Behind the Call

We are welcoming two new trainees to our PSC Family, Jennifer and Spencer! We are excited to have you both as a part of our team, and we look forward to seeing you grow as TCO's.

We would like to welcome the newest member of PSC's Technical Services Team, Devyn. We are thankful for the experience he brings and look forward to seeing him grow in his role here.

Contributor: Veronica Gardea

Hello 911 Dispatch Team,

As we step into a new year, I want to take a moment to recognize the incredible work each of you does every day. Your professionalism, resilience, and commitment to serving our community—often under intense pressure—do not go unnoticed. You are truly the calm voice in moments that matter most, and we are deeply grateful for your dedication.

We are also excited to share some positive news as we move forward. We have successfully hired seven new dispatchers, a major step in strengthening our team and supporting the essential work you do. As these new team members complete training and transition into active roles, we anticipate a noticeable reduction in overtime hours. Our goal is to promote a healthier work-life balance while maintaining the high level of service our community depends on.

The new year brings renewed energy, new faces, and new opportunities to grow together. Your experience and teamwork will play a vital role in mentoring our new dispatchers and continuing to build a strong, supportive communications center.

Thank you again for your unwavering commitment, compassion, and professionalism. We look forward to another year of working together, supporting one another, and continuing to make a meaningful difference—one call at a time.

Wishing you a safe, healthy, and successful new year.

With sincere appreciation,

Veronica

Contributor: Ruth Shear

Dear Community Partners,

I hope this message finds you well. With April upon us, we are thrilled to celebrate 911 Education Month, a dedicated time for enhancing public awareness about the crucial role of 911 services in our community. This initiative serves as a valuable reminder of how being prepared to communicate effectively during emergencies can save precious seconds and lives.

The significance of 911 Education Month cannot be overstated. In moments of crisis, every second counts. By educating our community, we empower individuals to respond promptly and accurately, ensuring the safety and well-being of themselves and those around them. Knowing how to effectively interact with 911 telecommunicators can make a critical difference.

To help our community members become more familiar with the 911 system, we offer a range of free public services throughout the month of April and beyond. These initiatives are designed to reach all ages and demographics, ensuring everyone has the knowledge and confidence to call 911 when needed. Our services include:

1. Classroom Visits: Our trained professionals will visit local schools to teach students about the 911 process, helping them understand when and how to make an emergency call.

2. Homeschool Facility Visits: We extend our educational resources to homeschool groups, ensuring that all children have access to this critical information.

3. Senior Community Visits: Understanding that seniors may face unique challenges during emergencies, we offer tailored sessions to educate them on the nuances of calling 911 for assistance.

4. Resource Handout Booths: Set up at local events and public spaces, where you can pick up informative materials on how to effectively use 911 services.

5. 911 Story Time: Engaging story sessions for young children that introduce the concept of emergency services in a fun and interactive manner.

We invite schools, businesses, and organizations to participate in these free educational opportunities. By scheduling a visit or by having us attend your event, you not only enhance your own understanding but also contribute to the overall safety and preparedness of our community. We offer programs tailored for students, parents, educators, and seniors.

To book a visit or for more information on specific dates, times, and locations of these services, please contact ruth.shear@yorkcountysc.gov. We look forward to collaborating with you to make our community safer and more informed.

Thank you for your support and commitment to community safety.

Warm regards,

Ruth Shear
Information & Public Safety Education Coordinator
803-817-6312

Contributor: Cheryl Norman

CALEA

York County Public Safety Communications is currently in the process of completing the Commission of Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA) Year 2 evaluation. This process takes place over 4 years with Year 4 being an on-site visit. The Web-based assessment will take place March 20-28th. Over the last year, the Professional Standards team has collected the proofs needed to complete the assessment and are currently uploading them to the PowerDMS website. It is estimated that 85% of this process is completed.

FOIA

Freedom of Information Act is available to all responders and the general public.

Responders should email psc@yorkcountysc.gov and include the Call for Service or Report number as well as the date, time and exact information needed. (such as radio traffic, phone calls)

The York County Manager’s office is changing their FOIA request process. A new website will be implemented, and all requests will be processed through the Just FOIA website.

The public will need to request information using this link starting January 26th.

In 2025, over 350 FOIA requests were processed by the Professional Standards Division.

The Professional Standards Division would like to wish Carlton a speedy recovery.

Contributor: Carina Cordova

We would love to welcome and introduce you to the newest member of our PSC Technical Team, Devyn Fox. Here is a little bit about Devyn and his background and experience, that we believe will bring a strong addition to our center.

BACKGROUND:
AIR FORCE for 6 years – Electrical & Environmental Systems Craftsman.
Devyn has traveled militarily to Kuwait, Afghanistan, Greenland, Northern Ireland, Greece, Scotland, and Canada.

FAA – Airway Transportation Systems Specialist – Communications Technician

HOBBIES:
Outdoor activities such as hunting, fishing, camping, hiking, football, basketball

FAMILY:
Married to his beautiful wife and expecting their first child due in July

TCO Week is coming soon! This is a time for us to recognize our 911 Teams for their dedication and work as first, first responders. Every year this celebration is made possible due to the generosity of our community members. Our TCO's feel the love and are truly thankful for the way our York County steps up to celebrate them. To learn more about this week, or if you would like to contribute to our celebration, check out the attachments to learn more! As always, we are grateful for the community we serve.

We have kept our trainees busy!

Above: they are on a landmark scavenger hunt that will help them to quickly understand the location of an emergency call and relay accurate information to emergency responders.

Below: they are learning CPR and first aid, which is crucial for them, as it helps guide callers through life-saving steps, calms them down, and builds trust in emergency services.