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ST. JOSEPH – Berrien County Commissioners honored the county’s 911 dispatchers during their weekly meeting Thursday morning. Six 911 telecommunicators were honored with one winning “Dispatcher of the Year” honors.

Berrien County 911 Administrator/Director Caitlin Sampsell and Berrien County Undersheriff Greg Sanders presided over the presentation. Sanders is chairman of the county’s 811 Advisory Committee.

“We are recognizing the six individuals who have been nominated,” Sanders told commissioners. “They have the critical task to coordinate services across the county, often when lives are on the line.”

“They all have a willingness help people, an ability to multitask, listening skills and good communication skills,” he added. “They work 24 hour schedules because when people need help, they need it right then. It’s kind of like a rollercoaster, they have busy times and down times. We are very fortunate to have talented people in these positions.”

Sanders introduced and provided information on all six nominees before presenting the Dispatcher of the Year award to Berrien County Dispatch Supervisor Kristina Burks. “She demonstrated exceptional leadership in several incidents in 2024,” he said.

He noted that Burks efficiently supervised the storm response in the south county on Aug. 27, coordinating fire, police, emergency medical service and utility workers. He also highlighted her work in managing dual critical injury accidents in the same jurisdiction on Oct. 13 and in coordinating the response to a double shooting Nov. 2 in Eau Claire.

“The ability to manage large scale incidents and run multiple channels highlights her skills,” Sanders said.

He also noted that Burks has been recognized by her fellow supervisors for her leadership role in bringing up questions and concerns as well as being a strong advocate of celebrating and supporting dispatchers during the year. “She makes sure everyone feels valued and appreciated and organizes shift dinners,” he said. “She’s an invaluable member of the department.”

Sampsell added that Burks is an invaluable member of the Berrien County Public Safety Communication Center (Berrien County 911) and the entire Berrien County public safety responder community.

Sanders also recognized the other five nominees: Niles Dispatcher Keith Lehman; Berrien County Dispatchers Audrey McCrery, Cheyenne Bond, Christina Selent; and retired Berrien County Dispatch Supervisor Sarah Blurton.

Examples of their work included multi-tasking of critical duties in response to a structure fire while working solo, assistance in the quick recovery of a stolen vehicle, managing response to a reported active threat (later determined to be a swatting incident) at a high school, and providing a calm response to a firefighter Mayday.

The nominees also developed rapport with a caller in crisis for over 90 minutes on the phone, assisted to reunite lost animals with their owners, participated in the training of new telecommunicators, and the development of an onboarding and employee engagement group called Team Connect.

“The nominations presented for this year’s Telecommunicator of the Year illustrate the vital work that our telecommunicators do on a daily basis. 911 is always there to answer the call for help,” Sampsell said.

“These dedicated professionals take actions to support and keep citizens and field responders safe, making a difference in our community through their service every day. It is an honor to celebrate them and their role in public safety.”

County Board Chairman McKinley Elliott thanked all the nominees on behalf of his fellow commissioners. “Everyone here is appreciated and valued,” he said. “It’s a shame that there is one winner, you are all qualified. you’re all outstanding and are all appreciated. We’re lucky to have you. You are all an important part of public safety.”

The “Dispatcher of the Year” award is presented during National 911 Public-Safety Telecommunicators Week, which is annually recognized in April, during National 911 Education Month.

911 Telecommunicators are not only the call-takers and dispatchers, but are known as the “first first responders” for their integral role in the response to an emergency call, providing pre-arrival instructions over the phone, and mobilizing and coordinating the field response.

911 telecommunicators perform skilled, challenging work in emergency situations every day, work that requires not just resilience, but also specialized training, expertise, and skills. Efforts are now underway at the federal level to change their Bureau of Labor Statistics classification be a protective service occupation and not a clerical occupation.

Sampsell said those interested in becoming a dispatcher should check with their local 911 Center for open opportunities. People can learn more about the Berrien County Public Safety Communication Center and its employment opportunities at https://www.berriencounty.org/911jobs

A new opportunity will be offered this fall for high school students interested in pursuing a career as a dispatcher. Berrien County’s High School Career Technical Education Program is offering a 911 Dispatch track for seniors in the 2025-2026 school year. Enrollment is open now with information available through high school guidance offices.