Katherine Speidel – a Chester County Department of Emergency Services (DES) 9-1-1 Telecommunicator since 2019 – was recently named a recipient of the Gold Line Telecommunicator Scholarship by the National Emergency Number Association (NENA). The scholarship is awarded to 9-1-1 professionals across the country whose hard work, commitment, and dedication to public service have been exceptional.

BJ Meadowcroft, DES Deputy Director for 9-1-1 Operations, said, “Kate is an excellent example of who people expect to get when they call 9-1-1 in an emergency – someone reassuring, knowledgeable, and dependable. Everyone on the DES team admires Kate’s professionalism and cheery demeanor. We are very proud of her for this national recognition.”

NENA is a non-profit organization focused on improving the 9-1-1 service by developing standards for technology and operations, informing policymakers about 9-1-1 issues, and educating 9-1-1 professionals and the public.

The scholarship provides for Speidel’s attendance – plus a $1,000 travel stipend – at NENA 2023, the group’s annual conference and expo in Grapevine, Texas, in June.

Learn more at the County of Chester.