COMMUNITY
911 Center always ready to respond By TAYLOR BECK tbeck@covnews.com
When there’s an emergency, we’re taught to immediately call 911. Today, if residents of Newton County are in a dire situation, they can dial the three-digit number and, without fail, a local dispatcher will answer the call and do his or her best to meet the need. But 911 hasn’t always been around. In Newton County, the first 911 call was made Aug. 28, 1989, but before that day, residents had to call their respective police or fire departments any time they needed immediate assistance. Since the center was established more than three decades ago, Covington-Newton County 911 has served as the sole answering point for the county, dispatching calls for agencies such as the Newton County Sheriff’s Office, Covington Police Department, Covington Marshal’s Office, Newton County Animal Control, Oxford Police, Porterdale
Moving Forward!
Newton County Bicentennial Service Days: District 2 Cleanup • Saturday, May 15 at Denny Dobbs Park District 3 Cleanup • Saturday, June 12 at the NCSO Westside Precinct District 4 Cleanup • Saturday, September 18 District 5 Cleanup • Saturday, October 16 Rivers Alive! • Saturday, September 25 Paper Shred Event • Monday, November 15 Adopt-a-Mile • 4 times per year, any time – participants choose dates Environmental education programs, puppet shows, and demonstrations about litter prevention, water pollution prevention, waste reduction and recycling, and other topics custom-tailored for your group – available upon request, provided free of charge. For Event Details and More Information: www.keepnewtonbeautiful.org newtonclean@co.newton.ga.us 770-784-2015 40 VISIONS
A Covington-Newton County 911 dispatcher answers a call. (Taylor Beck | The News)
Police, Covington Fire, Newton County Fire and Piedmont/Newton EMS. The center also works closely with the Georgia State Patrol, Georgia Bureau of Investigations and the Newton County District Attorney’s Office. Covington-Newton County 911 Director Trudy Henry said the role of the 911 center and its dispatchers is more important than most people realize. She described being a dispatcher as a thankless position that often goes overlooked. “We’re the one you’re going to call on your worst day,” Henry said. Though the job description might sound easy, working as a dispatcher can be quite difficult. “It can take a mental toll on you, for sure,” said Henry, who has worked within the 911 center for 26 years. She was appointed director in 2019. “When you take those calls, most of the time you don’t ever get to know the end result,” she added. “You don’t get the closure, and that can be tough sometimes, depending on the situation.” In 2020, the center reportedly received a total
DeAnn Ellis Loan Officer | NMLS 148916 770.616.8042 | 1.855.ELEMENT 1108 Clark St. SW Covington, GA 30014 deannellis@element funding.com www.ellismortgageteam.com THE COVINGTON NEWS
