Corvallis Dispatcher Receives Life Saver Award
Heidi Ferguson, a 9-1-1 lead dispatcher with the Corvallis Regional Communications Center, has received the Lifesaving Award from Oregon APCO/NENA, the statewide professional organization that supports 9-1-1 dispatch networks throughout Oregon.
The award was in recognition of Ferguson’s exemplary performance during a residential fire in March 2019 in downtown Corvallis. As firefighters battled the blaze, Ferguson made contact with a woman trapped on the third floor of the burning building. Through careful coaching and coordination, Ferguson was able to guide the woman out onto the roof of the building, where she was rescued by a firefighter who climbed a ladder to reach her.
The dramatic moment was captured on video by a passerby, and the video was later used in an award-winning mini-documentary video about the incident.
“Heidi performed admirably in a stressful, high-stakes situation,” said Scott Haberkorn, manager of the Corvallis Regional Communications Center. “Dispatchers don’t usually get the chance to coach someone through a rescue like this, from start to finish.”
Ferguson is a veteran 9-1-1 dispatcher, having worked in the industry for 28 years, and in Corvallis since 1994. In her spare time, she likes spending time with her family, tackling home improvement projects around the house, and cheering on her kids as they participate in various sports.
The Corvallis Regional Communications Center provides 9-1-1 emergency telecommunications and dispatch services for all of Benton County, an area of about 726 square miles. This includes services to the following public emergency agencies:
- Adair Rural Fire Protection District
- Alsea Rural Fire Protection District
- Benton County Sheriff’s Office
- Blodgett Rural Fire Protection District
- Corvallis Fire Department (Including the Corvallis Rural Fire Protection District)
- Corvallis Police Department
- Hoskins/Kings Valley Rural Fire Protection District
- Monroe Rural Fire Protection District
- Philomath Police Department
- Philomath Rural Fire Protection District
For more information on 9-1-1 services in Corvallis, go to www.corvallisoregon.gov/police/page/9-1-1-dispatch.
