Prepared's NPSTW 2026 Telecommunicator Spotlights

For NPSTW 2026, we are incredibly proud to present the Prepared Telecommunicator Spotlight Series, honoring over 35 telecommunicators who've demonstrated outstanding service to their agencies and exemplified the best of 911.

Six telecommunicators, in honor of their distinguished achievements, will receive special recognition from Prepared CEO Michael Chime on Prepared social media. Each day for the remainder of the week, we will honor one of those telecommunicators and explain how they went above & beyond.

Please read about the amazing public safety professionals that are the backbone of our communities:

All Staff | Mifflin County Office of Public Safety
Nominated by: Joshua Pennepacker
Why they deserve the spotlight:
I would like to highlight all of the staff at Mifflin County Office of Public Safety. The staff that works here has gone above and beyond especially during the last 1.5 years when we were short staffed. All staff members have stepped up to make sure that there were no openings in the schedule. The staff continue to push forward and train to be better at what they do every day. I could not ask for a better group of men and women to work with.

Randi Caldwell | Owensboro-Daviess County Central Dispatch
Nominated by: Angel Szefi
Why they deserve the spotlight:
Randi has taken on the task of updating our agency's training manual and strives to ensure that it is accurate. She is always looking for ways to improve the training process and demonstrates patience and determination when training new hires. She has proven to be an asset to this agency and her community.

Travis Walker | Cary Emergency Communications Center
Nominated by: Jonathon Leal
Why they deserve the spotlight:
Travis is a dedicated and impactful leader who prioritizes the growth and success of his team. He actively mentors others, creates opportunities for professional development, and plays a key role in training both new and future leaders. Known for his strong work ethic, reliability, and willingness to help, he leads by example and earns the trust and respect of those around him. Travis measures success through his team's achievements, consistently pushing others to improve while fostering confidence and development, making him highly deserving of recognition.

Destiny Mayberry | City of Fort Worth
Nominated by: Dhanielle Hernandez
Why they deserve the spotlight:
She handles every call with professionalism and care with a kind and understanding voice.

Tiffany Smith | Gordon County 911
Nominated by: Stephanie Cooper, Harmony, and Wes Grizzle
Why they deserve the spotlight:
Tiffany always goes above and beyond with everything she does. From helping her community to helping her neighbor, she always is the first person to step in when something needs done. She takes her job so seriously. She truly wants to help any way possible. She is passionate for what she does and prays for the situations going on in the community. Tiffany does a great job with dispatching appropriately. She's very positive and optimistic with her work. She is the spirit of Gordon County E-9-1-1 — she is so involved with promoting her fellow dispatchers to the public and raising awareness about what dispatchers do by organizing events in the community.

Jared Belter | Anoka County Emergency Communications
Nominated by: Tanner Ess
Why they deserve the spotlight:
Jared has used Prepared to completely revamp the quality assurance process in our center. He used the Protocols feature to accomplish this, taking the time to create Protocols for each and every one of our event types — all with their own unique definitions and questions to score. There are about 150 Protocols total that he created over the course of several months. He spent a lot of time testing and reviewing the Protocols to make sure they were scoring accurately. Before we began using Protocols, we would QA two calls a month per dispatcher. Now we are getting quality assurance on nearly every single call we take. This is a fantastic tool for our supervisors on the floor as they can quickly review every call taken during their shifts. Our staff also are getting instant feedback on their calls, which helps so much for making sure everyone receives both constructive AND positive reinforcement. Jared tackled the majority of this project single-handedly, and it is helping nearly every aspect of our operations in some way.

Tricia Conter | Jones County Joint Communication Center
Nominated by: Ashley Macke
Why they deserve the spotlight:
Always goes above and beyond to help people and all of her coworkers.

Timothy Floyd | Oconee County Sheriff's Office
Nominated by: Kelly Brewington
Why they deserve the spotlight:
Tim is both an effective and professional leader as well as a calm, supportive mentor to me as a new dispatcher. He is the most knowledgeable dispatcher and is always helping me learn new things to help me be successful.

Jama Clark | Jefferson County Emergency Communications
Nominated by: Jennifer Smith
Why they deserve the spotlight:
Jama consistently demonstrates a calm and composed demeanor, even in the most high-pressure situations. Her ability to think clearly, prioritize effectively, and provide accurate, timely information to both callers and first responders makes her an invaluable asset to our team. She goes above and beyond in her role, showing genuine compassion for callers during their most vulnerable moments while maintaining strict adherence to protocol. Her communication skills are outstanding, ensuring that critical information is relayed efficiently and without error. In addition to her technical abilities, Jama is a supportive and dependable team member. She leads by example, maintains a strong work ethic, and contributes positively to the overall morale of the communications center. Jama Clark truly embodies the qualities of an outstanding 911 dispatcher, and she is highly deserving.

