During the week of April 10 – 16, 2011, the Department of Emergency Management will be honoring the very dispatchers we work with on a daily basis.
Ten years ago in October of 1991, Congress made a formal proclamation dedicating the second week in April as National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week throughout the United States. The POA has always made an effort to recognize the importance of public safety dispatchers as the first point of contact with the public and officer’s requests and pleas for assistance in times of critical need. I would like to take this opportunity to thank and congratulate every dispatcher current and retired that has ever worked for the San Francisco Police Department and the Department of Emergency Management. There is no greater friend in time of need than a dispatcher on the other end of our police radio who will see to it that we get the help and assistance we need to do our jobs to help others and keep each other and ourselves safe.
Quite often theirs is a thankless and forgotten job but those of us who have ever called for a Code-3 “10-25” or ”904” or, God forbid, a “406” knows just how important the role of a dispatcher is and exactly what I’m talking about.
With this in mind, I’d like to take the time to thank, honor, and mention some of the outstanding dispatchers we have working with us and some of their recognized efforts and awards received.
Dispatchers Dorian Lok and JAMIE DiSangro will be honored at the “ 9-1-1 for Kid’s Heroes Ceremony at City Hall on April 15, 2011. Dorian received a call from an eleven-year old boy who called for an ambulance when his mother was having chest pains and having difficulty breathing. Dorian provided medical instruction, assistance, and most importantly, comfort and reassurance. Jamie received a call from a ten-year old who called for an ambulance when her mother was having serious medical complications. During her contact with young “Zoe,” Jamie provided instruction and guidance to the little hero.
Dispatch Supervisor Heather Grives, (friend of Officer Shawn Jackson of Co .J ) received the Emergency Medical Services Dispatcher of the Year Award for 2010 for her outstanding performance as a dispatcher for her initiative in medical dispatch oversight and for exceptional talent as a lead supervisor in managing critical incidents.
Dispatcher Cathy Chin, (Wife of Inspector Sergio Chin, Co. J) Dispatcher of the Year: On November 11, 2010, Cathy received a call from a distraught male armed with a gun and threatening to commit suicide by jumping off the Bay Bridge. He stopped his vehicle on the Bay Bridge and was accompanied by his 16-year old daughter. He clarified that he was not holding his daughter hostage and had no intention of harming her or anyone else. He later released her unharmed to law enforcement officials. The incident was monitored and televised by cameras located on the bridge. As the incident unfolded, the caller became agitated and began telling Cathy how his life was falling apart. He told of various life-changing events and experiences that had sent him into a tailspin. Cathy was very professional while soliciting information and all the while remaining calm and comforting to the distressed man. Cathy acted as an unofficial negotiator until the first responders arrived at the scene. Cathy played a pivotal role in talking to the man and in part kept him from jumping off the bridge and saving his life. For her outstanding efforts and continued professionalism, her peers selected Cathy Chin as Dispatcher of the Year for 2010.
Stephanie Chacon…On December 6, 2010, an officer reported hearing shots fired. The officer stated he did not have cover. Stephanie immediately broadcasted the information and got emergency assistance to respond. Stephanie took further initiative and broadcast this information to other radio channels and secured more assistance for the officer. A bullet grazed the officer involved during an exchange of gunfire by rival gang members. This was a highly volatile incident and Stephanie did an extraordinary job supporting the officers on the scene and providing all the necessary resources while maintaining full channel control. Great job, Stephanie! Thank you!
Kim Tuyay…On January 4, 2010, a call was received reporting a possible burglary in progress. Kim called a Code-33 from her radio position but an officer near the scene declined the emergency. Shortly thereafter, another officer reported armed suspects were jumping over backyard fences. Kim instituted another Code-33. The incident required a swift and calculated response. There were several armed suspects and police officers running in various directions but Kim maintained radio control at all times. Kim was considered both the pilot and co-pilot of this incident. Kim handled this task quickly, professionally, and with finesse and an overall command performance. Due to her outstanding work, several suspects were taken into custody. The Lieutenant in charge of the scene publicly thanked her for her tremendous effort. Thank You!
Sandra Alva…On February 17, 2010, Sandra received a call for medical assistance from a very upset man who reported that his father had just died. The call for help was further complicated by the distraught nature of the caller, along with a language barrier. Sandra managed to calm the caller down and provide him with CPR instructions. Sandra dispatched paramedics to the scene and the patient was defibrillated and transported to the hospital post-heart attack. Sandra’s actions during this critical incident were compassionate and all the while calm and effective and certainly instrumental in saving the afflicted man’s life. Outstanding work, Sandra!
Lonarice Williams…On February 5, 2010, Lonarice received a call reporting a male having a heart attack. Within 22 seconds, Lonarice dispatched an ambulance to the scene. During this time, Lonarice realized the patient was not conscious, not breathing, and turning blue, a sign of cardiac arrest. Lonarice quickly followed protocol and asked the caller if a defibrillator was available and quickly but calmly provided instructions on how to operate the AED. Lonarice did an outstanding job talking the people involved through the instructions in a very effective manner that in great part led to the saving of this man’s life. Her clear and concise thinking was the order of the day. Congratulations on an outstanding life saving effort!
