04-14-22 Commissioners Issue Proclamations For National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week & National Animal Care And Control Professionals Appreciation Week (Photo) -04/14/22
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 14, 2022
Commissioners Issue Proclamations for National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week & National Animal Care and Control Professionals Appreciation Week
(Douglas County, Ore.) – Douglas County Commissioners Tim Freeman, Chris Boice and Tom Kress were honored to issue proclamations in honor of National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week & National Animal Care and Control Professionals Appreciation Week during their weekly business meeting on Wednesday, April 13, 2022.
The first proclamation the Commissioners presented, recognized our dedicated public safety telecommunicators, also know as 911 communications professionals, who play a crucial role in our public safety efforts and are there to answer emergency and lifesaving calls to those in need 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. While the Commissioners offered their sincere appreciation to all 911 communications professionals who dedicate their lives to this important work, they presented National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week certificates to the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office (DCSO) and the Douglas County Emergency Communications 911 (DCEC) staff including: Douglas County Sheriff John Hanlin; DCSO Undersheriff and 911 Communications Division Commander Jeff Frieze; DCSO Lieutenant Brad O’Dell; Tom Cross, DCEC 911 Communications Center Operations Manager; Teresa DeLaCruz, DCEC 911 Communications Supervisor; Dawna Zarbano, DCEC 911 Communications Supervisor; Amy Felker, DCEC 911 Communications Officer and Katie Siegel, DCEC 911 Communications Officer. The DCEC is a division of the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office which operates as the 911 answering point for all of Douglas County. The DCEC center receives and dispatches calls for six police agencies, 28 fire agencies and nine ambulance service providers.
The Commissioners also took the opportunity to recognize the Reedsport Police Department’s Communications Dispatch team who provide vital 911 communications service for our coastal residents. They thanked Charlene Lohf, Reedsport Police Dispatch Supervisor and Reedsport Police 911 Communication Officers, Sean Grubb, Hazel Brewster, Kathleen Clardy, Chelsea Thompson and Sandra McDuffy.
“These are some of my favorite people in the whole building. The work they do day-in and day-out is truly amazing,” stated Commissioner Chris Boice. “We know that the ability to access immediate emergency services dramatically improves the survival and recovery rate of those who experience sudden illness or injury.”
The Commissioners issued a second proclamation honoring animal control officers who dedicate their professional careers to rescue pets in danger; protect human health and safety; help wildlife, livestock, exotic animals and pets; seek justice in cases of abused, neglected, and abandoned animals; enforce animal control laws; protect the public from diseases such as rabies; encourage responsible pet ownership; and educate the public on the proper care and well-being of all domestic animals. Again, while the Commissioners offered their sincere appreciation to all law enforcement and animal control officers who dedicate their lives to this important work, they presented National Animal Care and Control Professionals Appreciation Week certificates to DCSO, the Douglas County Animal Control Division staff and the Winston Police Department including: Douglas County Sheriff John Hanlin; DCSO Undersheriff Jeff Frieze; Lieutenant Brad O’Dell, DCSO Division Supervisor; Deputy Lee Bartholomew, DCSO Animal Control Officer; Devin Kirk, DCSO Volunteer Animal Control Cadet; Winston Police Chief Brandon Sarti and Officer Dana Parker, Winston Police Community Enforcement. Both agencies encourage responsible pet ownership, including compliance with state and local laws and the spaying/neutering of dogs and cats.
“The entire community knows about the great work that our animal control officers do here in Douglas County. Credit for that work really does go to Deputy Bartholomew and the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office. And we are doubly pleased that the Winston Police Department has stepped up to do this work as well. We know these officers are all here to help make our communities better. Thank you!” - Commissioner Tim Freeman.
A copy of the live video presentation can be found on the Douglas County Government Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/DouglasCountyeGovernment.
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Media Contact: Tamara Howell, Douglas County Emergency Communications & Community Engagement Specialist, Douglas County Public Affairs Office | Office: (541) 957-4896 | Cell: (541) 670-2804 | Email: tjhowell@co.douglas.or.us
(Proclamation and Photo Collage Attached. Individual photos are available upon request)