Entire Staff | Adams County Sheriff's Office / Communications Center
Nominated by: Jennifer Smith
Why they deserve the spotlight:
This group of telecommunicators has demonstrated unwavering dedication, resilience, and professionalism under extremely challenging conditions. Our center is currently operating with seven full-time dispatchers, plus one full-time dispatcher in training — not long ago, we had a staff of 11, meaning this team has continued to operate while significantly short-handed. Despite these staffing challenges, our dispatchers have consistently stepped up: working extended hours, covering shifts with very limited days off, and ensuring that emergency services remain uninterrupted for our community. Each day, they manage high call volumes, high-stress situations, and emotionally difficult interactions with strength and professionalism. They are often exhausted, yet they continue to answer every call with compassion, accuracy, and a commitment to helping those in need. Short-staffed, overworked, and exhausted — but never broken. This team continues to answer every call, every time, no matter what.

Bailey Osborne | Las Vegas Metro Police Department
Nominated by: Christine Mazza
Why they deserve the spotlight:
Bailey is an amazing call taker. She works very hard and also volunteers to work overtime almost every day. She has a great attitude, is polite to citizens and never loses her temper. She is helpful to co-workers and is willing to help anyone, at any time.

Athena Pelehrinis | Orange County Sheriff's Dept
Nominated by: Anna Beals and Laura Ackley
Why they deserve the spotlight:
Athena is a reliable member of the team who always maintains a positive disposition and brings cheery energy to any shift she's working. She works hard and cares deeply about a job well done. She's a great example of taking personal accountability in an effort to elevate morale and make the Dispatch Center better when she walks through the doors.‍ She is a ray of sunshine. She is polite, positive, and thorough. She interacts well with callers, her co-workers, and units, and does especially well when handling calls with young informants — be that children, teens, or young adults. She adapts, follows through, and is always willing to learn. More importantly, she implements what she learns and shares that with the team. She's constantly trying new things, making adaptations, and integrating new technology into her daily dispatch and call-taking routines.

Daniel Jairam | El Paso Police Department (Public Safety Telecommunicator)
Nominated by: Mark Brooks
Why they deserve the spotlight:
This person always shows up on time, and overall brings professionalism and is a pleasure to work with on the call floor! Anytime anyone has a question, Daniel is always there to answer it, or know where to find the right answer.

Khadijah Davis | Shelby County 911
Nominated by: Jessica Campbell
Why they deserve the spotlight:
Khadijah is a CTO, an amazing team member, and always makes sure her people are taken care of.

Linsey Tillotson | Shelby County 911
Nominated by: Paige Dillard
Why they deserve the spotlight:
Linsey helps everyone here keep an upbeat, fun attitude all while truly caring for people. She goes above and beyond to make sure everyone understands the job and is capable of doing it.

Anil Bajnath | Tampa Fire Rescue
Nominated by: Shaniquia Weldon
Why they deserve the spotlight:
When I started at TFR I wasn't sure if I was going to make it. Not being from the area, I was having some challenges with territories — which was important to know in order to succeed at the job. After being there for 4 months, I went to Anil as a trainee. He noticed my challenge with knowing the area, and immediately started finding ways to help me get better. By doing this, not only did it help me become better at the job, it also helped me build confidence. By the time I was done training with him, I was 100% confident in my ability to be an effective 911 dispatcher. I was Anil's first trainee, and I'm sure whoever he gets after me will be fully equipped for the task ahead.

Andrew Bradbury | St. Charles City Police Department
Nominated by: Wyatt Welch
Why they deserve the spotlight:
He is the brains of my dispatch shift — he is there for ANY question to be answered. As a lead, he goes above and beyond to guide his new peers with obstacles they will overcome and is always patient with everyone. He is overall a great lead and I am glad he is here to help!

Montana Boggess | Jackson County Communications Center
Nominated by: Harley Jeffries
Why they deserve the spotlight:
Montana is our 911 Director, and she deserves recognition for going above and beyond for all of us and the center. If we need anything, if anything needs to be done, she does not hesitate. She will work her job and her own duties, along with working the console if she needs to — and as someone as busy as her, that isn't simple. But she manages everything on her plate and takes on anything.

Roshunda Jones | HCSO
Nominated by: Anonymous
Why they deserve the spotlight:
She is a walking resource of information who does a great job.

