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Vermilion Parish 911 Communications District

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Abbeville, LA
Vermilion Parish 911 Communications District

𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐩𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝐢𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐢𝐧𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐧𝐥𝐲. 𝐈𝐟 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐚𝐧 𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐮𝐚𝐥 𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐫𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐲, 𝐩𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞 𝐝𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝟗𝟏𝟏. The 911 center averages about 2000 calls per month.

The 911 Center is operated 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, with two dispatchers on duty at all times. The 911 service allows citizens to dial “911” for any emergency situation and the 911 center will direct your call to the proper agency. Law enforcement and Medical calls are directed to the responding agencies (VPSO, local Police Departments and Acadian Ambulance). For fire and medical calls the

District serves as dispatch for 11 of the parishes 16 fire departments. The Fire Departments play a crucial role in medical emergencies as they provide first response until the ambulance arrives on scene. Improvements made by the Communication District in the last 5 years include the following: Implementation of Phase I for the identification of the wireless caller’s phone numbers, Upgrading of the parishes Fire Communications as well as the addition of an All Talk parish channel to provide for interoperability between departments during a major/minor incident. The District is continually looking at ways to enhance its service, one major project currently being studied is the implementation of Phase II for wireless callers. Phase II will allow the 911 dispatcher to see the location you are calling from. This would be helpful in the event you have an emergency and are unable to speak. Currently with Phase I, the only information the dispatcher gets besides what the caller tells them is the caller’s phone number.

08/12/2026

THE VOICE BEHIND THE RESPONSE

Today, Vermilion Parish 911 dispatchers helped coordinate the emergency response to a structure fire at the former Abbeville Skating Rink on John Hardy Drive.

From the first report through the conclusion of the response, our dispatchers worked behind the scenes to dispatch fire departments, coordinate mutual-aid resources, relay critical information, monitor radio traffic, and help ensure responding agencies had the support they needed.

While our dispatchers may not be visible in photographs from an emergency scene, they remain connected to every part of the response, serving as the vital link between the public and the first responders working to protect our community.

Today’s response was another example of what can be accomplished when dispatchers, firefighters, law enforcement officers, and EMS professionals work together.

To every agency and dispatcher involved:
Thank you for answering the call!
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1J114sBmb1/

08/08/2026

911 History
In this week's 30 Year Celebration post, we begin by looking back to April 28, 1993. In an article published in the Abbeville Meridional, the Vermilion Parish Police Jury promotes the positives associated with having a 911 system in the parish ahead of the parish-wide vote on May 1, 1993.

Employee Spotlight
This week’s employee spotlight recognizes Melanie Jaggers. Melanie has been with the communications district for almost 3 years total. After a brief time away, Melanie returned providing top-notch service to the citizens and visitors of Vermilion Parish. When asked why she decided to become a 911 telecommunicator, she said, “I decided to become a dispatcher because helping people has always been important to me. I wanted a career where I could make a difference every day. Being able to stay calm, provide reassurance, and help get the right resources to people during an emergency is incredibly rewarding. Even on the hardest days, knowing I helped someone reminds me why I chose this profession.”

What is your favorite part about being a telecommunicator? Melanie answered, “My favorite part of dispatching is knowing that I can make a difference in someone's worst moment. I enjoy being the calm voice on the other end of the phone, helping callers through an emergency and making sure they get the right help as quickly as possible. Even though I'm not on the scene, I know what I do can truly save lives, and that's what makes this job so meaningful to me.”

Working at Vermilion 911 has given me memories I'll carry with me for the rest of my life. There were days filled with laughter, teamwork, and friendships that made even the busiest shifts more manageable. There were also difficult days—calls that challenged all of us and reminded me how important this work truly is.

One of the things I'll always remember is how we came together when it mattered most. We celebrated each other's successes, supported one another through tough calls, and leaned on each other during life's hardest moments. Those relationships meant more to me than words can express.

Working at Vermilion 911 helped shape me both personally and professionally. I'm grateful for the experiences, the lessons, and the people I had the privilege of working alongside. I'll always look back on my time there with appreciation and respect.

Thank you, Melanie, for your service!

