PHOTO PROVIDED Clinton County Commissioners Angela Harding and Vice Chair Jeff Snyder, back row, are pictured with various representatives of emergency personnel from fire companies in Lamar Township, Mill Hall and Dunnstown, Lock Haven EMS, the Department of Emergency Services and 9-1-1 dispatchers, the Clinton County Sheriff’s Department and Lock Haven City Police.

LOCK HAVEN — The Clinton County Board of Commissioners and multiple first responders gave their thanks to the county’s 9-1-1 dispatchers during National Safety Telecommunicators Week.

The board unanimously proclaimed April 14-20, 2024 as National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week in Clinton County, highlighting the important role dispatchers in the Clinton County Department of Emergency Services play on a daily basis.

According to the proclamation, read by Commissioner Angela Harding, “Public Safety Telecommunicators at the Clinton County 9-1-1 Center have assisted with the apprehension of criminals, suppression of fires and treatment of patients.”

“The work of these ‘unseen first responders’ is invaluable in emergency situations, and each of these dedicated men and women deserves our heartfelt appreciations,” the proclamation reads. “Citizens place trust in these individuals, not just this week, but everyday of the year and each telecommunicator exhibits compassion, understanding and professionalism during the performance of their job assisting those in need.”

Following the approval of the proclamation, the board heard from first responders who expressed their own appreciation for the work the communication center provides.

Lock Haven EMS Chief Gerard Banfill noted there was a time in Clinton County when an individual would call a seven digit number and “wait and wait and wait for someone to pick up the phone.”

“Now you have 911 and quite the compliment of staff between administrators, assistant administrators and dispatchers that take these calls,” Banfill said.

Banfill stressed how integral the dispatchers’ role is in a crisis, and noted it is a difficult one.

“You can watch TV but I can tell you, it’s not anything like what these folks go through on a daily basis,” he said. “Think about somebody calling you and begging for help and the call drops. Put yourself in those shoes. If you call back and no one answers? Your heart’s wrenching.”

Banfill thanked the administrators for the department, commending them for their staffing.

“The communication center, in my opinion, is probably the best it’s ever been. It’s nice to be able to call and talk to somebody that understands why I’m calling and is already prepared to make a resolution to fix whatever the complications are.”

“I’m telling you, you’ve got a good group and I hope we can keep the push forward. Anything you need on the EMS side I’m sure the EMS responders are here for you,” he concluded.

Pat Steinbacher, of the Lamar Township Fire Department, also offered some brief words of encouragement for the dispatchers.

“Most people don’t realize what they go through in the center. They don’t just do one call, they handle multiples,” he said.

Steinbacher noted a recent incident that took place on Monday.

“We had a cardiac arrest, the neighbor found a gentleman on the ground,” he said. “They (the dispatcher) talked him through CPR and they kept it going until we got there.”

Sheriff Kerry Stover noted the communication center’s crucial role in coordinating multiple emergency service personnel across the county and even over county lines for a large fire in Chapman Township Thursday morning.

“Sure, during the storms you get the trees down calls, but most of the time somebody on the other end of that phone is going through the worst time of their life — cardiac arrest, a house fire, they’ve just gotten into a wreck — they need to talk to somebody that invokes the confidence in them and that they can get the help there,” Stover said.

Director of Emergency Services, Jonathan Plessinger, thanked the board for the proclamation and support of the department.

“I wanted to give a huge shoutout to several businesses, including the commissioners, for providing food to the dispatchers all week,” he said. “I appreciate the public and everyone that reached out to say happy dispatcher week.”

Harding commended Plessinger for his work at the department and read a message the county received from a Central Mountain High School instructor, Janelle Miller.

The letter noted Plessinger presented an overview of the department recently, which Miller said was well done.

“He was responsive to the students, answered their questions and did so in a professional manner. He is an asset to our community,” Miller wrote.

“I just wanted to recognize you, Jonathan, for your leadership and modernization of the department and the things you’re doing to make sure the constituents and residents of Clinton County, and even beyond our borders, are getting the best service possible,” Harding said.