Carolyn Lange / Tribune
Paul Larson, a 15-year veteran dispatcher at the law enforcement center in Litchfield, takes calls during his 12-hour shift.
Sp tlight on Public
Service
DISPATCHERS Unsung heroes work 12-hour shifts taking life-and-death calls and complaints about barking dogs By Carolyn Lange clange@wctrib.com LITCHFIELD – There’s a hushed atmosphere in the dimly lit room where two veteran Meeker County dispatchers work 12-hour shifts in front of a complex communication system and bank of computer monitors. Their hot lunch of burgers grows cold on the desks as they take calls from the public and send out emergency crews. On this particular day, there’s a call for medical assistance in Watkins. Last July they fielded scores of calls for help and paged emergency personnel when
a tornado ripped through the county and in August they sent police to Watkins where a little girl was kidnapped and later found dead in northern Minnesota. “It can get pretty busy in here,” said Suzi Holtz, who is the senior dispatcher in Meeker County with 16 years of experience. “You have to think quickly and just do it.” Oftentimes when the phones light up, the caller has a complaint about their neighbor’s barking dog or bad driving by a motorist on the road. Whether it’s routine or an emergency, each call – and
each caller – is treated with respect, Holtz said. “They need that voice and to know that help is coming.” A traffic accident can result in a dozen 911 calls from people on cell phones, but because the 13th call could be a call for help for a heart attack on the other end of the county, dispatchers answer each call as if it’s a new emergency, said Paul Larson, who has been a dispatcher for 15 years. “We’re taught not to assume,” Holtz said. Dispatchers undergo six months of training before they go solo. Jordan Spaulding was hired
in February and sits at the control center under Holtz’s careful eye. “I like what law enforcement does and I want to be part of that and do what I can to help,” Spaulding said. No matter how much training or experience – or the outcome of an emergency – dispatchers review whether they did everything right or fast enough, Holtz said. “You do the best you can.” Sheriff Brian Cruze said the crew of seven dispatchers in Meeker County are “unsung heroes” who provide a crucial web between the public and the people who are sent to help them.
Carolyn Lange / Tribune
With 16 years of experience, Suzi Holtz, back, is the senior dispatcher at the law enforcement center in Litchfield. She’s training in Jordan Spaulding, who began working as a dispatcher in February. During their 12-hour shifts dispatchers take calls from the public about life-and-death emergencies, as well as complaints about barking dogs.
ABOUT THIS SECTION: Each year the news staff at the West Central Tribune works together to put out a “Focus” section, centering on a theme that showcases people from the region. This special edition to the paper is always well-received by our readers, and gives our reporters a chance to get out and do something different
from the day-to-day coverage of their beat topics. This year’s theme is: Spotlight on Public Service. Public service is that service which is provided by government to people living within its jurisdiction, either directly (through the public sector) or by financing provision of services.
These include jobs with federal, state, local or tribal government organizations, public child or family service agencies, and nonprofit organizations. Government employers include the military and public schools and colleges. There are many, many people and jobs that fall under the “public service”
category, way too many to cover here. However, we tried to include a cross-section of services across the region to get people thinking about all the public services that operate right here amongst us all on a daily basis. We hope you enjoy this year’s Focus edition.
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April 20, 2017