Telecommunicator week will be upon us shortly.
The second full week of April each year is set aside to recognize the HEROES with a calm voice. This year it is from April 13th throughout April 19th. On Aug. 28, 2023, Gov. Mike Parson signed Senate Bill 24 into law. Reclassifying dispatchers from clerical to First Responders. Texas County is home to some of the finest First Responders ever to sit under the headset. I would like to take this opportunity to introduce and highlight them.
Steven (Tyler)
Steven started on July 7, 2016. He currently serves as Dispatch Supervisor and CTO. One of his favorite aspects of this career is the schedule flexibility. His advice to anyone entering this career is to stick to it, training is never complete as every day is a learning experience. When Steven is not at work, he enjoys spending time with family and adores being called ‘Uncle’ by his nephew Elliot. When relaxing at home he makes sure to give plenty of attention to his cat Jinx and dog Aspen. He gives credit to his parents and four sisters for being his biggest supporters in life.
Brad
Brad began his career by chance on June 14, 2021. He walked in just to ask a question, before he left, he had an application. Over the years he has become an experienced dispatcher. Recently he started to learn how to do addressing and mapping. He enjoys learning this new skill, citing that one can never have too many skills in their toolbox. Time spent at home is his favorite down time enjoying a nice meal with his significant other, Jimmy and their pets, Remington, Jade, and Corduroy. Throughout his life Brad gives credit to his biggest supporters; his parents, for he would not be who he is without them. Also, his grandparents, Gary and Peggy, no matter the distance they have never wavered in supporting him in reaching his goals.
Josh
Josh’s career began on July 29, 2020. Beginning as a dispatcher throughout his career he has added TAC Officer to his duties. Being a dispatcher is one of the most rewarding careers he has enjoyed. He often tells new dispatchers to just be patient when the good and bad calls come. That a normal day for dispatch is usually someone else’s worst day. He is usually heard answering the call during the day or evening, recently deciding to experience the midnight shift. Family is his priority; free time is spent with his wife, Lisa and their four children, Alina, McKenna, Tucker and Remi.
Zach
Zach began his career on Nov. 17, 2021. He is one of the dedicated midnight shifters. One of his exciting achievements with this career is that he was able to walk a family through childbirth not long ago. This had a special meaning for him because not long after this call he found out that he himself was going to be a father! He enjoys being able to help many people at various times in this career. But being able to collaborate with great coworkers that have turned into friends is the best yet. One piece of advice he gives to new dispatchers is to get a good sleep schedule and try to stick to it.
Myrissa
Myrissa began her career on June 29, 2022. Over the past years she has become an experienced dispatcher with thousands of calls. She is the head of the beautifying committee and does an excellent job of keeping our spirits high. One thing she would like to share with new dispatchers is to be patient. Having the chance to enjoy one of her special meals; Chinese food, steak or pasta is a bonus. She is an avid photographer in hopes that this becomes more than a hobby one day. She credits her family and friends as being her biggest supporters, especially her husband Officer Wink.
Erin
Erin began her career on Nov. 30, 2022. Quickly learning all the aspects put in front of her, she excelled. Last year she earned the title of CTO. One of her favorite parts of this career is the busy days. The advice she gives is that it gets easier, it can be overwhelming at first but stick with it. She credits her parents for always being there to support her and push her toward her achievements and her boyfriend, Officer Flores, for all the up and down moments. With them both being first responders, it truly helps to have someone that understands the good and bad.
Tyler
Tyler began his career on Jan. 15, 2024. He has only been here for just over one year. However, this year he has completed big strides. One of the favorite parts of this career is helping the community in so many ways of which he was not aware. His steady, calm, booming, voice is always a welcome presence. Within his first year he was able to experience a variety of calls, one of the most rewarding was talking to a family through childbirth. When he is not answering calls, he enjoys having a nice pizza and spending time with Clyde, his three-legged cat. [Clyde does not make right turns.] He credits his parents for always supporting him through all paths he has taken.
Cassidy
Cassidy is one of the newest dispatchers, beginning her career on Jan. 29, 2025. She has shined in training, recently being put on the schedule. In her brief time span she says the chance to get to help others is the favorite part. The advice she would give anyone starting out is to be confident in all your actions, your trainers/coworkers will be there to help every step. Going through training and taking calls on her own to provide assistance, has been two of her greatest accomplishments thus far. When she is not on duty she spends time with her husband, Aric, son Aceton and their pets Shadow and Miss Kitty. She has an interesting ability to write fully upside down. Her biggest supporter is her husband, he is always there for whatever endeavor she may want to experience.
Francine
Francine is also one of our newest dispatchers, beginning her career on Jan. 29, 2025. She shared that one of her biggest accomplishments so far is just getting through the interview and while still in training she has gained so much knowledge that the public may not always consider. Advice she has taken and would share is to just breathe. When she is not under the headset she enjoys scrapbooking and collecting rocks and more than anything else spending time with her grandson, Leo. She gives credit to her son and daughter-in-law for supporting her decisions and believing in her.
Terra
I began my career here in Texas County in 1998. Throughout the years there have been many great dispatchers that have touched uncountable lives. They possess a skill that most would not understand. There have never been two calls the same. They are able to take information from callers that may be in hysterics or just don’t know what to say. Talk to the caller, calm them down and ask the needed questions while dispatching field responders. Within the same breath providing lifesaving instructions. From their voice alone they are able to take control of any situation while painting a descriptive scene for field responders. They never know what will be on the other end of the line until they say those welcoming words … “9-1-1, Where is your emergency?”
One of the common denominators for every first responder is a strong, understanding, support system. This is true for home and work. The dedication to the career and each other these dispatchers have is unmatched.
On behalf of Texas County 9-1-1 I would like to say THANK YOU to all that continue to support these unseen heroes with the calm voice in the dark.
The Texas County Emergency Services office in Houston is funded by a 3/8-cent countywide sales tax approved by voters in 2013. Director Terra Culley can be reached by phone at 417-967-5309 or by email at terraculley911@hotmail.com.