Allegany County, MD 911 Specialist Local 1521

06/18/2026

Today, we want to hear from YOU:

💬 Have you ever had to call 911?💬 Did a dispatcher help you through a difficult situation?💬 Is there something you've always wanted the public to know about how 911 works?

Share your stories, questions, or words of appreciation in the comments below.

Remember:✅ Know your location before you call.✅ Stay calm and answer all questions.✅ Never hang up until the dispatcher tells you it's okay.

Your local 911 dispatchers are always here when you need us, because every call matters, and every second counts.

📞❤️ Thank you for supporting your emergency communications professionals.

*post idea from one of our 911 Specialists, Carrie George*

06/16/2026

We are a week away from Fire Camp Class IV! We are excited to announce we have partnered with multiple outside agencies to help make the week a fun, full experience for all!

New Additions:

3rd Platoon (13 & 14 year olds) Will receive AHA BLS certifications

Josh Hook - Garrett College Paramedic Program providing hands on training

Melanie - ACE Certified Youth Fitness Specialist - BAM Fitness

With assistance from:

Baltimore Pike Volunteer Fire Co.4

Bowling Green Fire Dept

Allegany County, MD 911 Specialist Local 1521

Allegany County Sheriff's Office, Maryland

Allegany County Department of Emergency Services

Lavale Volunteer Rescue Squad

06/02/2026

A local little girl was awarded this very special award for her bravery of calling 911.

One of our own was recognized along side of this courageous girl for her quick action to initiate over the phone CPR instructions and get help started quickly. Read the full post for details!

Today in conjunction with UPMC Western Maryland and Cresaptown Elementary, the Allegany County 911 Joint Communications Center proudly recognized 10-year-old Anny Platt with the agency’s first-ever 911 Courage Award for her extraordinary bravery and life-saving actions during a medical emergency involving her mother on April 4, 2026.

On that day, Anny’s mother suffered a severe medical emergency that ultimately led to cardiac arrest. Faced with an incredibly traumatic situation, Anny remained calm, called 911, and followed emergency instructions provided by 911 personnel. Most remarkably, she immediately began CPR on her mother until emergency responders arrived.

Anny’s quick thinking, courage, and determination played a critical role in saving her mother’s life.

The 911 call was handled by 911 Specialist Shaunna Simmons, who provided CPR pre-arrival instructions and guided Anny through the emergency. Shaunna was assisted by 911 Specialist Amber Thomas and Shift Supervisor Jeremy Jack, whose teamwork and professionalism supported the successful outcome.

The 911 Courage Award was established in 2023 to recognize children who demonstrate exceptional bravery and use 911 to help save others' lives during emergencies. The idea for the award was developed by 911 Specialist Jordan Ross, who recognized the importance of honoring children who perform courageously in the face of adversity.

“Anny showed incredible strength and bravery during one of the most frightening moments imaginable,” said Communications Chief Steve Shipley. “Her actions are a reminder that even at a young age, people can make a tremendous difference. We are proud to recognize her as the first recipient of the 911 Courage Award.”

Allegany County 911 commends Anny, the dispatch personnel, and all involved emergency responders for their actions that day and hopes Anny’s story encourages others to learn the importance of calling 911 and CPR education.

05/20/2026

🚑 EMS Week is a time to recognize the incredible men and women who answer the call when our community needs them most.

From medical emergencies and motor vehicle accidents to moments of fear, uncertainty, and crisis… our EMS crews show up every single day with compassion, skill, and dedication.

They work long hours, miss holidays with their families, and respond without hesitation, all to help complete strangers on what may be the worst day of their lives.

AFSCME Local 1521 proudly recognizes and celebrates all of our local EMS providers during EMS Week. Your commitment, professionalism, and sacrifice do not go unnoticed.

Thank you for the care you provide, the lives you save, and the difference you make throughout our community every day. ❤️

Please join us in showing appreciation to our EMS crews this week! 👏🚑

05/01/2026

Congratulations to our Cinco de Mayo raffle winner, Megan Faidley! We will contact you with details on how to get your prize! Thank you to everyone who purchased a chance! We appreciate you all!

04/18/2026

As Telecommunicators Week comes to a close, we want to take a moment to recognize the voices behind the calls. The ones you may never see, but will never forget.

🎧 Our 911 Specialists.

