WINCHESTER, VA — A lot of people hear Elizabeth Yost’s voice but may not ever meet her. She was one of five people in the state to win a 9-1-1 Medal of Honor this year from the state chapter of the Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials for helping one of those people.

COLCHESTER, CT — More traffic accidents and a spike in medical transports have put the Colchester Hayward Volunteer Fire Department on track to set a new record for emergency response calls this year.

CHILTON COUNTY, AL — Chilton County’s new 911 director might be uniquely qualified to lead the organization into the future.

TAMPA, FL — They could help save your life, and chances are you would never even see their face.

MEMPHIS, TN — Memphis Police 9-1-1 dispatchers take between 10,000 and 12,000 calls per year. It’s a lot of pressure. But these professionals know a life could be on the line each time they answer the phone.

ALEXANDRIA, VA — Standing beside a desk covered in computers, a bank of monitors tracking incident reports coming in from around the city lining the wall, Jo-Anne Munroe recalls how far public safety dispatching has come in her career.

FARMINGTON, ME — The transition into retirement comes with mixed emotions for Stephan Bunker. He retired Oct. 31 after serving 25 years with the Maine Department of Public Safety.