Orange County NC Website
Browse       Search
8 <br /> 1 Dinah Jeffries began her career of service with Orange County in 1983 as a temporary youth <br /> 2 counselor in a summer program with the Recreation Department. Three months later, Dinah <br /> 3 started her public safety journey when she was hired as Telecommunicator with the Emergency <br /> 4 Services department. Dinah was promoted to a Communications Shift Leader in 1988, a role <br /> 5 she served in for five years until transferring to a training position. In 2007, Dinah assumed the <br /> 6 role of Communication Operations Manager and lead the 9-1-1 Communications Division <br /> 7 through the implementation of new technologies, adoption of national protocols, and a re-design <br /> 8 of the current center at Meadowlands Drive. <br /> 9 <br /> 10 Dinah Jeffries made history in 2016 when she became the first woman and the first woman of <br /> 11 color charged with leading the Emergency Services department. In 2020, Ms. Jeffries provided <br /> 12 invaluable leadership in guiding the Countywide response to the COVID-19 Pandemic alongside <br /> 13 Health Director, Quintana Stewart. In addition to her service to Orange County, Dinah also <br /> 14 made significant contributions to her profession by serving as a board member to the North <br /> 15 Carolina 911 Board and the NC Chapter of the Association of Public Safety Communication <br /> 16 Officials (APCO) Executive Board. For 37 years, Dinah Jeffries has led with integrity, <br /> 17 compassion, professionalism and unwavering dedication to her communities and those she had <br /> 18 been charged to lead. <br /> 19 <br /> 20 RECOMMENDATION(S): <br /> 21 The Manager recommends that the Board approve and authorize the Chair to sign the attached <br /> 22 proclamation recognizing and expressing appreciation to Dinah Jeffries for her service to the <br /> 23 people of Orange County and wishing her well in her retirement. <br /> 24 <br /> 25 Kim Woodward, Emergency Medical Services Operations Manager, said it has been her <br /> 26 honor to serve with Dinah Jeffries, and she has been a mentor to her. She said Dinah Jeffries is <br /> 27 simply the best, and she wished her well in her retirement. <br /> 28 Lysa May, Administration Officer, said all previous comments are completely true, and <br /> 29 she wished Dinah Jeffries the best. <br /> 30 Jason Shepherd, Fire Marshall, reiterated comments previously made, and said Dinah <br /> 31 Jeffries is an incredible leader. He said he hoped to call her friend for many years to come. <br /> 32 Kevin Medlin, Communications Operations Manager, said he is one of the few people <br /> 33 left who grew up with Dinah Jeffries. He thanked her for her leadership and mentorship. <br /> 34 Jeryl Anderson said working with Dinah Jeffries is one of the best decisions she has <br /> 35 ever made, and thanked her for her friendship and mentorship over the years. She wished her <br /> 36 well in the future. <br /> 37 Sheriff Charles Blackwood said he and Dinah Jeffries grew up together in the County, <br /> 38 and it has been his honor to serve alongside her. He said her leadership in Emergency <br /> 39 Services has been exceptional. He said she and her staff are knowledgeable, prepared and <br /> 40 professional. He said she has been a friend and confidant, and he will miss her greatly in his <br /> 41 daily working life. He said everyone works towards retirement, and it should be celebrated, but <br /> 42 he is selfishly very sad to see her go. He said he is thankful she will be nearby. <br /> 43 <br /> 44 Chair Price read the following proclamation: <br /> 45 <br />