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9 <br /> 1 ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS <br /> 2 PROCLAMATION RECOGNIZING AND HONORING <br /> 3 DINAH L. JEFFRIES, <br /> 4 RETIRING DIRECTOR, ORANGE COUNTY EMERGENCY SERVICES <br /> 5 <br /> 6 WHEREAS, in 1983, Ms. Jeffries embarked on a career of public service by joining the <br /> 7 Emergency Management Department as a full-time 9-1-1 Telecommunicator; and <br /> 8 WHEREAS, in 1988, Ms. Jeffries was promoted to serve as a Communications Shift <br /> 9 Leader, an Emergency Management Training Specialist in 1993, and the <br /> 10 Communications Operations Manager in 2007; and <br /> 11 WHEREAS, in 2016, Dinah Jeffries made history by becoming the first woman and first <br /> 12 woman of color to be charged with leading the Orange County Emergency Services <br /> 13 Department; and <br /> 14 WHEREAS throughout her distinguished career, Dinah has helped to advance the 9-1-1 <br /> 15 system throughout Orange County with the implementation of advanced technologies and <br /> 16 national protocols for EMS, Fire, and Police dispatch; and <br /> 17 WHEREAS, Ms. Jeffries has served as a faithful advocate, representing both the Orange <br /> 18 County community and the State of North Caroling by serving on the North Carolina 911 Board <br /> 19 and the North Carolina Chapter of the Association of Public Safety Officials (APCO) Executive <br /> 20 Board; and <br /> 21 WHEREAS, as Director, Ms. Jeffries provided invaluable mentorship, led the effort to <br /> 22 create the local Peer Support program for first responders, and exemplified steady <br /> 23 leadership in challenging times, including guiding the County's response to the 2020 <br /> 24 COVID-19 Pandemic ; and <br /> 25 WHEREAS, Dinah's work in Orange County has ensured that the Emergency Services <br /> 26 Department is diverse and thriving and is capable of sustaining such for generations to <br /> 27 come; and <br /> 28 WHEREAS, Ms. Jeffries is retiring from Orange County on December 31, 2020, after 37 <br /> 29 years in service to our communities, and will be missed; <br /> 30 NOW THEREFORE, we, the Orange County Board of Commissioners, do hereby <br /> 31 recognize and express deep appreciation and respect for the services rendered by Dinah <br /> 32 Jeffries to the Orange County community, and wish her well in her retirement. <br /> 33 This the 15th day of December 2020. <br /> 34 <br /> 35 Renee Price, Chair <br /> 36 Orange County Board of Commissioners <br /> 37 <br /> 38 A motion was made by Chair Price, seconded by Commissioner McKee to approve the <br /> 39 proclamation. <br /> 40 <br /> 41 Roll call ensued <br /> 42 <br /> 43 VOTE: UNANIMOUS <br /> 44 <br /> 45 Commissioner McKee said he has enjoyed walking alongside Dinah Jeffries, and <br /> 46 appreciated her ever-calming presence in difficult times. <br /> 47 Commissioner Dorosin expressed his thanks and said she will be greatly missed. <br /> 48 Dinah Jeffries said this is humbling and emotional, and she does not enjoy being in the <br /> 49 spotlight. She thanked everyone for their support of her department, and acceptance of her as <br />