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Knox County honors Laura Webster and hears 9-1-1 operations update
Summary
The county recognized Laura Webster for 30 years in emergency communications and heard 9-1-1 operations data: 4,333 July calls, 1,765 9-1-1 calls, a 100% LEADS data-entry audit pass, and outreach efforts at community events. Webster reported completed suicides have doubled compared with last year so far.
The Knox County Board of Commissioners on Aug. 14 presented a resolution honoring Laura Webster for 30 years of service in emergency communications and received a monthly report on 9‑1‑1 operations.
The board’s resolution recounted Webster’s progression from a 9‑1‑1 dispatcher to the position of 9‑1‑1 operations director and praised her leadership in improving emergency communications and procedures. Commissioners said they would prepare an official copy of the resolution and arrange a photo to commemorate the recognition.
In her report, Webster said the county handled 4,333 calls in July (including both emergency and nonemergency call types) and that 1,765 of those were 9‑1‑1 calls. She told the board that attempted suicidal threats and mental-health related calls decreased from the previous month but said completed suicides this year have already doubled compared with the same point last year.
Webster also reported dispatch achieved a 100% entry rate with no errors in a recent LEADS (law enforcement automated data system) audit and described outreach the dispatch center carried out at community events including First Friday and National Night Out. She said dispatch remains short-staffed by two trainees but is otherwise fully staffed after a recent hire.
The board thanked Webster for her service and noted plans to present her with the board’s commendation; Webster outlined ongoing operational priorities including staff training, security audits and community engagement.
