MOUNT VERNON – More than three decades after joining Knox County’s 911 emergency dispatch center, Donna Durbin will retire on August 31, 2024.
Durbin began her career as a 911 dispatcher in September 1993 and served as a dispatcher trainer for several years.
Due to her knowledge, exemplary work ethic and helpfulness, she was named Dispatcher of the Year 2018 by her colleagues.
County commissioners presented Durbin with a proclamation Thursday recognizing her achievements.
“Donna lived the county’s mission by dedicating her life’s work to making a significant contribution to the overall effectiveness of emergency response in Knox County,” the proclamation states.
“The Board of Knox County Commissioners expresses its deep gratitude for Donna Durbin’s selfless service and contributions to the Knox County Emergency Management Agency, the Knox County community and the employees of Knox County, Ohio.”
“We appreciate the years of service of the county staff,” Commissioner Teresa Bemiller told Durbin. “We know this is a milestone for you and I am sure you will be missed in the operations center.”
The first years in the emergency call center
Durbin experienced many changes during her tenure at the emergency center.
“We started in the old prison, which is now a parking lot. There was only room for two people and we had one typewriter. There were no computers,” she said.
“We had to type up the minutes, and if we fell behind, at the end of our shift we had to take our papers, go into the other room and finish typing up our minutes.”
Other features of these early years included a dot matrix printer, wall maps and the ability to type in MPs’ reports for them.
In 2014, Durbin participated in the consolidation of 911 services between the City of Mount Vernon and Knox County.
Durbin remembers pulling into the parking lot on her first day at the center.
“I was sitting there in my car. I wasn’t going to come in until 4 o’clock because that’s when I was supposed to be there,” she explained. “Detective Bob Durbin knocked on my window and said, ‘You can come in.’
“I said, ‘I’m not supposed to be there until 4 o’clock.’ He said, ‘No, that’s okay. You can come in.'”
Durbin remembers the retirement of a colleague two years ago.
“I thought, ‘I have two more years. My goodness, this feels like an eternity.’ And now it’s here,” she said. “I can’t believe how quickly it’s over.”
Durbin’s retirement plans include spending time with her grandson and doing things around the house.
