09/02/2026
NEW 911 DIRECTOR! Chief Newton is proud to announce, Kelly Johanneck has been promoted to Director of the Great Falls–Cascade County Emergency Communication Center (911). Johanneck fills the role recently vacated when Karen Young retired from the position.
Johanneck graduated from CMR High School in 1997 and holds two bachelor’s degrees, Social Psychology and Criminal Justice, with an emphasis in law enforcement, from Park University.
Johanneck joined the 911 team in 2004 and has since built a distinguished career. Her accomplishments include being named Dispatcher of the Year in 2015, promotion to 911 Supervisor in 2018, and promotion to 911 Deputy Director in 2024.
Johanneck has completed the Montana Law Enforcement Academy’s Executive Leadership Institute and the City of Great Falls’ Supervisor Training Program. Her additional training includes Active Shooter Response, Tactical Dispatch, Staff-to-Supervisor Transition, Communications Training Officer Certification, Blue Card Command, Crisis Communications and Su***de Prevention, Critical Thinking, Leadership Management Phases I & II, Mastering Performance Management Phase III, Surviving Stress, FEMA Incident Command Structure 100, 200, 300, and 700, and Administration, Management, and Supervision of Field Training Programs.
She is also a member of the GFPD/911 Peer Support Team.
When asked about her dedication to the profession, Johanneck shared:
“Serving others during their most critical moments has been the greatest honor of my career. I have always taken deep pride in high-level customer service, knowing that a calm, prepared voice on the line can make a life-changing difference during someone’s darkest hour.
My dedication extends equally to our first responders. Keeping our responders safe is the most rewarding responsibility I know. Throughout my career, I made it my mission to be the most proactive and efficient dispatcher—always striving to stay five steps ahead of our officers and deputies and to have critical information ready before they even ask.
As I step into the Director role, I’m eager to build upon our strong foundation. With the support of the incredible team of emergency dispatchers and supervisors, I look forward to leading the 911 center into the future while maintaining the highest standard of safety, service, and commitment to the Great Falls and Cascade County communities.”
PHOTO: Kelly Johanneck, Director of the Great Falls/Casscade County Emergency Communications Center stands in front of the bank of dispatcher consoles, blurred in the background, at the 911 Center.
