Leaders announce scholarship program

EST program to be offered to Auburn Career Center students

The Lake County commissioners, with support from the county Clerk of Courts, recently announced the launch of the Lake County Emergency Services Telecommunicators Scholarship.

The program has moved from the pilot phase to its inaugural class to train the next generation of telecommunicators and will be offered to qualifying students enrolled in Auburn Career Center’s Emergency Services Telecommunicators program.

The board provided funding in 2020 and has been looking to establish a scholarship program to grow enrollment, noted Commissioner John Hamercheck.

“We have enjoyed a great relationship with Clerk of Courts Faith Andrews,” he said. “When she was made aware of the initiative, she had no hesitation to provide assistance in this very important public safety need.”

Captain Mike Warner of Lake County Central Communications, under the Sheriff’s Office, has been one of the key leads in putting the accredited program together, Hamercheck added.

“Modern-day dispatching is more than sitting behind a microphone and answering a telephone these days,” he said. “Central is an absolute gem of a resource and clearly a preeminent facility in the state.”

The program is designed to give students the requirements and references needed to obtain the job skills for necessary employment as an emergency service telecommunicator.

The telecommunicators serve as public safety dispatchers or 911 operators whose duties and responsibilities include answering, receiving, transferring, and dispatching functions related to emergency calls; dispatching law enforcement officers, fire rescue services, emergency medical services and other public safety services to the scene of an emergency; providing realtime information from crime databases; and supervising or serving as the command officer to a person or persons having such duties and responsibilities.

“This will be a premier program in Ohio and I am grateful to the clerk of courts for funding this very important effort,” said Commissioner John Plecnik. “This will provide a qualified talent base for local dispatch centers, including Lake County Central Dispatch, who meet the highest standard.

“In my past life as a councilman, I had the experience of onboarding Willoughby Hills to the county dispatch center with the help of Captain Warner and then-Chief Deputy Frank Leonbruno, and the experience our police and fire departments had, in terms of improved service, faster response times, better technology and the highest level of professionalism — it really benefited our community,” he said. “It was more than just cost savings, which it achieved, it actually improved safety.”

As society and safety/emergency communications continue to become increasingly mobile and accessible, the ability to access 911 services at any time and in any place has become a constant. Also, the need for consistent minimum training for the telecommunicator professional has, in turn, been recognized by the 911 community, officials noted.

In addition, the program is for people who are searching for a career that is “novel coronavirus proof,” helps their community and also helps local law enforcement.

The program continues to, once again, demonstrate the strength of community partnerships, said Commissioner Ron Young.

Andrews said she’s “thrilled” to be able to provide $20,000 in seed funding to support the scholarship, which comes from title surplus.

With the donation, Auburn will be able to assist candidates with their tuition for this class, noted Michelle Rodewald, director of adult workforce education and business partnerships.

“The new program meets the needs of the surrounding communities by providing a consistent and comprehensive training program for new telecommunicator dispatchers,” she said. “Auburn is excited to have the support.”

The program also includes an internship component that will provide students with opportunities to shadow and receive handson training, in addition to subsequent job opportunities.

The commissioners noted there is a shortage of local dispatchers and communities are already calling Auburn and asking for students.