Honoring Our Lifeline: Cherokee County 911

Every year, during the second week of April, we set aside time to honor the telecommunications personnel in the public safety community. National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week celebrates and thanks those who dedicate their lives to serving the public with commitment, compassion, and professionalism. It is a time to recognize their hard work, sacrifices, and unwavering dedication.

Cherokee County 911’s Emergency Communications Center proudly serves as the sole Emergency Communications Center for all Law Enforcement and Emergency Services agencies throughout the county. Our dispatchers answer and dispatch calls for:

Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office

All 13 Cherokee County Fire Departments

Cherokee County Rescue Squad

Cherokee County EMA

Atrium EMS

Municipal Police Departments of Centre, Cedar Bluff, and Leesburg

Alabama Forestry Commission

Alabama State Troopers/Marine Police

National Park Service Rangers

Cherokee County 911 currently employs 10 dedicated Public Safety Telecommunicators along with an Operations Manager who oversees the daily operations of the Emergency Communications Center. This committed team operates under the leadership of Director Shawn Rogers, who serves as both the 911 Director and the Director of Emergency Management for Cherokee County.

Director Rogers reminds the public just how vital these individuals are:

“24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year — our telecommunicators provide a critical lifeline to emergency services. Whenever you have an emergency and need help, you pick up the phone and dial three numbers — 911 — and a calm, trained professional is always there. Holidays, weekends, or the middle of the night, they never leave. They are ready to answer your call with compassion, professionalism, dedication, and a true desire to help. Their mission is to get you the help you need, as quickly as possible, because they know that seconds count — and those seconds often mean the difference between life and death. Our public safety telecommunicators are the heartbeat for public safety.”

This week, and every week, we recognize and appreciate the selfless service of our Public Safety Telecommunicators. They are truly the unseen heroes behind every emergency response.

Thank you, Cherokee County 911, for always being there when we need you most!