The Oklahoma 911 Management Authority, in partnership with the Oklahoma Chapter of the Association of Public-Safety Communications (APCO) are working together to honor those working in the 911 operations field.

The chosen nominee for the Oklahoma Chapter of the APCO’s Emergency Telecommunicator Award is Jana Robinette of the Garfield County 911 center. She was nominated by Patty Thompson, director of the Kingfisher County 911 center.

The purpose of the award is to continually shine a light on 911 dispatchers, call takers, coordinators, managers and directors who are going above and beyond their duty to improve 911 and their 911 environment.

Robinette dispatched for the Hennessey Police Department before transferring to Kingfisher County 911 in 2014, where she dispatched for seven fire departments, three police departments, the sheriff’s office and three EMS agencies.

In 2016 Robinette was promoted to the assistant director, taking on the responsibility of the entire communication center while assisting the director.

Thompson said Robinette has a “strong desire to learn, sitting in on extra training opportunities even though she is a certified trainer.”

Thompson also praised Robinette’s ability to train new employees, not only guiding them through the material, but helping them gain an understanding of what it takes to be a dispatcher through difficult and stressful situations.

“Jana is truly a model dispatcher whose dedication to education will be appreciated for years to come,” Thompson said.

When asked to describe Robinette’s work ethic during a difficult call, Thompson shared how Robinette kept her composure and professionalism throughout a call for a possible drowning of a child.

The person who called for help was a close friend of hers and someone she knew well. The child did not survive, but she did not break her stance for a moment, while on the call or after, according to Thompson.

Robinette said she feels her true calling is being a 911 dispatcher.

Her goals are “to continue to grow as a trainer, becoming more involved in management and leadership,” she said.

She shares her time with various community organizations like Oklahoma APCO, and the Oklahoma Chapter of the National Emergency Number Association (OklaNENA).

She attributes her success to continual open communications with those she works with and dispatches to.

Robinette was invited to attend the February regular board meeting of the Oklahoma 911 Management Authority, to be presented with the Emergency Telecommunicator of the Quarter for the third quarter of 2018.

Benjamin Curry, president of the Oklahoma Chapter of APCO, presented her with a certificate and an Oklahoma-shaped award.

Sen. Roland Pederson, R-Burlington, who represents District 19, presented Robinette with a formal proclamation to honor her nomination and hard work.