JOHNSON COUNTY — Over the last four years, one 911 center's director's idea has grown to help other dispatchers across the state.
911 dispatchers are among the first to know a crisis is unfolding — like the Greenwood Park Mall mass shooting.
PREVIOUS: Johnson County dispatchers still processing after Greenwood mass shooting
That tragedy, like many others, binds the trained telecommunicators who take the critical calls responding to emergencies.
"We have a tight knit group here in Indiana when it comes to 911 centers," Heath Brant, Johnson County 911 Executive Director, said.
In 2018, the death of three kids at a school bus stop led to 911 dispatchers in Fulton County receiving packages and letters from around the country.
Gail Karas, the 911 center director in Fulton County, created one caring tote. There are now four containers that are filled with snacks. The containers travel across the state to show dispatchers they are not alone.
In the past 18 moths, the tote has made 13 stops in 11 separate counties.
The most recent stop was in Madison County where dispatchers handled the calls following the death of Elwood Police Officer Noah Shahnavaz.
"There's a tragic incident that happens and they know how stressful it is on the dispatchers," Brant said. "This is just one way we can support each other."
Johnson County, which had the tote before Madison County, refilled it and made sure the tradition made it to its next destination.
-
‘13 FIRES’: One family’s story of resilience amid turmoil along Indiana Avenue
“13 FIRES” by Curtis K. Rogers tells the story of one family's resiliency while living along Indiana Avenue in 1956.
Dominated by No.2 Ohio State for years, No. 5 Indiana has a chance for payback
If Indiana beats Ohio State and closes out the season with a win over Purdue, the Hoosiers will be in the Big Ten championship for the first time since the inception of the game in 2011.
Preparing for the political chatter around the table on Thanksgiving
IU psychology professor Edward Hirt offers insight on navigating through this first big family get-together, since an historic and polarizing election.
No. 16 Indiana remains unbeaten with 69-58 win over UNC Greensboro
Myles Rice scored 14 of his 20 points in the first half, freshman Bryson Tucker finished with a season-high 14 and No. 16 Indiana got past UNC Greensboro 69-58 on Thursday night.
