The Harford County Department of Emergency Services recently honored public safety dispatcher Rhonda Hinch with its Above and Beyond the Call Award.
Hinch, a 25-year veteran with the department, was nominated for the award by Robert Thomas Jr., emergency services administration branch manager and coordinator of community outreach, and by Ross Coates, public safety dispatch manager.
Hinch received the departmental award for her work with the 911 Education program, according to a news release. The program helps teach the public, especially children, how to use 911 in the event of an emergency.
Hinch has assisted the department in staffing the 911 Education display at the Harford County Farm Fair for many years, often working all of the fair's four days.
Hinch has also conducted several tours and briefings for Harford County Public Schools students visiting the Department of Emergency Services, particularly the 911 Center, the press release notes.
Hinch also works closely with Coates to recognize youngsters who properly use the 911 system to summon help to save a life, presenting the Department of Emergency Services 911 Award to those found deserving of this special recognition.
Aside from her duties and responsibilities with the county government, Hinch is an active member of the Harford County Volunteer Fire and EMS Service, serving with the Level Volunteer Fire Company.
During the past 20 years, Hinch has coordinated the Play It Safe safety camp for children, which the press release explains is the only one of its kind in Harford County and "well received and supported by the community."
"Rhonda Hinch is a valuable asset to the department and to her community," DES Director Edward Hopkins said in a statement. "Whether dispatching emergency calls for service, assisting with the 911 Education program or coordinating life safety events with the Level Volunteer Fire Company, Mrs. Hinch consistently performs 'Above and Beyond the Call,' making her most deserving of this award."