Genesee County Dispatchers Received State Honors
The New York State 911 Coordinators Association recognized five dispatchers for their exemplary emergency service.
Updated on Oct. 10, 2026 in Emergency Response
The New York State 911 Coordinators Association honored Genesee County dispatchers with top awards during its annual fall conference in Geneva. The recognition highlights their critical efforts in managing complex emergency responses across New York.
Why it matters
These awards recognize the essential role that emergency telecommunicators play in coordinating large-scale public safety operations under intense pressure. The recognition reinforces the importance of effective inter-agency communication in managing mass-casualty incidents.
The conference drew 120 coordinators representing all 62 New York counties. The awards were presented for actions taken during a single mass-casualty tour bus accident on the I-90.
The players
Kelly Smith
This Genesee County dispatcher was named the New York State Telecommunicator of the Year.
New York State 911 Coordinators Association
This professional organization represents emergency dispatch operations across all 62 New York counties.
The details
Kelly Smith earned the Telecommunicator of the Year Award, while Robert Tripp, Beth Miller, Jason Holman, and Stephen Smelski received the Teamwork Award. The honorees were recognized for their coordination of mutual-aid resources and mass-casualty response during an I-90 bus accident, while maintaining standard day-to-day operations.
Timeline
August 2025: Tour bus accident occurred on the I-90.
October 5 to October 8, 2026: The annual fall conference took place in Geneva.
Seasonal Patterns
This story highlights the collaborative networking fostered by the New York State 911 Coordinators Association annual fall conference, which serves as a central hub for emergency management protocols. The event follows a recurring annual cycle that brings together officials from all 62 counties to standardize statewide emergency response.
Residents benefit from the heightened coordination standards these dispatchers maintain during daily emergencies. Public safety relies on these professionals managing mutual-aid resources to ensure rapid response times during life-threatening events.
The takeaway
Reliable dispatch services remain the backbone of the public safety network for every New York community. Recognizing these individuals fosters continued excellence and preparedness for future mass-casualty incidents.
Further reading
Learn more about the latest developments in Emergency Response across New York.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Batavian.
