Thomas Named Upper Cumberland 911 Dispatcher of the Year

The 2016 Upper Cumberland 911 Dispatcher of the Year Award goes to Tony Thomas of DeKalb County
Thomas, an employee of the DeKalb County Emergency Communications District (Central Dispatch/911 Center) recently received the award for his outstanding performance during two events that both involved assisting in the life saving efforts of multiple children in DeKalb County responses.
The award reads “The Upper Cumberland 911 Directors awards you for your outstanding service to DeKalb County and the Upper Cumberland Region. We would like to thank you for your outstanding service and devotion to our profession.”
Thomas was nominated for the award by Brad Mullinax, Director of the DeKalb ECD.
“For this year’s dispatcher of the year award, DeKalb County would like to nominate Mr. Tony Thomas with DeKalb County 911. Tony has been employed with DeKalb County 911 for the last 12 years. He has served as Supervisor, TAC, Alt TAC and addressing coordinator for our agency. He always goes above and beyond the call of duty to help do anything that I ask him to do. Additionally, I routinely receive compliments on Tony from the general public on how well he does his job and how professional he sounds on the radio,” wrote Mullinax in making the nomination.
“In addition, he has been involved in two recent incidents in which his actions helped save the lives of many in our county. First, Tony and his partner were recognized as part of the State of Tennessee “Star of Life” award winner for the entire State of Tennessee on May 5 2016. The actions of everyone involved, including Tony, helped save the life of a severely injured eight year old boy in June of 2015. Secondly, and more recently, Tony was on shift and part of another award winning incident in August of 2016. This incident occurred in rural DeKalb County and involved a multi-injury accident involving three children that were all air lifted by multiple aircraft to Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital. This event also recently received the Upper Cumberland 2016 “Call of the Year” award. He is known for being able to maintain his composure and the accuracy of his work. I am very proud that he is a part of our agency,” Mullinax continued.
“Many times the efforts of the silent heroes go un-recognized in these type events. The heroic efforts of Tony and many others in our field play an important role in the outcome of the event. Therefore, I would like to recognize and formally nominate Tony for the 2016 Upper Cumberland 911 Director’s Dispatcher of the Year,” concluded Mullinax.