Last Updated on April 6, 2026 3:35 pm
A Watauga County 911 telecommunicator has been nominated for the National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week (NPSTW) Rookie of the Year award.
Elizabeth Hamby, known to colleagues as Beth, joined the Watauga 911 team last year after interning through Appalachian State University. According to her nomination on the NPSTW website, Hamby has quickly distinguished herself through exceptional dedication, professionalism, and a strong commitment to serving the citizens and visitors of Watauga County.
Her nomination highlights that month after month, Hamby has maintained the highest call volume in the center, an achievement that reflects both her efficiency and her ability to manage high-stress situations while maintaining quality care for callers. The nomination describes Hamby as consistently rising to challenges with calmness, compassion, and precision.
The nomination states that as a new telecommunicator, Hamby has quickly developed the confidence and skill set needed to perform at an elite level, demonstrating strong decision-making, excellent communication with field responders, and a willingness to continually learn and improve.
Kristi Pukansky of Watauga County Government shared the nomination announcement noting that National Public Safety Telecommunicator Week is coming up April 12–18.
National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week is held annually during the second week of April to honor the men and women who serve as emergency dispatchers and 911 call takers. The observance began in 1981 in Contra Costa County, California, and was officially proclaimed by Congress in 1991. The week recognizes the critical role telecommunicators play as the first point of contact in emergencies, coordinating responses for law enforcement, fire, and emergency medical services.
Emergency dispatchers across the United States handle over 240 million emergency calls annually. The profession is considered one of the most stressful in the country.
Elizabeth Hamby's full nomination profile can be viewed at npstw.org/elizabeth-hamby.
