Consolidated Dispatch Agency

06/01/2026

Today’s "Knowledge is Power: What We Want You to Know" moment from your Emergency Communications Family features Public Safety Telecommunicator Dylan Cook.

Now in his fifth year of service, Dylan offers a thoughtful reminder about the human being behind the voice on the other end of the line.

"Most people will never meet the voice on the other end of a 9-1-1 call, and honestly, that’s okay. If we’ve done our job right, the focus stays on getting help where it needs to go, not on us.

But what many people don’t realize is that dispatchers carry a lot of the calls they answer. We hear people during some of the hardest moments of their lives - when they’re scared, hurt, angry, grieving, or unsure of what to do next. We stay calm because we have a job to do, but that doesn’t mean those moments don’t affect us.

I started my career in public safety in 2021, and since then I’ve worked everything from routine calls to major incidents that impacted our entire community. No matter what may be happening in my own life, I come to work ready to help the person on the other end of the line. That’s what all of us in this profession do.

One thing I wish more people understood is that dispatchers are human too. We genuinely want to help. Every question we ask has a purpose. We’re not trying to delay help; we’re trying to get responders to you as quickly as possible with the information they need to stay safe and provide the best assistance. When callers are frustrated, scared, or emotional, we understand. But patience and cooperation truly make a difference.

If there’s one piece of advice I could give, it’s this: know your location and take a breath if you can. Even a few clear details can make a huge difference when seconds matter.

Behind every headset is a real person doing their best to help someone they’ve never met through a moment they’ll likely never forget.

And to everyone in public safety: dispatchers, law enforcement, firefighters, EMS, and support staff - thank you for continuing to show up and serve others every day.

D. Cook"

06/01/2026

Good afternoon, Tallahassee Leon County!

Sharing from the family photo album again...

Today, June 1, 2026, marks a unique milestone in the history of the Tallahassee-Leon County Consolidated Dispatch Agency as we celebrate five years of service by Director David Odom.

It is a noteworthy occasion because, since the Agency first opened its doors in 2013, no Director has served longer. Building and leading a consolidated emergency communications center is no small undertaking, and every leader who came before played an important role in laying the foundation upon which your CDA stands today.

Over the past five years, however, something remarkable has happened.

For decades, "dispatch" was often viewed as a function rather than a profession. The men and women answering the calls were too often reduced to symbols of the work...a headset, a radio, a computer screen...while the extraordinary responsibility they carried, the lives they touched, and the humanity they brought to every interaction remained largely unseen.

Today, that picture is different.

The public's understanding of Emergency Communications has evolved. The community now recognizes that behind the technology are highly trained professionals dedicated to responding to crisis with consistency, skill, and compassion. They are the critical thinkers, problem solvers, caregivers, and leaders who stand at the intersection of crisis and hope, guiding people through some of the most difficult moments of their lives.

Under Director Odom's leadership, the CDA has emerged as an innovative and nationally recognized leader in Emergency Communications. The Agency continues to pursue new technologies, strengthen partnerships, and explore better ways to serve our community. More importantly, Emergency Communications is increasingly recognized for what it has always been: an essential and equal partner within the Public Safety family.

The greatest accomplishment, however, may not be measured in technology, programs, or recognition. It is the culture that has been built; a culture rooted in service, compassion, professionalism, and an unwavering commitment to the people of Leon County.

Five years is a significant milestone. More importantly, it is a reminder of what can be accomplished when people are united by a shared purpose and committed to the only mission that truly matters: serving others.

Congratulations, Director Odom, and thank you for your leadership, vision, and dedication to the people who serve and the community we all love.

05/24/2026

APCO International is pleased to announce the winners of the 2026 Emergency Communications Center Awards and Technology Leadership Awards. The winners will be recognized during the Opening General…

05/24/2026

Good afternoon, Tallahassee Leon County.

Why is knowledge power?

If you know before you need to know, you are actively taking care of yourselves/ your family, our community, and your First Responders.

These events are time well spent and your Emergency Communications Family appreciates your deliberate effort to plan, prepare, and protect.

Join us Tuesday night, May 26, from 6-8 p.m., at Jake Gaither Community Center, 801 Bragg Drive, for a free community workshops to help guide you and your neighbors through hurricane season preparedness planning. Attendees will hear from local experts about what supplies to have on hand; steps to take to protect people, pets and property; and available resources that can help residents prepare.

