When the responder on the other line is the sole intermediary between life and death or the go-to agent for some other non-medical emergency, it’s good to know that the 14 friendly voices at the McDowell 911 Center are there for you when you need them the most.
Since opening in 1991, the center has received tens of thousands of calls. A few calls have been embarrassingly humorous, like the ones they receive about foreign items being stuck to unmentionable appendages. Some have been non-life threatening, but all calls are from those in some type of distress.
“You just never know what the next call will be,” say 911 Deputy Director Teresa VanDyke. “It can be anything from ‘My cat is stuck up a tree’; ‘My baby is not breathing’; or ‘My grandparent is dead.’ Some of the calls are transferred to the Emergency Medical Dispatcher who’ll instruct the caller what to do until help arrives.”
Understandably, Van Dyke has only positive things to say about the telecommunicators at the Welch center.
“I am very proud of the employees of the McDowell 911 Center, who are dedicated and well-trained to serve the needs of the citizens of our county. There are many years of experience behind the telephones and radios at the 911 Center. Our dispatchers are truly the first First Responders in an emergency.”
In providing documentation of their busy days, VanDyke notes that in 2008 alone, the 911 Center answered 9865 emergency calls and 20,888 911 calls. More concisely put, Van Dyke could just as easily say that there’s a whole lot of talking going on at the 911 center with each conversation representing a person with a problem that requires immediate resolution.
Instead, she smiles demurely and presents the proclamation that declares this week “National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week.” The proclamation says it all.
It reads: “Whereas, emergencies can occur at any time, requiring police, fire or emergency medical services; and
“Whereas, when an emergency occurs the prompt response of law enforcement, firefighters and Paramedics/EMTs is critical to the protection of life and preservation of property; and

“Whereas, the safety of our police, fire and EMS personnel is dependent upon the quality and accuracy of information obtained from citizens who telephone the McDowell County 911 Center; and
“Whereas, public safety dispatchers are the first and most critical contact our citizens have with emergency services; and
“Whereas, public safety dispatchers are the single vital link for our law enforcement, fire and emergency medical services personnel by monitoring their activities by radio, providing them information and ensuring their safety; and
“Whereas, public safety dispatchers of the McDowell 911 Communications Center have contributed substantially to the apprehension of criminals, suppression of fire and treatment of patients; and
“Whereas, each dispatcher has exhibited compassion, understanding and professionalism during the performance of their job in the past year;
“Now, therefore, be it resolved that April 12 - 18 is hereby proclaimed as “National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week” and honors the men and women whose diligence and professionalism keep our citizens safe.”

ALL ABOUT THE 911 CENTER - George Waldron, 911 Deputy Director Teresa VanDyke, Trooper Tupper, Commissioner Ray Bailey, Commissioner Judy Cortellesi, Dr. Carr, County Administrator Jennifer Wimmer and County Commission President Gordon Lambert are pictured discussing the McDowell 911 Center during a recent fact-finding meeting. (Photo by Cathy Patton)