On October 25-26, 2006 the Association Of Public-Safety Communications Officials (APCO) members, President: Brenda Gowdy, Media-Director: Tanya Mayo and Vice-President: Steve Caygle, went to the coast to visit the eleven different counties that were affected by the hurricane. It’s hard to believe that a year has passed since Hurricane Katrina ravaged the Mississippi Gulf Coast. In that time we have seen lives changed greatly, and our losses continue today from this one tragedy.

But in those first terrible hours, we also saw the first-hand, the dedication and determination and compassion of some of the South’s greatest communications. From 911 centers to local dispatch agencies, our professionals hung in there and saved lives and property while they to were suffering great personal losses. In those dark times, we were clearly shown just how important the work of our emergency telecommunicators is, and just how dedicated they are to serving the public.

The APCO-MS Chapter presented each center with a visa gift card valued at $300.00 each, so each center may purchase any extra supplies they may need. As we were visiting with the dispatchers working the day of our visits, they were telling us different stories of how they dealt with all the calls and mass destruction, of their city and community. Several of the agencies were in total lockdown unable to send any help due to the severity of the storm. One dispatcher was asked when the storm was over what did you do or where did you go? His response was they had us in total lock down for 12 days, we stayed at the jail and drank water and ate crackers for several days until they could get food to us. He said they didn’t mind that they could not leave, because they had nowhere to go, their homes were destroyed in the storm. Everything they had was gone.

The hard work and long hours our telecommunicators put in, often at great personal risk to themselves, prove that our state has some of the best emergency services professionals in the nation. The Mississippi Chapter of APCO has never been more proud of our telecommunicators, and applauds your selfless efforts towards public safety. Your work has become a shining light of inspiration for all telecommunicators all over the United States. The APCO-MS Chapter and APCO International would like to personally thank everyone for a job well done, overall dedication to the field of public safety. You will always be in our thoughts and prayers.

The eleven counties visited on October 25 & 26, 2006 are listed as follows, with the presentations of the gift cards.