May 19, 2013
They're usually anonymous but not this week.
Pam Lowe has been a Houston County 9-1-1 dispatcher for more than 10 years.
"I love it I think it's a rewarding job, I think it's an exciting job," said Lowe.
Lowe says she fell into telecommunications after wanting to try something different.
"I was a stay at home mom at the time looking for something to do, explained Lowe, and I thought this would be a very interesting job, it would give me a chance to deal with the public."
A few blocks over at dothan's dispatch, Sandi Jarrett has been a 911 operator for more than 19 years.
"I enjoy it very much, it's very rewarding, it can be stressful, it can be aggravating at times but it does come with a lot of personal rewards for being able to help people in crisis," said Jarrett.
Jarrett says the qualifications to become an operator aren't too stiff but the training is extensive.
"They go through about 120 hours of training."
That training is very important because a well prepared operator can save lives.
The ladies say they are here to help but there are some ways you can make their job easier.
"Try and be as calm as they can and try to tell us what's going on, Jarrett said, and understand that we're asking the questions."
"Be aware of your surroundings you might not know the exact location of where you are, said Lowe, but just look for a street number or mailbox."
If you'd like, you can honor the dispatchers by sending thank you notes to the agency.
Another important thing you can do to help out, is to avoid letting your children play with your cell phone because when they dial 911 the calls sometimes tie up the lines.
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