By Greg Welter
Chico Enterprise-Record (California)
Copyright 2007 MediaNews Group, Inc. and ANG Newspapers
All Rights Reserved
| Editor’s note: Every year, during the second full week in April, the men and women who serve as public safety telecommunicators are honored. This year, April 8-14 is set aside for National Public Safety Telecommunications Week, so please let your colleagues know of the great job they are doing. |
Emergency dispatchers from eight local police and fire agencies were honored Tuesday as Butte County observed National Public Safety Telecommunications Week, April 8-14.
As dispatchers of the year, selected by personnel from their own departments, the emergency workers were feted at a dinner Tuesday night.
Julie Ceccato was selected as Chico’s dispatcher of the year. The eight-year veteran dispatches both police and fire emergencies, and serves as a training officer. Her supervisor said she has the ability to bring levity to often serious situations, but is always thoroughly professional.
The Butte County Sheriff’s Office honored Melissa Matz. In her sixth year as a dispatcher, Matz’ supervisor said she brings strength, calm and caring to her job. She is involved with a church group which supports an orphanage in Zambia, Africa.
Stephen Locatelli, the lone male honoree, is with the California Highway Patrol office in Chico. In just his second year as a dispatcher, Locatelli is a former Butte County sheriff’s deputy. He distinguished himself at a CHP dispatch academy in 2005, where he served as president of his graduating class.
Martha Besseghini is dispatcher of the year for Paradise. She has worked both police and fire emergencies for the department since 1989, and was a community services officer in Chico before that. Her supervisor said she is a trained crisis negotiator, and often uses those skills as a dispatcher. She is a volunteer with Handi-Riders, an equine therapy program for disabled children and adults. Besseghini plans to retire this year.
The Gridley-Biggs police are honoring Jennifer Ryan as dispatcher of the year. She joined the department just over a year ago, after earning a degree in Criminal Justice.
Ryan’s supervisor said she brings out the best in everyone she deals with.
Dawn Boone was selected as dispatcher of the year by the Oroville police.
She joined the department in 2003. Her supervisor calls her a calm, compassionate and reassuring voice to the citizens of Oroville and the officers on her shift. Boone has received several letters of commendation during her four years on the department.
Chico State University Police dispatcher Dianne Meeder is that department’s honoree. She started her public safety career with the Oroville police, then joined the university police in 1989, becoming a dispatcher in 2002.
She serves as the department’s communications, records and evidence manager. Co-workers rely heavily on Meeder’s experience, and say she is always looking for ways to improve the dispatch work environment.
Melanie Bundy is dispatcher of the year for Cal Fire-Butte County. A volunteer firefighter in Butte County since 1990, Bundy had always expressed a keen interest in becoming a dispatcher, but didn’t take a job in the field until 2002. Her supervisor said Bundy always stays calm in a crisis, remembering advice from a former captain that it is the caller’s emergency, and not hers.
At a public safety fair Tuesday, hosted by the Chico Elks Lodge, the dispatchers joined other emergency workers in sharing their important jobs with members of the community.
Chico Fire Department Inspector Marie Fickert said more than 1,000 children from 11 area schools streamed into the Elks Lodge as part of class field trips.
Students as young as pre-schoolers, and as old as seniors in high school, got a chance to ask public safety professionals such questions as how they got into public safety work, and what they like most, and least, about their jobs.
Younger children were attracted by outdoor displays, including fire engines, ambulances, police cars, and a robot used by the Butte County Sheriff’s Bomb Squad. The Chico Fire Department had its “learn not to burn” house at the fair which teaches kids how to safely get out of a burning structure.
At a booth manned by Chico police personnel, dispatch supervisor Sherri Marshall asked children from Marigold School if they knew their address and phone number. If they didn’t she gave them a little homework that involved writing that information down until they remembered it.
“If I ask you your phone number tomorrow, will you know it?” Marshall asked one young boy. “Yes,” he answered back, somewhat sheepishly.
Younger students who visited each of more than 20 display booths at the fair were eligible to enter a drawing, and a chance to win a soccer ball or a razor scooter, Fickert said.
Older students attended as part of a career fair, and had a chance to ask specific questions about working in public safety.
Following the fair, students representing Regional Occupational Programs at Chico and Pleasant Valley high schools got special training in workplace safety.
Students with an interest in teaching learned classroom safety, while those looking forward to a career in the sales and service industry got tips about workplace safety.