Did you know?
In this week's Did you know series, we shed some light on the 911 telecommunicators, and the dedication it takes to be a part of this team. Each 911 telecommunicator must obtain two certifications, and complete extensive training hours on the dispatch center floor before they are cleared to work independently. Remember to thank a dispatcher the next time you see them around!

08/02/2026

Celebrating 30 Years of Serving Vermilion Parish

This week, we're taking another step back through the history of the Vermilion Parish Communications District as we celebrate 30 years of answering the call.

History Spotlight
Our historical feature comes from the March 22, 1991 edition of the Abbeville Meridional, highlighting the growing need for a centralized 911 Communications District in Vermilion Parish. At the time, community leaders recognized that a dedicated emergency communications system would improve response times, coordination, and public safety. That vision became a reality just a few years later and continues to serve our parish every hour of every day.

Dispatcher Spotlight – Ava Julian
This week's employee spotlight features Ava Julian. Ava is one of the dedicated professionals behind the scenes who answers the call when our community needs help most. Whether dispatching emergency responders or assisting callers during stressful situations, Ava's professionalism, compassion, and commitment help keep Vermilion Parish safe.

When asked why did she want to become a 911 Telecommunicator she said "I wanted to help the community in its time of need, even if no one knows it's me helping. It's that Superman/Spiderman, undercover hero feeling that I have grown to love."

"My favorite part about being a Telecommunicator is when I get to know the end results of a call I took, especially if it is a good outcome. The feeling that you were a part of getting someone the help they needed in that critical time is heartwarming, but also breathtaking at times."

Thank you, Ava, for your service and dedication to our community!

Did You Know?
The Vermilion Parish Communications District serves as the primary fire dispatch center for 14 fire departments protecting communities throughout Vermilion Parish. In addition, we also provide secondary dispatch services for the Klondike Volunteer Fire Department, whose response area spans both Vermilion and Cameron Parishes just west of Gueydan. Through close coordination with our fire service partners, we help ensure emergency resources are dispatched quickly and efficiently whenever they're needed.

As we continue celebrating 30 years of service, we're proud to honor the people, partnerships, and milestones that have shaped emergency communications in Vermilion Parish.

Thank you for allowing us to serve our community—24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.

#911

07/25/2026

Celebrating 30 Years of Service | Weekly Anniversary Series

As we continue celebrating 30 Years of Service, we're taking time each week to reflect on the history, the people, and the mission of the Vermilion Parish Communications District.

This week's anniversary highlights include:

Our history began long before the first 911 call was answered.

This week, we're featuring a letter dated January 22, 1991, from the Vermilion Parish Police Jury inviting local and state leaders to discuss bringing Enhanced 911 service to Vermilion Parish. Documents like this remind us that today's Communications District was built through the vision and dedication of community leaders who recognized the importance of a modern emergency communications system.

Every milestone has a beginning, and this letter marks one of the first steps toward the service we proudly provide today.

Did You Know?

Our telecommunicators answer an average of:
• About 80-100 calls each day
• About 2,576 calls each month
• And more than 31,000 calls each year

Every call represents someone counting on us during one of the most important moments of their lives. Behind every statistic is a person, a family, or a neighbor who needed help.

Employee Spotlight – Tara Shake

This week we're proud to recognize Tara Shake.

Since joining the Vermilion Parish Communications District in January 2026, Tara has become an important member of our team.

When asked what she enjoys most about being a telecommunicator, she shared:

“I like to help people. I like being part of a solution to their emergency!”

Tara said one thing that loves is talking to the children that are playing on a phone. Trying to get them to bring that phone to their momma is a struggle, but one that is worth it!

Thank you, Tara, for your dedication and commitment to serving the citizens of Vermilion Parish.

For 30 years, the Vermilion Parish Communications District has remained committed to answering the call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

As we celebrate this milestone anniversary, we look forward to sharing more stories, historic moments, employee spotlights, and interesting facts that showcase the people and events that have shaped our agency over the past three decades.

Thank you for being part of our journey.

