82R28998 BPG-D
By: Paxton H.R. No. 2113
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, The McKinney Police Department 9-1-1 dispatchers
have received the 2011 Team 9-1-1 Award of Merit from the Commission
on State Emergency Communications; and
WHEREAS, In granting this noteworthy honor, the CSEC
recognized the exceptional performance of the McKinney 9-1-1 call
takers on the morning of August 17, 2010; dispatch personnel
observed a large cloud of black smoke outside their building and
discovered that a truck was burning in the police department's
public parking lot; when police officers and firefighters
responded, the dispatchers heard loud pops and saw windows
shattering; and
WHEREAS, Their office building was taking gunfire, but the
dispatchers continued to process all of the phone calls and routine
radio traffic in the communications center while handling this
major incident as it unfolded around them; two dispatchers and
officers who had been walking in the front courtyard were trapped
under fire from a suspect with an assault rifle and the building was
locked down; the dispatchers were brought to safety, and after an
exchange of gunfire, the sniper was found dead; fortunately, no one
else was injured; and
WHEREAS, Throughout this ordeal, the dispatchers worked
diligently to protect the safety of firefighters, officers, two of
their fellow dispatchers, and members of the public; the
award-winning McKinney emergency call takers include
communications supervisor Sammye Cotton, CTO Andrew Griffin,
trainee Mayra Garcia, CTO Lindy Amedee, trainee Monica Wright,
specialist Danielle Decoudreaux, specialist Shantel Lorance,
specialist Shannon Moran, trainee Matthew Jones, trainee Bridget
Muniz, and trainee Amy Daniel; the teamwork and professionalism of
this dedicated crew contributed immeasurably to the positive
resolution of a dangerous situation, and its members' courage,
composure, and dedication indeed merit special recognition; now,
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 82nd Texas
Legislature hereby congratulate the McKinney Police Department
9-1-1 dispatchers on their receipt of the 2011 Team 9-1-1 Award of
Merit from the Commission on State Emergency Communications and
commend them for their outstanding service; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for the dispatchers as an expression of high regard by the
Texas House of Representatives.