Habersham County E-911 Staffers receive State Awards

Habersham County E-911 brought home top awards at last week’s Georgia Emergency Communications Conference in Athens. Director Lynn Smith received the Communications Director of the Year Award. That award is presented to the individual who performs the duties of the director, and it recognizes accomplishments in encouraging, motivating, and supporting employees. Habersham County Radio Systems Administrator Tom Priddy received the Leadership in Service Award. That award is presented to an individual employed within the Communications Center in recognition of his or her outstanding service and dedication to the agency. This may be awarded to the radio technician, CAD manager, addressing/MSAG manager, or any other support position in which the individual has played a significant role in the enhancement and improvement to the operations of the center. Kenny Williams, Summer Anderson, Liberty Garrett, Peyton Myers, Nadia Newsome and Tasha Salas were named Communications Team of the Year. That award is presented to a group of two or more communications officers for their exemplary handling of a specific 9-1-1 emergency or other situation that involves the coordination of multiple public safety responses and other emergency resources. Caleb and Madison Garrett, the children of Habersham County Emergency Services employee Joshua Garrett, received the Georgia Peach Award. Caleb and Madison contacted 9-1-1 for help when their brother suffered a possible life-threatening situation. “We are so proud of all these award recipients,” said Habersham County Manager Alicia Vaughn. “We are confident we have the best employees in the state and these awards again demonstrate our team’s level of commitment to excellence for our citizens.”