The National Day of Lifeguards is celebrated across the river

HENDERSON, Ky. (WEHT) – The national holiday was first recognized by Congress in 2017.

The idea is to celebrate those who serve their communities every day, in front of and behind the scenes.

Most people think of a police officer, firefighter, or paramedic when they hear the name “First Responder,” but often the first responder is the 911 dispatcher.

Jordan Webb is the Henderson County 911 director.

Webb says, “We’re the first step in getting you help, we provide emergency medical care, and it’s the first opportunity to help save a life.”

The national holiday honors all first responders, but Vanderburgh County Sheriff Noah Robinson says dispatchers are the unsung heroes.

Robinson says, “Often overlooked are our dispatchers, our brave callers as we call them. Who has been there, remaining 911 consoles and dealing with the trauma first hand. I mean people call the control room when they are at their worst. The worst day of their life, you know, the dispatcher has to stay cool, calm and dispassionate, extracting the necessary information so that firefighters, sheriff’s deputies and police officers can respond to the scene and know what they’re getting into.”

Jordan Webb works with his team in Henderson to make sure a person gets the help they need on their worst day.

Webb says, “We can help you perform CPR over the phone. We bring in the first specialists to help you find out. Keep you safe until the cops get there, whether it’s with instructions that just remind you to know that as long as your adrenaline is high, we’ll help you secure the scene until the cops get there. Ask vital questions to help them find a suspect so we can play an important role in emergency response.”

Despite being on opposite sides of the river, both recognize the importance of each other’s work as they work together to serve the communities of Vanderburgh and Henderson County.

President Joe Biden made a proclamation today saying that our first responders are the best of us.

The proclamation refers to police officers, sheriff’s deputies, 911 dispatchers and emergency personnel.

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