If you can't make the workshop this week, there is another in a few weeks:
📅 June 16 - St. Peter's Anglican Cathedral, 4784 Thomasville Road

Get full details at https://bit.ly/3QPHxJE

05/24/2026

Coming soon 6/10/2026
thecommverse.org

05/22/2026

Good evening, Tallahassee Leon County.

Today’s "Knowledge is Power: What We Want You to Know" moment from your Emergency Communications Family features Public Safety Telecommunicator and Recruiter Kentazha “KB” Bradshaw.

Some people serve others because it is a job. Others serve because it is woven into who they are. KB is one of those people.

Since beginning her career in public service in 2009, KB has consistently chosen a life centered on helping others through some of their hardest moments. She has built a career defined by professionalism and purpose.

KB is the kind of person who can speak hard truths with compassion, make people feel seen when they are struggling, and somehow leave everyone around her stronger than she found them. Whether she is mentoring a new employee, supporting a fellow First Responder, recruiting future members of the Public Safety family, or simply showing up for someone who needs encouragement, she does so with authenticity, heart, and conviction.

KB’s compassion was not born from an easy life. She has endured tremendous personal loss and hardship but instead of allowing pain to harden her, she made the courageous decision to let it deepen her empathy, strengthen her character, and refine her purpose.

She often reminds others that healing, growth, and forgiveness are choices we must make for ourselves and believes deeply in the power of resilience, accountability, and service to something greater than self. That...not so little light...shines through in everything she does.

And now...

"“Hey there! I prefer to be called K.B. because of the uniqueness of my name. First and foremost, I am the mother of two beautiful young women, and then I am proud to be part of the First of the First Responders here in Leon County.

I truly believe I was placed on this Earth to help others, so naturally I gravitated toward a profession centered on service and caring for people. In my case, that calling has allowed me to serve two different communities. I began my journey as a First Responder in Thomasville, Georgia, serving the emergency needs of Thomas County before later becoming a Florida resident and continuing that service here in Leon County.

I now have 14 years of loving, caring for, and showing up for others. I do this work because I never simply wanted to make a difference; I wanted to be the difference.

What matters most to me is that my daughters have someone positive to look up to. It matters to me that they understand it is always easier to love than to hate, and that it is okay to be the ‘difference.’

K.B.”

Mastering yourself is true power. -Lao Tzu

05/21/2026

Good evening, Tallahassee Leon County!

Today’s "Knowledge is Power: What We Want You to Know" moment from your Emergency Communications Family features Public Safety Telecommunicator Angelina Raye.

Now in her second year serving our community, Angelina is equal parts sunshine and sass. She brings the kind of energy that can light up a room, make you laugh when you least expect it, and remind everyone around her to breathe. Around the CDA, she in known for her humor; always good-natured, always hilarious, and occasionally delivered with just enough Southern “bless your heart” seasoning to keep us all on our toes. (She may actually be related to Connie, come to think of it!)

But beneath the quick wit and infectious personality is a genuinely compassionate human being who chose a life of service to others.

Angelina reminds us that laughter truly is good medicine, and in a profession that carries immense weight, humor and kindness often go hand in hand.

"Just wanted to share some things that I believe would be beneficial for the public to know!

Although I don’t think I can top all the great advice my coworkers have already shared, I did want to touch a little more on some of the things that have already been mentioned.

Whether you are calling 9-1-1 during an emergency or using the non-emergency line, please remember we are here to help YOU. Sometimes, helping you may look a little different than you imagined. At times, helping you may also mean helping you help someone else while making sure everyone involved is getting the assistance they need.

We go through lots of training that equips us to provide important, life-saving instructions over the phone. So even though the questions we ask may feel overwhelming in the moment, please know they are important. Those questions help us gather critical information for responders while also helping you in real time so the best possible response can be provided.

Just as we are trained to help during life-or-death emergencies on 9-1-1, we are also trained and equipped to assist with many situations on the non-emergency line. We love helping on non-emergency calls and do not mind transferring you to one of our partner agencies when needed.

It is always helpful, though, to become familiar with the resources available in your area and how certain situations are handled. For example, City and County Animal Control operates during regular business hours from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., but they can still be paged by us after hours for situations involving sick or injured animals, animals trapped inside a home, or animal bites involving an unconfined animal.

And just like my coworkers have shared before…please don’t forget that we are human too. We are always happy to help.

Sincerely,
Angelina”

05/21/2026