This National First Responder’s Day, we are proud to celebrate three exceptional 911 telecommunicators from Anderson County, South Carolina––Derek Kennedy, Zachary McMillion, and Kacey Rogers. Today, we announced that these heroic individuals have been awarded RapidDeploy’s prestigious Superstar Award in recognition of their skillful responses to high-stakes incidents and strategic use of our advanced NG911 tools.
For 911 telecommunicators, every call is a pivotal moment where decisions made can potentially save a life. In the face of intense pressure, Derek, Zachary, and Kacey rose to the challenge, showcasing the profound impact of quick, decisive action. Utilizing RapidDeploy’s technology and their expertise, they effectively coordinated life-saving responses during unpredictable incidents. We are honored to recognize their extraordinary efforts on this important day. Read on to learn more about their heroic actions!
In a volatile situation involving an armed suspect evading law enforcement across multiple jurisdictions, Derek Kennedy and Zachary McMillion showed teamwork and resourcefulness. Working together, Zachary used RapidDeploy’s Radius Mapping communication tools to locate and contact the suspect’s ex-spouse, securing important contact information for the suspect. From there, Zachary leveraged RapidDeploy’s RapidLocate to determine the suspect’s location, and initiated contact through both text messages and a voice call. Derek’s coordination of law enforcement resources was pivotal in bringing the standoff to a peaceful outcome.
In another intense emergency, Derek and Zachary used non-voice communication to guide students barricaded in a classroom through a high-stakes ordeal. UsingRapidDeploy’s Radius Mapping, they connected with students via text, receiving real-time updates and even photos from the scene. They guided students through the ordeal, helping to ensure the safety of everyone involved. Their resourceful response earned them the 2024 Crime Stoppers award in addition to the Superstar recognition.
Kacey Rogers, Anderson County’s Assistant Supervisor, displayed composure and creative thinking during a medical emergency on Lake Hartwell. When Kacey received a transferred call reporting a boating accident, she swiftly jumped into action. Despite missing location data from the transferred call, Kacey tried alternative resources and then quickly pivoted to RapidDeploy’s tools, which helped her to successfully pinpoint the boat’s location. Her efforts ensured a coordinated response with Hart County 911, ultimately enabling the safe rescue and medical care of two patients.
The Superstar Award honors telecommunicators who have gone above and beyond in using RapidDeploy technology to protect their communities. Since its creation, the award has recognized 911 heroes from across the country. Derek, Zachary, and Kacey join a distinguished group, each one exemplifying the highest standards of public safety service.
RapidDeploy’s CEO Steve Raucher reflected, “The dedication shown by our Superstar Award recipients reminds us why we developed these tools in the first place—to give first responders the resources they need to make critical decisions that save lives. We are immensely proud to honor Derek, Zachary, and Kacey on this important day.”
If you or a team member have been part of a heroic 911 call and leveraged RapidDeploy’s technology, we’d love to hear about it! You can submit a save story here.
Watch The Superstar Award Ceremony!
In recognition of these heroic individuals from Anderson County, Steve Raucher and the RapidDeploy team recently presented their Superstar Award during a live ceremony. We invite you to watch the video below to hear firsthand accounts of their life-saving actions and witness the inspiring moments that showcase their commitment to public safety!
To read more, please visit our press release here.
