Dispatchers praised for cool handling of emergencies

Local News
Five Bartholomew County dispatchers and a former dispatcher were honored by county officials at a ceremony Monday.
Five Bartholomew County dispatchers and a former dispatcher were honored by county officials at a ceremony Monday.

Bartholomew County emergency officials are recognizing outstanding work by the county’s emergency dispatchers.

Ed Reuter, director of the county’s emergency operations center, praised the work of the county’s dispatchers during several recent emergencies.

He talked about the work of Dispatchers Tony McClain, Shannon Stewart, Kelly Wilhite and Emily Moore during a bank robbery in the Edinburgh area on January 11th.

Bartholomew County Commissioners President Carl Lienhoop presents an award to Dispatcher Tony McClain Monday.
Bartholomew County Commissioners President Carl Lienhoop presents an award to Dispatcher Tony McClain Monday.

McClain was also individually honored for his handling of a call involving a violent person who was high on heroin, hiding out in a home in southern Bartholomew County.

Bartholomew County Commissioners President Carl Lienhoop congratulates Dispatcher Amanda Aird Monday.
Bartholomew County Commissioners President Carl Lienhoop congratulates Dispatcher Amanda Aird Monday.

Reuter commended dispatcher Amanda Aird for her handling of a text-to-911 message in January where a victim was able to text while in the midst of a domestic dispute and fearing for her life. He said Aird’s skills helped save the victim from serious injury.

Former dispatcher Dylan Prather was commended for his help saving the life of Columbus resident Jan Brinkman. Dr. Roger Brinkman, her husband, found his wife struggling for breath and without a detectable pulse at around 2 in the morning last June 21st.

Dr. Roger Brinkman and his wife Jan Brinkman thank Dispatcher Dylan Prather at a ceremony Monday.
Dr. Roger Brinkman and his wife Jan Brinkman thank Dispatcher Dylan Prather at a ceremony Monday.

Prather sayed on the line with Dr. Brinkman, keeping count during the CPR, for 8 minutes. The Brinkmans credit Prather, along with paramedics and doctors, with saving Jan’s life. Prather has since gone on to study to become a police officer.

Reuter presented the dispatchers with plaques at yesterday morning’s County Commissioners meeting.  County Commissioners also read a proclamation, recognizing this as National Telecommunicators Week.