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Kingsport Police Department
David Quillin, Chief of Police 200 Shelby Street • Kingsport, TN 37660 |
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NEWS RELEASE | ||||
SUBJECT: | The City of Kingsport is Currently Accepting Applications for Communications Specialists in Kingsport Central Dispatch | |||
DATE: | July 20, 2017 | |||
GENERAL NARRATIVE | ||||
The City of Kingsport is currently accepting applications for the position of Communications Specialists to serve in Kingsport Central Dispatch. Communications Specialists, also known as Dispatchers, are the calm, yet highly trained, voice on the phone whenever a citizen calls 9-1-1 to report an emergency.
Applications are being accepted through Sunday, July 30, 2017. All applications must be submitted online by visiting the following link: The Communications Specialists of Kingsport Central Dispatch process roughly a quarter of a million telephone calls annually. Approximately twenty percent (50,000) of these calls are emergency calls to 9-1-1. Although a division of the Kingsport Police Department, Kingsport Central Dispatch also provides services for the Kingsport Fire Department, Sullivan County E.M.S., Kingsport Life Saving Crew, and other city departments and functions. Kingsport Central Dispatch moved into the current 7,500 square foot, state-of-the-art, 9-1-1 Emergency Communications Center in Downtown Kingsport in October 2015. Central Dispatch had previously been housed in a cramped 1,000 square foot space on the second floor of the Kingsport Justice Center since 1989. Prior to that, Central Dispatch operated out of the basement of the Civic Auditorium. Kingsport Central Dispatch personnel serve under the supervision of the 9-1-1 Director, Lieutenant Steve Hammonds, and include a Communications Supervisor, a Technical Services Coordinator, 4 Shift Leaders, and more than a dozen Communications Specialists, all of whom are Emergency Medical Dispatch (EMD) certified.
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RELEASING OFFICER | ||
Thomas M. Patton, Public Information Officer
Kingsport Police Department Professional Standards Unit 423-229-9433 (Desk) • 423-224-2786 (FAX) ThomasMPatton |
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Lindsey Halker is a frequent visitor at the Kingsport Carousel. She obsessed about riding each carousel animal until she had eventually ridden every single one! Once she completed riding them all, she bought her ‘I Rode ‘Em All’ t-shirt from the carousel gift shop.
The Kingsport Carousel is a volunteer-led project completed in 2015. Over 300 volunteers worked over 5 years to hand-carve and hand-paint platform and sweep animals for the working 1956 vintage Herschell carousel. Since opening in July 2015 the Carousel has hosted over 160,000 riders. The Carousel is open to the public year-round and summer hours are 11:00 to 7:00 Wednesday through Friday and 1:00 to 7:00 on Saturday and Sunday. All rides are $1. Birthday and private parties start at $100 and can be booked by calling 423-392-8418.
For more information, please visit www.engagekingsport.com or call 423-392-8418.
Lindsey Halker with Beaufort, a carousel animal sponsored by Cherry Point Animal Hospital.
Ever since he was healthy enough to be outside, Creed has had a fascination with his city’s garbage truck and driver, Rodney Dye. Every week, Rodney comes by his house and it’s a dream come true for the young survivor.
Rodney is a Kingsport Public Works employee with more than 17 years on the job. Over the years, he’s met some amazing people, but none as incredible as Creed.
Creed has many health issues, including heart problems. He’s had numerous operations and even though he won’t ever live a ‘normal’ life, he has one thing worth watching for – and that’s the weekly appearance of Rodney in his Kingsport garbage truck.
After Rodney noticed Creed every week, he started waving and stopping to visit with the young boy. As luck has it, Rodney and Creed’s grandmother attend the same local church where she was able to tell Rodney just how much it meant to him to stop at Creed’s house.
Rodney took this information to heart. He wanted to enhance Creed’s life the best way he knew how – get Creed in the driver’s seat of a garbage truck. This came true at the Kingsport Public Works Day. Public Works Day is held every year in the city of Kingsport and it’s an opportunity for the public to get up close with all the equipment the department uses, such as street sweepers, snow plows, bucket trucks and yes, garbage trucks.
Creed and his family arrived at the event and Creed instantly wanted Rodney to be the one to push him around in his big kid stroller.
The group made their way around the event, looking at all the machines and equipment, but Creed perked up and pointed to the garbage truck when it came into view. Rodney helped him climb into the driver’s seat. The instant Creed sat down, it was all smiles and laughs and screeches of excitement.
Creed pulled on levers. He pushed all the buttons he could reach. He pressed the petals as many times as he could. He even honked the horn, but only once because it was so loud. His smile fantasizing about having his own garbage truck one day was contagious – everyone around him, family and strangers, could see just how happy this young boy was living his dream.
Rodney eventually helped him out of the truck. Creed was exhausted and his family was ready to take him home.
Every week, Creed gets to watch for Rodney and in turn, Rodney gives this young boy a reason to watch for him.
For Rodney’s original story, please visit here. To learn more about Creed’s incredible journey, please visit Creed’s Mending Heart on Facebook.
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Interested in what’s on the Board of Mayor & Aldermen agenda? Sign up for our BMA Highlights.
Paying your utility, miscellaneous receivables bill or building permits payment has never been easier! Click the link below to be directed to Click2Gov, the online payment system that allows users to view their account and pay with a credit or debit card through the secure website.
Pay your red light citation bill online by clicking the button below. You will be redirected to the payment page.
Pay Water (Utility) Bill
Pay Red Light Citation
Pay City Court Citation
Pay Other Receivables
Online Tax Payments
Building Permit Payments
To report a non-emergency, please use the new ConnectKingsport app.
You can also use the app to find information about the City of Kingsport with links to the city website, animal services, ongoing events and more. Download the free app today to be a part of making Kingsport a great place to live, work and play!
To download the free app, please search for it on the Apple App Store or on Google Play. You can also use the online portal below.
Please note that the use of ConnectKingsport is intended for the reporting of non-emergency issues only. If you need immediate Police or Fire response, please call 911.
Download on the Apple App Store
Download on the Google Play Store
Online Portal