When emergencies strike in Edmond, the 911 team is primed to quickly jump into action. A recent report shines a light on the team's crucial role in public safety, often being the first to calmly guide a situation towards resolution before the arrival of police or fire services. "We are usually the first point of contact in emergency situations – 911," Jamy Inglett, Training & Compliance Supervisor for the City of Edmond’s Emergency Communications team, told the City of Edmond's official website. The Edmond Emergency Communications operates 24/7, leveraging advanced technology to manage the city's public safety needs.
The team comprises 19 dedicated dispatchers, handling a steady stream of calls that can oscillate between mundane complaints and life-threatening emergencies. "You can go from taking a very high-intensity call – someone telling you their baby isn’t breathing – and then get someone complaining about their neighbor’s dog barking," Inglett explained on the City of Edmond website. Every dispatcher undergoes a rigorous training of approximately 6-to-8 months, closely overseen by experienced officers to ensure the mastery of essential procedures and protocols.
Elizabeth Sullivan, an Emergency Dispatcher II with over a decade of experience, emphasized the necessity for patience in their role, saying in an interview, "You have to do your best to handle everything with kindness and remember they are not calling us on their best day." She also discussed how multitasking and teamwork are crucial to providing the efficient assistance needed during distress calls. The team not only serves Edmond city limits but also supports several adjoining communities, including Lake Hiwassee, Arcadia, Oak Cliff, and Deer Creek fire response districts, according to the statement obtained by the Edmond City website.
In addition to daily dispatch responsibilities, the team actively contributes to Project KEEP, a program designed to support residents with special needs in emergencies. This initiative provides first responders with immediate access to critical, personalized information, thereby enhancing overall response effectiveness. Sullivan has been instrumental in revamping Project KEEP to further its efficiency and while it started with fewer, as of 2023, the program had grown to involve 29 participants.
The integrity, professionalism, and teamwork prized by the team were notably demonstrated during the wildfires in March, as described by Inglett. "It might be the biggest display of teamwork I’ve ever seen in dispatch," she recalled as per the City of Edmond website, highlighting the coordination between numerous departments and jurisdictions during a period of heightened stress and urgency.
