911 ACOG EDUCATION COORDINATOR PRESENTS AT CONFERENCES FEATURING NATIONAL EXPERTISE IN EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS
Kristin Gonul, 911 ACOG Education Coordinator for the 911 Institute for Oklahoma at the Association of Central Oklahoma Governments (ACOG) was recently invited to present at two conferences focused on emergency communications and targeted violence prevention. Her sessions showcased the leadership of the 911 Institute for Oklahoma in public safety training and reinforced the critical role 911 dispatchers play in both crisis response and early intervention.
ELEVATING DISPATCHERS IN VIOLENCE PREVENTION EFFORTS
Gonul was a featured presenter at a targeted violence prevention event hosted by the U.S. Secret Service and the National Threat Assessment Center (NTAC), which brought national-level expertise to a statewide audience in Oklahoma. This high-level event focused on behavioral threat assessment and featured insights from law enforcement, emergency professionals, and federal agencies.
Her session, titled “The Role of Dispatchers in Targeted Violence Prevention,” emphasized how 911 telecommunicators are often the first to spot behavioral warning signs during emergency calls—offering a critical opportunity to prevent violence before it escalates.
Kristin shared how dispatchers:
- Gather and disseminate real-time information
- Prioritize calls based on urgency
- Provide pre-arrival instructions to citizens and responders
- Coordinate response across agencies
- Maintain accurate documentation that can support investigations
Her presentation reinforced a powerful message: dispatchers are not just call takers, they are first responders who play an essential role in public safety infrastructure.
ADDRESSING GENERATIONAL CHALLENGES IN THE 911 WORKFORCE
Gonul also spoke at the Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials (APCO) International Annual Conference, one of the most prestigious gatherings of public safety communication professionals in the country. In her session, “Managing a Multigenerational Workforce,” she explored the real-world dynamics of leading 911 teams composed of Baby Boomers, Gen X, Millennials, and Gen Z.
Drawing from her frontline experience training dispatchers across Central Oklahoma, she offered practical guidance on:
- Communicating effectively across age groups
- Managing differences in work expectations and learning styles
- Encouraging mentorship between senior and newer team members
- Retaining talent and improving collaboration in high-stress environments
Her talk resonated with center managers seeking to strengthen team cohesion and leadership strategies in today’s evolving workforce.
The 911 Institute of Oklahoma: A Statewide Leader in Training
All of Kristin Gonul’s training work is conducted through the 911 Institute of Oklahoma, a program founded by ACOG in 1994 to offer emergency dispatchers top-quality, affordable, and nationally accredited training—a much-needed alternative to costly out-of-state programs.
Over the last decade, the Institute has:
- Trained over 1,200 dispatchers
- Conducted more than 225 classes
- Facilitated national certifications for over 550 dispatchers
With nearly three decades of continuous operation, the 911 Institute is widely viewed as the state’s model for emergency communications training, serving as the primary resource for dispatcher education across Oklahoma.
“Kristin’s presence at both of these national events highlights the depth of expertise and leadership we have here at ACOG,” Mark W. Sweeney, AICP, ACOG Executive Director said. “The 911 Institute of Oklahoma continues to shape the future of emergency response training—not just in Central Oklahoma, but across the state and beyond—through its commitment to excellence, accessibility, and nationally accredited instruction.”
LEARN MORE
To explore dispatcher training opportunities or to learn more about the 911 Institute of Oklahoma, visit here.