National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week Focuses on the Efforts of Dispatchers

Melissa Osburn

We have been recognizing emergency dispatchers this week for National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week. Melissa Osburn, who has been at the Starke County Sheriff’s Department for two years, says they take a variety of emergency calls.

“It can be anything from a medical emergency, structure fire, grass fires, civil matters – it’s anything that anyone would have a problem with,” said Osburn.

Osburn works the night shift at the Sheriff’s Department and she was asked if there is a big difference between the day shift and the night shift.

“During the day, I think it’s a lot busier because the courts are open so they get a lot more phone calls. We get, in my opinion, a lot more interesting calls.”

Osburn said she enjoys helping the people of Starke County.

“You’ve got somebody who’s scared and you’re a person that can try and calm them and tell them what they need to do to help somebody.”

The dispatchers at all law enforcement agencies are the first responders when you call in your emergency. Make sure you take the time to thank them for assisting you in your case.