The calm during a storm

When emergency strikes, many people think of the police officers, firefighters, and other first responders who respond to the call. But, there is a group of people known as dispatchers who works diligently behind the scenes to make sure help is on its way.
One of these dispatchers with Evangeline Parish 911 was honored for going above and beyond in her service by receiving the first ever Dispatcher of the Year Award.
“I really am honored because I’m not from this parish, but I have the heart to do this job and to show others how to do this job,” said Marilyn McCullough after she was presented the award Wednesday night. “I am forever grateful to the men and women that have faith me and who gave me another opportunity to work in this field.”
The idea for the award came about when Communications Center Supervisor Chasessica Baso met with 911 Director Liz Hill about honoring one of their dispatchers. “As someone who was a dispatcher, I noticed that firemen and police officers often got recognized for their good deeds and their awesome work, so I always wondered why not us,” Basco said. “Without dispatchers, the jobs of law enforcement officers, firemen, and first responders would be a lot harder than they already are. Dispatchers are the first, first responders.
Basco explained why McCullough was chosen to receive this award. She said, “Marilyn has displayed excellence in the way that she has not only answered 911 calls but also in the way that she has dispatched for the six fire departments and three police departments as well.”
“In 2017 our 911 center answered a total of 35,311 calls,” she continued. “Of these 35,311 calls, Marilyn handled 4,515. That includes basic medical overdoses, suicides, rapes, domestic abuse, fires, vehicle accidents, thefts, and helping people at some of the worst times in their life.”
McCullough first got into law enforcement at the age of 19 because she always enjoyed helping people. The Oakdale native and resident began her career with the Allen Parish Sheriff Office. “They dispatch for the sheriff’s office, the ambulance, and for fire all in one,” she explained. “I also had many police departments that I dispatched for.”
She became post-certified and worked for a time as the evidence custodian and as a patrol officer. After taking a break from the sheriff’s office and working in finance, she caught wind that Evangeline 911 was hiring for its new center. “I said it wasn’t too far from home, so I sent in my resume and applied,” McCullough said. “I came for an interview, and they hired me. They gave me a chance, so I’ve been doing it ever since they opened and went live in August 2016.”
Basco explained some of the challenges McCullough encountered at the Evangeline 911 Center. “Marilyn had a rough time at first because she’s not from our parish,” she said. “Marilyn is from Allen Parish, and a lot of our funny sounding road names threw her off like L’Anse Meg, L’Anse Aux Pailles, and Boozoo Street. However, she never made excuses and has always given 100 percent to every call. The citizens of our parish, a parish she does not reside in, are her people.”
McCullough described what a regular day is like as a dispatcher for Evangeline 911. “We have many ambulance calls and fire calls,” she said. “We have calls that we transfer to the Evangeline Parish Sheriff’s Office, to State Police, and to Acadian Ambulance. I’ve only worked a couple of night shifts, but it’s busier during the day than it is at night.”
With every call that McCullough answers, she has the same goal in mind. She concluded, “Until I resign or am sent home because I’m no longer needed, I will treat your parish like it’s mine because, at the end of the day, my goal is for everyone to go home safe to their families so I can go home safe to mine.”