Atchison County 911 was recently nominated for the Missouri Association of Public Safety Communications Officials Tote of Hope. Accepting the Tote of Hope are, from left to right: front row – Michele Pfeil, Candis Stanton, and Becky Hogue; and back row – Taylor Stanton, Mark Manchester, and Rhonda Wiley. (Atchison County Missouri 911/Emergency Management photo and story)

Since Mother’s Day weekend, Atchison County has experienced devastating loss and had other horrific incidents occur throughout our communities. In a county where everyone knows everyone, the traumatic toll it takes on first responders who live and work within the communities they serve can be and is overwhelming at times. It can sometimes even be career ending. 911 dispatchers are now recognized as the “first” first responder on scene; the “first” person to help in what is often the worst situation the caller will ever face in their lifetime.

Atchison County 911 was recently nominated for the Missouri Association of Public Safety Communications Officials (MOAPCO) Tote of Hope. Atchison County 911 was nominated by Brent Blackburn at Cameron PD to receive the tote due to the difficult 911 calls that have occurred recently. Saralyn Hayes (9-1-1 Manager, Mid-America Regional Council) delivered the Tote of Hope to Atchison County June 28. The Tote of Hope is stuffed full of goodies, games, and even coloring books. On the outside of the tote, it read:

“The Missouri Asso-ci-a-tion of Public Safety Com-munications Officials (MOAPCO) would like to thank you for what you do every day and let you know that we care about you and are thinking of you.”

“The team at Atchison County 911 is proud to serve their communities during these difficult times. We thank MOAPCO for the Tote of Hope and will gladly pay it forward to the next 911 center who could use a little extra encouragement during a difficult time,” stated Rhonda Wiley, Atchison County EMA/911 Director.