K'Yani Gross | Dothan Police Department
Nominated by: Rakiyyah Ben
Why they deserve the spotlight:
K'yani is being nominated for her outstanding positive attitude in the workplace, especially when under pressure. She keeps an upbeat attitude and tends to make everyone laugh or smile! She handles the Fire Department radio like a Pro while also assisting with other tasks. K'yani treats everyone with respect and welcomes new comers with open arms. I appreciate K'yani for being the loving, positive person she is!

John DeForest | Springfield Emergency Communications
Nominated by: Jennifer Hill
Why they deserve the spotlight:
As a Telecommunicator II/CTO II, TC DeForest goes above and beyond every day for his team at the SEC. In preparation for NPSTW, TC DeForest started planning months ago to ensure his team would have the best week possible with the most support from local vendors and businesses. TC DeForest takes added initiative to prepare gifts and meals for his team without being asked. As a team member of MA TERT, he goes above and beyond in attending as many training sessions, meetings, and deployments as possible — always considering other team members who may not be able to attend without transportation. John is an example of all things public safety: teamwork, dedication, loyalty, and family.

Kyley Magargee | Centre County 911
Nominated by: Michael Pletcher
Why they deserve the spotlight:
I am nominating Kyley because she goes above and beyond for everyone here at the 911 center. She goes beyond her role as a Training Supervisor — she has become Mrs. Fix-it, knowing how to fix broken things and make wrong things right. She puts a lot of time and effort into her job and making sure that we are knowledgeable about all aspects of our work. The latest thing she has taught me is that Prepared has a function where you can see caller information, which has been incredibly beneficial for our open line callers who are in distress and cannot give us good information. Kyley has been a great coworker to have around and is fun to work with!

Brooklyn Teal | Daviess County Central Dispatch
Nominated by: Korena Teal
Why they deserve the spotlight:
Brooklyn Teal is awesome at her job — sweet and informative when on the phone and radio. She responded well and held composure for an active shooting with multiple family members communicating with her on the phone while attempting to hide from the gunman. Brooklyn also came into her neighboring dispatch center when they took over a second CAD system for another law enforcement agency, helping to teach the FLEX CAD system to some of their night shift dispatchers. Recently, Brooklyn became an EMT and is working a second job with Knox County's EMS service, Good Samaritan EMS, on her days off.

April Lanning | Barren-Metcalfe Emergency Communications Center
Nominated by: Julie Greer
Why they deserve the spotlight:
The reason I'm nominating April is because she is a fun, loving, caring person and really does well at her job. Just recently she was diagnosed with cancer and has had a very rough time with it. She went through chemo and then had surgery and has been off for a few weeks — and it's really got her down because she can't be at her job. I was thinking maybe this would be something uplifting and positive for her as she goes through her journey. Thank you for your consideration.

Kristy Hooper | Huntsville Police Department
Nominated by: Sgt. Dana Springfield
Why they deserve the spotlight:
Kristy truly deserves recognition for her unwavering dedication, leadership, and compassion to her profession. With nearly 24 years of experience — reaching this milestone in November — Kristy has built an incredible legacy of service and professionalism, and her upcoming retirement at the end of the year makes this recognition even more meaningful.

Kristy has served in every position at Huntsville Police Dispatch: Dispatcher, CTO, Designee Supervisor, and Supervisor. When HPD Dispatch got down to only 9 dispatchers in 2023 — budgeted for 36 — she managed the major manpower shortage, training new dispatchers and scheduling overtime while simultaneously working the radio.

During a vehicle pursuit that extended well past the end of her shift, Kristy remained calm and focused throughout, skillfully managing a highly busy radio and ensuring every officer's request was acknowledged. On March 28, 2023, when two Huntsville Police Officers were shot in the line of duty, Kristy was already on her way home — but upon hearing the news, she immediately turned around and rushed back to the 911 Center, where her supervisor arrived to find her leading and managing the other dispatchers during the crisis.

On April 3, 2023, Dispatch Supervisor Kristy Hooper volunteered to dispatch the Final Roll Call for fallen Officer Garrett Crumby at his funeral — delivering the call with a calm and professional voice that moved an entire church to tears. On March 18, 2024, she expertly managed radio communications during an Active Shooter call at Alabama A&M University, coordinating multiple law enforcement agencies until the subject was taken into custody.

Kristy has twice been awarded the Huntsville Police Department Administration Bureau's Employee of the Year, received two Outstanding Unit Citation Awards, six Good Conduct Awards, multiple Commendations and Letters of Appreciation, and an Academic Achievement Award. Her 24-year commitment to her profession, her employees, her officers, and her citizens has left a lasting impact on everyone she encounters.

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Thank you to each of these telecommunicators, their nominators, for their remarkable service to their communities. Today and every day, we honor you!