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