Eaton County employees receive Michigan Chapter of the Association of Public-Safety Communication Officials (MI-APCO) state recognition
Two Eaton County employees, Kelley Cunningham, Central Dispatch Director and Nathan Nighbert, Technology Services Deputy Director were recently notified by MI-APCO of their recognition. “It is pleasing to see Eaton County employees recognized for their hard work and dedication by their colleagues and peers throughout the state,” says Controller/Administrator John Fuentes.
Kelley Cunningham was named 911 Director of the Year by the Michigan Chapter of the Association of Public-Safety Communication Officials (MI-APCO). Sandra Nielsen, Immediate Past President of MI-APCO, stated in a letter to 911 Director Cunningham, “We at MI-APCO are proud to honor dedicated public safety professionals like you who make a difference every day.”
Cunningham was named Director of Eaton County Central Dispatch (ECCD) in 2021.
She has been with Eaton County for almost sixteen (16) years and has previously held positions of Public Safety Telecommunicator, Communications Training Officer, Supervisor, and Deputy Director. According to Supervisor Elizabeth Howland, “Kelley goes above and beyond to ensure 911 is seen by the community and recognized for our role in the safety of our citizens. She strives to make sure we are included in training scenarios, debriefs for major incidents, and involved in public events in our communities.”
ECCD serves 13 fire departments, 8 law enforcement agencies, and 6 EMS agencies in the county. The center answers an average of 150,000 calls per year. ECCD is an innovative center that utilizes many emerging technologies.
Separately, Nathan Nighbert was also named 911 Information Technologist of the Year by MI-APCO. Sandra Nielsen, Immediate Past President of MI-APCO, stated in a letter to Technology Services Deputy Director Nighbert, “We at MI-APCO are proud to honor dedicated public safety professionals like you who make a difference every day.”
Nighbert was named Deputy Director of Eaton County Technology Services in 2021. He has been with Eaton County for over ten (10) years and has previously held positions as PC Technician and Network Administrator. According to Technology
Services Director Daley, “Nathan is one of the most passionate people I have ever met when it comes to technology and how technology can aid and assist our public safety community. He constantly strives to make himself, as well as others around him, better educated in overall public safety operations.”
Eaton County Technology Services is responsible for technology-related operations for 24-hour public safety entities, the general county government departments, and a multi-county public health department.
Both Nighbert and Cunningham have advanced within the County organization during their careers and were recently promoted to leadership positions of greater responsibility. “Their recognition at this time demonstrates their continued efforts to excel within their profession,” Fuentes said.
The awards will officially be presented on October 27th at a statewide ceremony in
Frankenmuth, Michigan.