Selfless. Kind. Compassionate. These attributes remained the repeated characteristics used to describe the recipient of the First Responder of the Year award at the Premiere Chevrolet GMC of Littlefield.
Honored at the second annual First Responders Luncheon, Ann Robison, a 911 telecommunicator for the Lamb County Sheriff’s Office, became Littlefield’s first award recipient on Oct. 16.
“Working side-by-side with Ann, you know that we are going to get everything done,” Bertha ‘Birdy’ Coronado, the telecommunications supervisor for the Lamb County Sheriff’s Office, said. “She is absolutely the calm in the chaos– that’s just Ann in a nutshell. In the worst time of your life, she’s going to bring you back and give you hope, because that’s what she does.”
Presented through teary-eyed speeches, Ann’s colleagues and employees of Premier Chevrolet of Littlefield showered her with praise and honored her devotion to the team.
“You are truly heaven-sent,” Coronado said, presenting the award with tears falling from her face. “She is my right hand, and I thank God every day for you. We thank you for all you have done and will do for this county.”
Highlighting the significant role of a dispatcher, Premier Chevrolet of Littlefield General Manager Rick Martinez said awarding Ann with this honor is merely enough in comparison to the work she does for Lamb County.
“You do such a good job that over time, it becomes expected,” Martinez said, “we just want to say that it’s not expected – we’re blessed.”
Starting in March of 2006, Robison volunteered with EMS to help members of the community, believing this existed as her true calling. This sentiment always drove her to continue working for the county, Ann said.
Then, in Nov. of 2012, Ann joined the dispatching team, where she met Coronado.
Described as one person’s worst day is a dispatcher’s work day, serving the community as a dispatcher unearths a variety of psychological challenges; however, Robison said validating a caller’s emotions and calming them down is the most important aspect of the job.
“ It’s different every day,” Robison said. “Some calls, you can hear somebody screaming in the background because they’ve found somebody or they’ve got a baby that’s choking, or they’re scared. You have to stay calm for them and help them understand that somebody cares and that we’re here to help them.”
Moreover, hearing someone on the line that she recognizes also poses challenges. Regardless, Robison said she remains calm to avoid stirring up emotions for an already heavy situation.
“If I get a 911 call and I know that person on the other end, I can’t let them know,” Robison said. “I have to stay calm and collected and not let my emotions take over. I go ahead and get them the help that they need and then later on, when I talk to people, I know that they’re thankful.”
Emphasizing the business’ initiatives as a reliable and supportive outlet for the community, Marking Director of Premier Auto Group of Texas Joe Landin said hosting luncheons and other honoring events commemorates the dedication of those who may not always receive the recognition.
In this case, honoring the work of first responders also served as a time away from the reality of their work, Landin said. In addition to the First Responder of the Year award, the dealership awarded the Lamb County Sheriff’s Office $500.
“We’re happy we have an event where they all responded today to come here to have lunch with us,” Landin said. “Maybe, today was the good day – because I’m sure that most of their days have some real difficulty in them.”
Additionally, Landin echoed the sentiments of Robison’s colleagues when speaking on her character.
“She’s really calms everyone,” Landin said, starting to get emotional. “To listen to what her colleagues had to say about her … if anything ever happens to me, I want that person on the other line.”
Reflecting on her role in the community, Robison said she plans to continue helping the county in the coming years until her retirement.
Until then, Coronado said Robison continues to act selflessly and sociably toward every member of Lamb County.
“She is the one that’s going to reach out to the wallflower,” Coronado said. “She’s the one that’s going to see that one person that’s standing awkwardly in a corner, and she’s going to go talk to you and she’s just going to make you feel at home.”
Standing in the Chevrolet dealership, Robison held her award against her body and adorned a wide smile. With each congratulation she received, her smile grew wider.