Staycee Gordon…On March 30, 2010, an officer reported that he made contact with a wanted subject. The suspect was known to carry a gun and threatened to use it if necessary. The suspect was also known to say that he “will not go back to prison alive.” The armed and dangerous suspect led the police on a high speed vehicle chase weaving through city streets changing lanes, making right turns, left turns, and u-turns; running stop signs, red lights, and presenting a grave danger to officers and the public. Staycee handled this very dangerous and stressful incident professionally and calmly to a peaceful and successful end with the suspect being taken into custody without anyone getting hurt or injured. Good work, Staycee, a job well done!
Jeffrey Mosbaugh…Jeff received a phone call from an excited male stating that his female companion was in her third trimester of pregnancy. Amid the sounds of a frantic woman screaming in pain in the background, Jeff remained very calm and professional began giving childbirth delivery instructions. Within moments, the caller announced that the woman had delivered a child. Jeffrey continued to give afterbirth instructions and remained on the line with the caller until paramedics arrived on the scene and took over. Way to go Jeff! Great job!
Catherine Torres…Catherine received a 911 call from a female advising that a male friend of hers had passed out. Catherine first assured the caller that emergency assistance was en route to their location. While help was en route, Catherine instructed the caller to move her friend onto to the floor, check his airway, and begin CPR. While she continued her life saving efforts, the caller could be heard translating Catherine’s instructions in a language other than English. Throughout this traumatic phone call, Catherine remained very calm, professional, and reassuring. These actions went a long way in assisting the caller to also remain calm and focus on her life-saving efforts that thankfully were successful. Excellent job, Catherine!
Eileen David… While operating the radio dispatch service channel, Eileen received a telephone call from a distraught male caller stating that he had taken an overdose of pills in an attempt to commit suicide. The caller asked Eileen to contact his parents and let them know of his desperate actions. Eileen was able to get some very critical information from the male including the fact that he was in some hotel but couldn’t give the name of the hotel. This was a Phase II wireless call with a confidence of 36 feet from the target location. With the gained information, Eileen immediately accessed Google Maps and entered the target location and searched for the closest hotel. There were two hotels in the immediate area of the target range and officers were dispatched to either hotel. Additional information obtained by the officer’s helped locate the suicidal subject who was then transported to a local hospital for immediate emergency medical treatment. Eileen’s response to this call was immediate, very proactive, and very remarkable. There is no doubt that Eileen going the “extra mile” saved the young man’s life. Congratulations on an outstanding job Eileen! Way to go!
Susan Fraizer…On June 3, 2010, a caller reported that he was in Nevada and that his mother-in-law, who resides in San Mateo, was in medical distress. Susan immediately sent up a MED Code for service. Susan’s quick thinking and effective actions resulted in the woman getting the emergency medical assistance that kept her alive. In a letter received by Susan’s supervisor, the son-in-law had nothing but high praise for Susan stating that, “Susan made me feel as I was her only caller on her shift.” Susan, the level of professional service you provided to that caller reflects positively upon you as well as the rest of the Department of Emergency Communications. Thank you Susan and congratulations on a job well done! You have an awful lot of which to be proud.
Karen O’malley…(wife of Sgt. James O’Malley, Mission Station). On August 30, 2010, Karen received a transfer telephone call from the California Highway Patrol. The caller reported that his one-year old son had stopped breathing. A distressed female could be heard crying in the background. During this high stress, emotionally charged moment, Karen maintained a calm and professional demeanor. In less than a minute she determined that the child was not conscious or breathing. Karen sent a 9E1 (Respitory Arrest) call for service and the call was immediately dispatched. Without hesitation, Karen began giving CPR instructions and continued such instructions until help arrived on the scene. Although the outcome of the call for service was not favorable, Karen needs to be congratulated and recognized for her unique tremendous effort in this life saving effort. God Bless you Karen, and thank you for all you do!
Tracy Romine-Mann…Within the past few months, Tracy received two commendations for exemplary performances. The first outstanding performance took place on June 12, 2010 involving a caller reporting that her husband was dizzy, sweating, and suffering from chest pains. Tracy quickly entered a call for service despite there being a language barrier. Tracy stayed on the line with the frantic woman until emergency medical assistance arrived on the scene and administered CPR. Her quick actions and compassion played a large part in the successful resuscitation and a life saved.
The second incident occurred on August 29, 2010 when she received a telephone call from an elderly woman reporting that she had fallen down and felt a numbing sensation on the right side of her body. Once again, Tracy immediately entered a call for service. It was later determined that the poor woman suffered a stroke. Upon her recovery the grateful gal wanted Tracy to receive the proper thanks. In part she stated that Tracy kept her calm throughout the ordeal while responding in a caring, efficient, and firm manner. The grateful woman closed her letter by writing, “there are not enough thanks for what you do!”
I think that line pretty much sums up what message each and every noted incident above carries to all our dispatchers whether identified above or not. Those of us who are most grateful for your daily outstanding efforts understand and realize that, in fact, there are NOT enough thanks for what you do!
