There’s Good News: Deschutes County 911 dispatcher receives two prestigious awards

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Deschutes County nine-one-one dispatcher Melissa Fitzgerald received two top honors during her graduation from the Basic Telecommunicator Class on Feb. 13. The honors were presented by the Department of Public Safety and Standards Training following her completion of the specialized program.

Fitzgerald was recognized with the Victor G. Atiyeh Award and the Carol Fagan Award for Academic Excellence. County officials noted that her achievements reflect the 9-1-1 team's commitment to serving the community with professional care.

The Victor G. Atiyeh Award is a peer-voted honor that recognizes a student who earns the respect of staff, instructors and classmates. To qualify, a student must demonstrate leadership, encouragement, strong academics, professionalism and a commitment to wellness throughout the training program.

Fitzgerald also earned the Carol Fagan Award for Academic Excellence. This distinction is reserved for the top academic student or students in the graduating class. Together, the two honors recognize both peer-led leadership and individual academic performance within the telecommunicator curriculum.