Montgomery City’s Department of Emergency Communications recognized seven graduates from its Class 2025C training program at a ceremony that included remarks from Acting Director Bridget Wright Davis and Mayor Steven L. Reed.

Bridget Wright Davis, acting director of the Department of Emergency Communications, opened the ceremony and introduced the new hires, saying the graduates “showed up. They showed out, and they're still here.” She called the role a profession, not merely a job, and told trainees: “The worst thing they can do is not answer those ringing phones.”

The graduating cohort includes two new dispatchers and five new emergency communications operators who began their training on July 18, according to Davis. She thanked training staff and center personnel by name, including Cynthia Caldwell, Valerie Cleveland, Kakeisha Turner, certified training officers Lakeisha Jones and Amelia Gordon, and center manager Emily Herring.

Mayor Steven L. Reed praised the graduates and described emergency communications work as “serious business,” saying, “It truly, truly, can be the difference between life and death.” Reed said the city plans a pay study that will include 911 communications alongside fire and police to look at livable wages across public-safety roles. He also said the city is examining investments in mental-health counseling, physical layout, childcare and other supports for employees.

Class president Sarika, speaking for her classmates, said the training “demands courage, compassion, and clarity” and that dispatchers and operators have trained to “stay calm during chaos.” She thanked the city and the department staff for the training and support.

Davis described the training package new hires receive and the range of knowledge required, including local fire and police station locations and numerous public-safety codes. She emphasized professionalism, compassion and resilience as essential on-the-job traits.

The ceremony included presentation of certificates and photographs. Davis said the department will continue hiring and training to support Montgomery Police Department, Montgomery Fire and Rescue, and city residents, and she pledged to provide staff with tools they need to perform their jobs.

No formal votes or policy actions were taken at the event. The ceremony functioned as a graduation and public recognition of new staff and the department’s workforce needs.