2023 Public Safety Telecommunicators of the Year

Murfreesboro Emergency Communications Center Communications Specialist II Ethan Vanover and Celeste Stewart have been named 2023 Public Safety Telecommunicators of the Year for their selfless actions, dedication, and hard work.

Vanover is a three-year employee with the Emergency Communications Center. As a Communications Specialist II and Alternate Terminal Agency Coordinator (Alt-TAC), he serves as a 911 Call-Taker, Dispatcher, and a liaison between our agency and the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation. He took the vacant role of Alt-TAC without hesitation.

“Ethan is enthusiastic and driven about the critical role that 9-1-1 professionals contribute to the city’s public safety and is quick to answer the call from citizens, and feedback he receives through citizen surveys is overwhelmingly positive,” said Murfreesboro Communications Director Seth Russell. “He consistently seeks out more knowledge and responsibilities and has become a peer leader within our center this past year.”

Stewart is also a three-year employee with the Emergency Communications Center. As a Communications Specialist II and Communications Training Officer (CTO), she serves as a 911 Call-Taker, Dispatcher, and training new team 911 members. She is also part of the peer support team and has helped implement things like Mental Health Monday and watching calls to individually check in on co-workers who might have taken a difficult 911 call.

“Celeste has a positive attitude that is infectious, and she brings a positive light to work,” Russell said. “She is kindhearted, hard-working, and a team player. Many look up to her as a positive example to become. Celeste has a way of teaching that is so unique and is always willing to come up with new ideas to learn.”

City of Murfreesboro Mayor Shane McFarland honored the entire Murfreesboro Emergency Communications team and read a Proclamation recognizing April 9 – 15 as National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week at the City Council meeting on Thursday, April 6.

“We have many on our team deserving of recognition, Vanover and Stewart represent the outstanding and dedicated team of 911 professions that serve our community,” Russell said. “As the critical link for help and the hub for emergency services, they coordinate the police, fire, and medical responses. With an emphasis on teamwork, they also aid emergency service providers in protecting life and property.”

Vanover and Stewart join several Emergency Communications personnel across the state who are honored as 2023 Tennessee Public Safety Telecommunicators of the Year.