Hamilton County 911 receives award for response to Woodmore crash

Emergency personnel work at the scene of a school bus wreck involving multiple fatalities on Talley Road in Chattanooga, Tenn., Monday, Nov. 21, 2016. The crash occurred around 3:20 p.m.
Emergency personnel work at the scene of a school bus wreck involving multiple fatalities on Talley Road in Chattanooga, Tenn., Monday, Nov. 21, 2016. The crash occurred around 3:20 p.m.

Hamilton County 911 second shift telecommunicators received honors at the annual awards banquet during the TENA conference in Murfreesboro on September 26.

The award recognized their exceptional response to the Woodmore bus crash last November 21, 2016.

When telecommunicators at the center began receiving 911 calls that a school bus loaded with children had crashed and turned over, they immediately recognized the severity of the situation and the need for an urgent response.

The team worked together to process multiple 911 calls, managed the mass casualty response by assigning tactical channels and directing over 20 ambulances to the scene as well as coordinating a massive police and fire response. They further assisted with the deployment of tactical dispatchers to the scene to work directly with the incident commander and facilitate communications.

The teamwork and professionalism exhibited during this tragic incident was outstanding.

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