If you have called 911 in Jackson County in the last few decades, there’s a good chance Joy Zacek’s voice is the one you heard on the other end of the line.
Joy began her time as a dispatcher in July of 1978, and while she left to pursue other things a couple of times, she’s always found her way back, serving 30 of the last 47 years behind the radio.
It’s not a career for just anyone. Dispatchers are called the first first responders for a reason. Joy has been the first contact for many, many people on the worst day of their lives, and it takes a certain temperament to be able to undertake that responsibility, especially in a small com- munity where the person on the other end of the line could be someone she knows. Joy and other dispatchers have to put aside their own emotions for the sake of those they’re there to help.
“You remain calm,” she said, “Because that’s what’s going to get them help the quickest.”
Staying calm isn’t only for the benefit of the caller or the public, but also help ensure that police, EMS, or fire units to where they need to be quickly, accurately, and safely.
Throughout her career, she has taken thousands of calls - some more serious than others.
Escaped cattle make up a surprisingly large percentage of the calls. Jackson County, unlike many surrounding counties, will still send a deputy to assist those who have locked their keys in their vehicles, and they still respond to fender benders, while many other jurisdictions no longer do.
“The worst words you can hear over the radio are that an officer is down,” she said. “When you do this in a smaller agency you know the officers, and you send them to what you don’t know if they’ll come back from. There’s a moment when you get the call, and you push the button to dispatch either fire, EMS or officers. There are a few microseconds there, and I always pray for them.”
A lot of things have changed over the years. Protocols, communications, equipment have all updated many times since she started, but what’s stayed the same is that dispatchers connect those in need with those who can help.
That doesn’t mean that her schedule is clear, though. She has many plans for her post-retirement life.
“There are people to visit, places to go,” she said. “You know, the sky’s the limit.”