07/24/2026

***NOTICE OF BRIDGE CLOSURE***

07/21/2026

Be the calm behind the call.

The Vermilion Parish Communications District is seeking reliable, composed, and service-minded individuals to join our team as 911 Telecommunicators.

As a Telecommunicator, you will serve as a vital communications link between the public and emergency responders throughout Vermilion Parish. Responsibilities include:

Answering emergency and non-emergency calls
Gathering accurate location and incident information
Dispatching fire departments and coordinating emergency resources
Monitoring multiple radio channels and communicating with responders
Entering and updating information in the Computer-Aided Dispatch system
Maintaining awareness of ongoing incidents, alarms, and severe weather
Assisting with addressing and location information used by emergency responders and NG911 systems

We are looking for candidates who can:

✅ Remain calm and communicate clearly under pressure
✅ Multitask, prioritize, and make sound decisions quickly
✅ Listen carefully and enter information accurately
✅ Maintain confidentiality and professionalism
✅ Work cooperatively as part of a public-safety team
✅ Demonstrate reliability and punctuality

Minimum qualifications:

• High school diploma or GED
• Ability to type at least 25 words per minute
• Ability to pass a background investigation and pre-employment drug screening
• Ability to work rotating shifts, including nights, weekends, and holidays
• Willingness to complete required training and maintain agency certifications

This is a demanding but meaningful career for someone who wants to serve the community and make a difference when it matters most.

Ready to answer the call? Apply today!

07/15/2026

Employee Spotlight

Today, on what would have been her birthday, it is only fitting that we begin our Employee Spotlight series by honoring Jolene Wheelock.

For nearly 20 years, Jolene faithfully served the citizens of Vermilion Parish as a 911 Telecommunicator. She was the calm voice in moments of crisis, the steady presence her coworkers relied on, and a dedicated public servant who answered every call with compassion, professionalism, and heart.

Jolene's impact reached far beyond the headset. She was a mentor, a teammate, a friend, and a United States military veteran whose life was defined by service to others. Her commitment to this profession and to our community will never be forgotten.

While we deeply miss her, we are grateful for the legacy she leaves behind, a legacy of kindness, dedication, and unwavering service. Her example continues to inspire us each day.

Happy Birthday, Jolene. Thank you for your years of faithful service, your friendship, and the difference you made in the lives of so many. Your voice may be silent, but your memory will always be heard within these walls.

Forever a member of the Vermilion Parish Communications District family.

07/14/2026

Celebrating 30 Years of Answering the Call

Thirty years ago, the citizens of Vermilion Parish made a commitment to the safety of their community by supporting the creation of an Enhanced 911 system. Following years of planning, parish-wide addressing, equipment installation, and extensive testing, the Vermilion Parish Communications District officially began operations on September 3, 1996.

Today, we are proud to begin celebrating 30 Years of Service.

Over the next several weeks, we'll take you behind the scenes of your 911 Communications Center, share the history of emergency communications in Vermilion Parish, recognize the dedicated dispatchers and community partners who make our mission possible, and highlight the technology and teamwork that help connect our citizens to emergency services every day.

For three decades, our telecommunicators have been the calm voice on the other end of the line during life's most critical moments. Every day, our communications center operates 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, ensuring that when someone dials 911, help is only a phone call away.

What began as a vision in 1993 has grown into a modern emergency communications center that now answers an average of of around 2,300 calls each month, serving the citizens and visitors of Vermilion Parish while dispatching the parish's 15 fire departments and connecting callers with law enforcement and emergency medical services.

As we count down to our official 30th Anniversary on September 3, 2026, we invite you to celebrate with us as we honor our past, recognize those who have served, and look forward to the future of emergency communications in Vermilion Parish.

Thank you for your continued trust and support over the past 30 years.

30 Years of Answering the Call.
Serving Vermilion Parish Since 1996.

Address

Abbeville, LA
70510

Opening Hours

Monday	7am - 4pm
Tuesday	7am - 4pm
Wednesday	7am - 4pm
Thursday	7am - 4pm
Friday	7am - 4pm

Telephone

+13378984350

Website

http://www.vermilion911.org/

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