This week, we shared facts, stories, and a glimpse into what happens on the other end of a 911 call, but the truth is, it’s something that can’t fully be captured in a single post.

💬 It’s the calm in the chaos.
⏱️ It’s making split-second decisions that save lives.
❤️ It’s compassion, professionalism, and strength… every single shift.

From answering routine calls to guiding someone through the worst moment of their life, our telecommunicators are always there… steady, focused, and ready.

👏 To the dedicated members of AFSCME Local 1521, thank you for the sacrifices you make, the long hours you work, and the care you give to every caller.

🙏 And to everyone who took the time this week to show your appreciation, whether through lunches, treats, kind words, or thoughtful gifts, thank you for reminding our team just how supported they are.

You are truly the first first responders, and our community is safer because of you.

🖤💛As this week ends, our appreciation does not.🖤💛



We would also like to thank our Communications Chief Steve Shipley for being an awesome boss and always making us feel special and well-loved. You’re the best! 🫶🫶

04/17/2026

A big THANK YOU to Allegany Health and Tri-Towns EMS for treating our A2 shift to Jersey Mike’s for lunch! 🥪👏

Your generosity and support mean so much to our team. It’s gestures like this that remind us how strong our partnerships are and how much we’re appreciated by those we work alongside every day.

We’re grateful to serve this community together! 💙🚑📞

04/17/2026

🍕❤️ Community Support Spotlight ❤️🍕

A big THANK YOU to Pappy’s Pizza for generously donating food to our C1 shift last night!

While our 911 Specialists were hard at work answering calls and serving our community, Pappy’s made sure they were taken care of with a delicious meal and it truly means more than you know.

Support like this keeps our team going during long shifts, and we are incredibly grateful for businesses like Pappy’s Pizza that stand behind us.

If you get a chance, show them some love and support local! 🙌🍕

04/17/2026

🚨 Day 5 Spotlight: The First First Responders 🚨
Presented by AFSCME Local 1521

When you call 911, who is the very first person you connect with?

📞 A 911 Specialist.

Before the sirens.
Before the lights.
Before help ever arrives…

There is a calm voice on the other end of the line.

🎧 911 Specialists are often called the “first first responders” and for good reason.

💬 They are the ones who:
• Answer your call in your most stressful moment
• Quickly gather critical, life-saving information
• Dispatch police, fire, or EMS within seconds
• Stay on the line to guide you through emergencies

🚑 They may be talking someone through CPR…
🔥 Helping a caller escape a fire…
🚓 Keeping someone safe during a dangerous situation…

All while coordinating multiple responders behind the scenes.

🧠 It takes intense training, focus, and composure to do this job, often handling call after call without pause.

💔 They hear people on their worst days…
❤️ But they show up every time with professionalism, compassion, and strength.

👏 Today, we recognize the incredible 911 Specialists of AFSCME Local 1521, the unseen heroes, the steady voices, and the true first first responders.

04/16/2026

🚨 Day 4 Spotlight: Seconds Count 🚨
Presented by AFSCME Local 1521

When you call 911, it might feel like a blur, but every question we ask has a purpose.

⏱️ Seconds truly matter in an emergency.
The faster we get the right information, the faster we can get help to you.

🗣️ Why dispatchers ask so many questions:

It’s not to slow things down, it’s to get you the right help as quickly as possible.

• 📍 Where are you? – This is always the first priority
• 🚑 What’s happening? – Helps determine police, fire, EMS or all three
• 👤 Who needs help? – Age, condition, consciousness
• ⚠️ Is it safe? – For you and responding crews

💡 Here’s something many people don’t realize:
Help is often being dispatched while you’re still on the phone. Those extra questions are giving responders critical updates before they even arrive.

🧠 In high-stress moments, it’s normal to panic.
That’s why 911 Specialists are trained to guide you, keep you focused, and even give life-saving instructions if needed.

🙏 What you can do to help:
• Take a breath and try to stay as calm as possible
• Listen carefully and answer clearly
• Don’t hang up unless told to do so
• Follow any instructions given. They could save a life

❤️ Behind every call is a trained professional working quickly, calmly, and with purpose to get help where it’s needed most.

👏 Shoutout to the dedicated Allegany County 911 Specialists that are a part of AFSCME Local 1521. Making every second count.