mind when you think of first responders, but our brand ambassador, Maggie Swinehart, mentioned how the people at central dispatch really are the first responders … they’re the ones who start the whole process and are the bridge between the caller and whatever assistance they need,” Northrop said. “I’m kind of ashamed we haven’t really thought about it from the get-go because I’ve been on the receiving end where I had to call 911 and thank goodness it was someone on the line who talked me off a ledge.”
Northrop said she is impressed by how well central dispatch personnel maintain their composure and professionalism in the face of what is typically someone in the midst of a perilous situation.
“They still have to finish their shift after something horrific happens and we just don’t think about it,” she said.
Northrop and her team purchased a Stanley brand, 40-ounce metal tumbler for every Central Dispatch employee – 19 in all. In addition, they gifted the agency an Ecozy ice maker, a need shared with Northrop by Central Dispatch Director Stacey Bower.
In addition, she presented a plaque that reads: “In appreciation for First Responders Day. St. Joe County Central Dispatch. ‘They don’t seek recognition, but their actions deserve the highest honor.’”
Northrop said she went over her $1,200 budget but said there’s no question the gifts and acknowledgment are worth every penny.
“I was real excited to do this for them because once I recognized how overlooked this department is, it just took me aback,” she said. “This was a good opportunity for us to give back to the community and I’m so grateful to be a part of the team here today to honor these unsung heroes.”
Joining Northrop and Swinehart were field sales and marketing associate Zach Baumann and brand ambassador Michael Heredia.
Bower said the acknowledgment means a lot and she noted St. Joseph County is fortunate to have such a strong team of dispatchers.
Undersheriff Jason Bingaman, who sat in on the presentation and brief speech by Northrop, said Central Dispatch plays a critical role in the county and, echoing Bower, its staff epitomizes professionalism.
Bower said 15 states recognize central dispatch employees as actual first responders. Michigan is not one of those 15 states, she said.
This article originally appeared on Sturgis Journal: County dispatchers recognized during First Responders Day
