The Van Buren County Sheriff’s Department has recognized two 911 dispatchers for their lifesaving efforts.
Dispatcher Alison Dean and Brooke Smith were awarded for their hard work while handling calls last week.
Van Buren County Sheriff Dan Abbott tells us Dean was recognized with a Commendation and Life Saving award for obtaining detailed information about a house fire from a caller. Because of the act, Sgt. Paul Graham was able to enter the home and rescue the caller.
Smith was recognized for two different incidents in which one she helped a woman in labor. The Stork Award was given to Smith after she used emergency medical protocols to help deliver the baby just two minutes after the initial call was answered. Smith also received the Life Saving Award for her quick action to save the life of another dispatcher who experienced a medical emergency while on duty.
Sheriff Abbot says county residents should be thankful for their hardworking dispatchers.
“We’ve got a heck of a dispatch center here,” Abbott said. “I couldn’t be more proud of the dispatchers we have. Brooke did a great job. Allison did a great job. If they weren’t involved, the outcomes on those could have been a lot different.”
Abbott says the Van Buren County Sheriff’s Department believes it’s important to recognize dispatchers when they go above and beyond the call of duty.
