LIHUE — Dispatchers are rarely seen, but during times of emergency are a vital link between those in need of help and responders.
“These people are the first contact a person makes in an emergency situation,” said Carrice Caspillo Gardner, representing Gov. David Ige. “Dispatchers can mean the difference between life and death.”
Kauai employs 15 dispatchers who communicate with responders and enforcement personnel in the field for the county’s police, fire and parks and recreation departments.
They were represented by three dispatchers — Kathy Ragragola, Donn Taniguchi and Christina Chong Tim — during a brief ceremony acknowledging them in observance of National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week, April 8 through 14.
In 2017, Kauai dispatchers fielded more than 150,000 phone calls, of which 50,000 were 9-1-1 emergencies.
“It takes a special person to be a dispatcher,” said Chip Bahouth, Kauai Police Commission chair. “There are skill sets that can be taught, but a dispatcher has qualities beyond those skills. For a person calling 9-1-1, they are doing it because there is a need.”
Mel Rapozo, Kauai County Council chair, said he knows firsthand of those needs.
“In my night job, I’ve had to call dispatch for different reasons,” Rapozo said. “One thing that hasn’t changed is the compassion and dedication of our dispatchers.”
Kauai dispatchers also include Heather Borges, Nellie Bunao, Deborah Carvalho, Alison Kane, Alyssa-Deshae Kaneakua, Sarah Louxz, Kristin Minei, Stephanie Neher, Alohilani Perreira, Souci Sayegusa, Lavina Taovao and Mary Jo Tydingco.
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Dennis Fujimoto, staff writer and photographer, can be reached at 245-0453 or dfujimoto@thegardenisland.com.
