Youth, Dispatchers Honored at 9-1-1 for Kids Ceremony

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In recognition of National 9-1-1 Education Month in April, the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) joined 9-1-1 for Kids in recognizing three youth and three dispatchers for exemplary service during an emergency.

Dispatchers Roxanna Vargas (CHP Chico Communications Center), Chrissy Stockman (Folsom Police Department) and Jaime Schick (CHP Stockton Communications Center), along with youth heroes Ella Brown, Emma Evans and Lawson Glover, were honored during a ceremony at the State Capitol in Sacramento.

The 9-1-1 Heroes program, which was established in 1999, recognizes heroic youth who called 9-1-1 to save a life or property or to report a crime. Nominated by public safety answering points (PSAP or also known as 9-1-1 dispatch centers), these heroic young adults used the 9-1-1 system to relay vital information to emergency personnel.

“9-1-1 for Kids is really an opportunity to not only train people on how to use the 9-1-1 system, but also recognize the work of emergency dispatchers and those who call 9-1-1. It’s important our youth have the necessary knowledge on how to use 9-1-1 so they can make a difference within their family and community,” said Cal OES Director Mark Ghilarducci.

Hundreds of young adults throughout the nation have been recognized for their 9-1-1 heroism since the program’s inception. Aside from honoring heroic acts of youth and dispatchers, the purpose of the 9-1-1 Heroes Program is to stress the importance of critical emergency preparedness and response procedures.