Below are some stories of different dispatch scenarios that have been handled by a Columbia 9-1-1 staff. These stories were sent in by Columbia 9-1-1 Safety Partners involved with the situation. Please take a few minutes to look through these stories, you are sure to learn a little about the quality service provided by Columbia 9-1-1.
October 13, 2003
Dear Sally,
I would like to commend two of your personnel for the outstanding job that they did during the early morning hours of October 13th. Steve Watson and Trish Hilsinger were on duty when we had an apartment house fire. As the fire went to two alarms, the situation became more and more intense. Both Steve and Trish were right there on the radio when we needed them. They kept calm, met our requests in a very timely manner, and were very aware of the situation at hand.
I would like to thank Steve and Trish for a job well done. Their professional response and radio procedure was appreciated by all on the scene. They are a credit to you and your organization.
Sincerely,
William R. Goodwin
Division Chief
Columbia River Fire & Rescue
February 26, 2004
I am writing all of you this letter to officially thank you and commend you for the hard work you and your staff has done in the last few days during the critical incidents. The teamwork and effort that was placed into this operation by all involved was unbelievable.
The Clatskanie Police Department has received so many phone calls and personal contacts from our citizens thinking all of us for the quick response in attempting to protect the community.
As you know, the Clatskanie Police Department is a very small agency and without your assistance, our officers would have been in much more danger of injury or death.
Please let all of your officers know that their professionalism and assistance will not be forgotten.
Sincerely,
Marvin D. Hoover
Chief of Police
City of Clatskanie
"Just Doing Their Jobs"
They (Debbie Gurlen and Sue Reedy) were "just doing their jobs" on a gray September day in 1997. The alarm tone-out was the first indication of what was to come, "semi vs. automobiles, with possibly eight patients." Two ambulances were already out-of-district on previous medical calls, leaving only one ambulance available to respond. When we arrived at Highway 30 and Bennett Road in Warren, there were trucks, cars, racecars on trailers, and debris spread out over 200 or 300 yards of Highway 30.
Life flight was requested, additional law enforcement requested, more ambulances requested, additional personnel requested, and the just did their jobs.
We could not do anything for the two people who lost their lives that day, but everything that needed to be done for those that survived, was done. The calm professional responses to these requests, the foresight to make the incident commander aware of another available ambulance, all speak to the terrific job these two professionals did under very difficult circumstances. We were all able to do well that day thanks to Sue and Debbie: they just did their jobs.
Debbie Gurlen and Sue Reedy, thank you very much.
St. Helens Rural Fire District
September 14, 1993
To: All county Communications Personnel
Because of time, too often important things are left unsaid. It is very important to me that this doesn't happen as I close a chapter of life that has been very good to me.
As you know, I retire very shortly. I cannot close this chapter of my life without thanking all of you for what you've done for me and those who have worked for me.
You and I have heard the expression, "The thin blue line", the line of men and women who serve our citizens through thick and thin. It is indeed a "thin Blue Line".
We who stand in that "thin Blue line" know that without the dedicated support we have from those confined to windowless room, miles removed from unfolding, dramatic and sometimes traumatic situations. That the "thin blue line" would collapse and crumble except for those very special people who reach out and touch us. Those voices that remind us above all that we are not alone.
After all these years I still can not in words explain how important your function is. I don't have to - you all know!
In closing I'd like to thank you for your care and concern as I read your voices too! I would also like to thank you for all those "status" checks and if you ever hear a tone of irritation in response to you request for "status checks", please disregard and remember - the most wonderful feeling in the world is knowing that someone out there really cares. We know you do!
My very best regards,
David J Nelson
Chief of Police
Clatskanie Police Department
11 April 2001
To Sally Jones, Director:
Recently a young man committed suicide with a shotgun. He committed this act in the presence of his four year old son. Needless to say it was not a pretty scene. The dispatcher, Terri Baublit, did a great job. Calm, cool and collected-professional. I have every reason to believe that she was affected as were those of us serving with the Fire Department.
However, Terri went way above the call of duty by leading a Critical Incident Stress debriefing/defusing for field personnel later that same day. She was appreciated greatly and conducted herself very well. It was only later when some one asked who dispatched that we discovered Terri had dispatched.
We want you and she to know that she has our vote of confidence. We think she did a fantastic job.
Gratefully yours,
Jack Mount, Chaplain
September 14, 2001
Sally Jones, Administrator
Columbia 911 Communications District
Dear Sally,
The events occurring this week on our eastern seaboard have left us shaken. We are not yet able to understanding the full impact of this planned attack on our nation. We feel, collectively and personally, violated. Our hearts go out to those who were lost or injured, to their families and loved ones, and to all of those serving to locate those still missing.
Watching the recovery efforts over the past couple of days it was clear that order was being restored and that chaos was receding. Certainly a command presence was at work. But the best commander and the most competent crews cannot work with out effective, secure communications. Can you imagine the fight that ensued during and after this event to maintain effective communications in that region? Truly heroic.
I would like to take the opportunity, right now, to acknowledge the role of the telecommunicator. Quietly, without fanfare, usually without recognition, directly and indirectly you are saving lives daily. "9-1-1 What is your emergency?" That information is there in the back of every person's mind. You help them feel secure. You're who they turn to first when trouble is at the door. You're our heroes.
As a Firefighter, as a husband and father, as a citizen of the United States of America. Thanks for being there!
Sincerely,
Chief Dave Crawford
Mist-Birkenfeld Rural Fire Protection District
December 15, 2001
Sally Jones
Columbia 911 Communications District
Dear Sally,
I am writing to you to commend three of your dispatchers for a job well done. This evening a 8:22pm, we were dispatched to a vehicle over the embankment of Fern Hill Road. However, we did not know where the accident was located on Fern Hill Road.
Quick thinking by three of your dispatchers resulted in a very positive ending to what could have been a tragedy. Supervisor Teri Baublit, and dispatchers Debbie Gurlen and Diana Karthauser were able to call the victim back on her cell phone. Working with the victim by listening for our sirens, the dispatchers were able to guide us to the correct location.
Once on scene, we found the victim and her vehicle about 100 yards over the embankment. The wreckage was not visible from Fern Hill Road. Once on scene, the dispatchers continued to perform at peak level, dispatching resources such as the S.M.A.R.T. team, Life flight, and additional units.
In closing Sally, I would like to extend a hearty thanks to you and your team for a job well done. Their quick thinking helped to avoid what could have been a tragic ending to this incident.
Respectfully,
William R. (Bill) Goodwin
Division Chief
Rainier Fire District
Rainier, Or 97048