The Inter-Mountain photo by Amanda Hayes The Upshur County Commission has formally recognized 911 dispatchers as first responders, becoming the second county in the state to do so. From left are Commission President Sam Nolte, dispatchers Amanda Atchison, Stephanie Jack, Director Doyle Cutright, Assistant Director Kimbra Wachob, dispatchers Yvette Squires and Paris Wilson, and Commissioners Kristie Tenney and Terry Cutright.

The Inter-Mountain photo by Amanda Hayes
The Upshur County Commission has formally recognized 911 dispatchers as first responders, becoming the second county in the state to do so. From left are Commission President Sam Nolte, dispatchers Amanda Atchison, Stephanie Jack, Director Doyle Cutright, Assistant Director Kimbra Wachob, dispatchers Yvette Squires and Paris Wilson, and Commissioners Kristie Tenney and Terry Cutright.

BUCKHANNON — Upshur County became the second county in the state to formally recognize its dispatchers at first responders with a proclamation passed during this week’s Upshur County Commission meeting.

Upshur County E-911 Center director Doyle Cutright told the Upshur County Commission that assistant director Kimbra Wachob and he had really wanted this to happen and it is part of a national movement to give dispatchers the credit they deserve.

“You guys have always showed us a lot of support and we really appreciate that,” he said.

House Resolution Bill 1629 has been introduced in Congress to formally recognize 911 telecommunicators at the federal level as a first responder.

“Currently, we are classified as secretaries, which is, in my opinion, a great disgrace to what we do every day,” he said.

“When I brought this up with Carrie (Wallace, county administrator), I said it would be really nice for us to be locally recognized because 911, in my opinion, serves locally,” he said. “We are a part of these communities. We assist our law enforcement, fire and EMS every day.

“It really warms my heart and it really warms Kimbra’s heart,” he said. “This was one of the things she was really pushing to get accomplished this year or next year.

“It really gives me a great sense of pride that you guys support us to the level proclaiming us as first responders and it makes me even more proud that we are at the forefront of this in the state of West Virginia,” Cutright said. “To date, there is only one other county that has formally recognized their telecommunicators as first responders and that is Kanawha County. I think it should everyone in Upshur County a great sense of pride that are leading in this movement.”

Wachob added, “I would just like to thank the county commission for their continued support of our 911 center. Our employees know what they do every day and what they go through. It helps me to know that you guys see that also. we just want to thank you for your support.”

Commission president Sam Nolte said, “You guys do an incredible job. I have learned a ton since I have been on commission. Folks don’t really understand how much goes into being a telecommunicator.”

The proclamation signed Thursday states in part, “911 Public Safety Telecommunicators make the same sacrifices in their personal lives as firefighters, law enforcement officers and emergency medical service workers by leaving their families, friends and the safety of their surroundings to handle the emergency 911 calls that save the lives, protect the property and ensure the safety of our community during weather, chemical and other emergency events…”