Barren-Metcalfe Emergency Communications center celebrates 30 years

SOUTH CENTRAL KENTUCKY – It’s a milestone celebration for 911 dispatchers in Barren and Metcalfe counties.

Thirty years ago, the Barren-Metcalfe Emergency Communications Center took their first emergency call in 1994 for a cow in the road.

Current and former dispatchers say over the last 30 years, the incoming calls for help can be anything from falls and cardiac emergencies, motor vehicle accidents or someone who’s lost and needs directions.

The dispatchers also say it’s a range of emotion being someone’s lifeline.

“You don’t really cry in dispatch much, but I cried that day because he thought he was dying. And about six months later, he came to the fire department and specifically wanted to see me so he could thank me and he was well, so that was awesome,” said Amy Houchin, a veteran dispatcher.

Like many dispatch centers around the nation, the Barren-Metcalfe Emergency Communications Center says they’ve seen many changes in communication in 30 years. From pen and paper, a system to text to 911 and a new technology called “prepared live,” the future of dispatch is here.

And yes, 30 years later, they still get calls for cows in the road.