Lynn Wright, ENP
Operations Manager
CALHOUN COUNTY 9-1-1 District

Lynn has been with Calhoun County 9-1-1 for 17 years, beginning her career as a Telecommunicator I; Working her way through the ranks and became Operations Manager in 1996. Lynn is responsible for ensuring all operations of the agency are carried out according to the objectives. She maintains an excellent good working relationship throughout the county with all other Public Safety Agencies.

 Personal note: “When I began my career in 1989, it got in my blood. I can’t imagine myself doing anything else. How many people go to work and experience something new and unique each day? I am grateful for the opportunity to work in an environment that can make a positive impact on someone’s life. I am very passionate about the operations and personnel of this agency. The dedicated, professional, knowledgeable, and well-trained employees are the backbone of this agency.”

 COMMUNICATION CENTER:

 The Calhoun County 9-1-1 District recently redesigned the Communication Center to make it a more efficient work area. We replaced stationary consoles with Wright-Line ergonomic furniture with lifts and personal environmental controls. We utilize the Positron Switch to process emergency calls and the Positron MIS system to generate reports.

 Calhoun County 9-1-1 District is the single PSAP for Calhoun County. We answer and process all 9-1-1 calls within Calhoun County. The District transfers emergency calls, voice and data, to the appropriate law enforcement, fire and EMS agencies. Calhoun County 9-1-1 provides dispatch for 10 Rural Fire Departments and 5 First Responder groups, utilizing both the UHF and 800 MHz Radio Systems. All dispatch personnel are APCO and Medical Priority EMD certified. The Calhoun County 9-1-1 District is responsible for providing EMD on all medical calls received through the 9-1-1 System.

 Calhoun County 9-1-1 has 16 full-time dispatchers that work, 4 day 10 hour shifts, with every-other Friday, Saturday and Sunday off. Dispatchers rotate shifts every 8 weeks, thus keeping their skills and knowledge sharp to the changing situations that arise at any point in time. (The only complaint from personnel, regarding the 10- hour shifts, is the lack of overtime.) Working 10-hour shifts has greatly improved morale. Because the shifts overlap, the employees don’t just see each other at shift change, they work together for several hours, thus making them feel more of a team.

 One of the most essential tools required to operate a successful communication center is an up-to-date Standard Operating Procedure Manual. The Supervisors and front line dispatchers consistently review and submit updates and/or corrections, to ensure they have the most current and informative SOP to assist them in performing their job.

As stated in the personal comments from Operations Manager Lynn Wright, the Supervisors and front line Dispatchers are the backbone of the agency. Because of their knowledge, skills, abilities, and “commitment to excellence”, the Calhoun County 9-1-1 Communication Center continues, on a daily basis, to provide effective and efficient emergency communications, to the citizens of Calhoun County.