911 Dispatchers Honored For Their Work
From Left to Right: Letetia Kelderman-call taker of the year, she took over 15,000 calls. Janel Legvold– life-saving award, for providing life-saving interventions making the difference between life and death. Cheryl Eklofe– life-saving award, for providing life-saving interventions making the difference between life and death. Brandy Greatbatch– Telecommunicator of the year. She was selected by fellow responders in the county for her dedication to the citizens and the responders we serve. Amber Angove– Teamwork Award, selected by her coworkers and fellow responders for going above to professionally provide services.
Oskaloosa, Iowa – The end of the year typically means office parties and recognition for those people who have made a difference.
The Mahaska County 911 Communications team gathered this past week to share a meal and time together while recognizing the efforts made by staff.
Jamey Robinson, EMA/911 Administrator, spoke with Oskaloosa News about the staff of telecommunicators who pick up the phone when you call 911.
Robinson explained that the process of recognizing telecommunicators began last year. “We wanted to recognize our staff for their dedication to the responders and the citizens.”
Telecommunicator of the Year, a ballot is given to responders, specifically law enforcement, because of the constant contact they and the telecommunicators have during the work year.
The ballots are then filled out by law enforcement, and the officer has to explain why a specific telecommunicator deserves to be recognized. “If they don’t explain why the vote doesn’t count,” added Robinson.
Some of those responses to the ballot were two pages in length as to why a telecommunicator should be recognized. “They are very happy with our staff. I think we’re all working together very well and going the right direction,” added Robinson.
Brandy Greatbatch was recognized as Telecommunicator of the Year in 2018.
Greatbatch is a senior dispatcher, and Robinson says, “She’s a good leader for my staff.”
Last year, the Mahaska County 911 Center took approximately 75,000 calls for help, and Letetia Kelderman answered over 15,000 of those calls.
Amber Angove was awarded the Teamwork Award, selected by her coworkers and fellow first responders.
The Mahaska County E911 Center provides emergency medical dispatching, specifically CPR instructions. “When we have positive outcomes, I want to make sure my staff is recognized for that,” said Robinson.”They are one of the key links in the chain of survival.”
Two telecommunicators were awarded Life-Saving Awards. Janel Legvold and Cheryl Eklofe were both awarded the Life-Saving Award for providing life-saving interventions and making the difference between life and death.
In a separate selection process, The Mahaska County CERT [Community Emergency Response Team] selected its member of the year for 2018.
For Robinson, he’s very proud of the selected team member this year. “I’ll be very clear; I had absolutely no say. I don’t vote on this position.
Caleb Robinson, son of Jamey Robinson, was selected by the 29 members of CERT for that distinction.
Caleb has been a member of the CERT Team since he was very young, and began serving his community by handing out water when New Sharon’s water supply was compromised, giving up a week-and-a-half of his time to serve others.
“The kid’s always been there,” says a proud father in Jamey Robinson. “I’m very honored that he was selected. I know that he’s very honored he was selected, and looks forward to continuing his volunteer efforts with the Mahaska County CERT Team.”
Caleb will continue his volunteer efforts with the team, playing a bigger role as a board member. “He’s doing a lot of good stuff for such a young member.”
