ARLINGTON, OH — Below dozens of state-of-the-art monitors in the UA police division’s dispatching center sits an old, ’70s-style push-button telephone. While the screens constantly update computer-generated maps and pass along information to patrol officers, the city’s dispatchers keep a constant eye on the old phone.

LOGANVILLE, GA — A 5-year-old Loganville boy made a call to 911 when a sudden illness left his mother and grandmother doubled over in pain.

NASSAU COUNTY, NY — A federal court has ordered Nassau County to pay $7 million next month to compensate female Nassau County 911 operators who argued in a lawsuit that they were paid significantly less than men doing similar work.

WARNER ROBINS, GA — Twelve cubicles are hugged together in a large room just off Carl Vinson Parkway. Each is labeled with a gold nameplate of a public safety agency and houses an operator calmly fielding several emergency dispatches before a collage of computer screens.

SEWICKLEY, PA — Crystal Richards said she was humbled by the recognition she received from Quaker Valley administrators and board members.

ROYAL OAK, MI — A frantic woman who called 911 because her dog was choking found life-saving help on the line in a police dispatcher who guided her through the Heimlich maneuver.

VANCOUVER, BC, CANADA — It was a December night three years ago when the phone rang in the radio room after 3 a.m. “I think there’s somebody in the house upstairs,” a terrified man whispered.