By Sheri Trusty, Seneca County Sheriff’s Office Public Relations Coordinator
Posted on the Seneca County Sheriff’s Office Facebook page on February 13, 2026.
Every minute of every shift is different and unpredictable in the Seneca County Sheriff’s Office Communications Center, where dispatchers field calls on everything from house fires to automobile accidents. When Seneca County Commissioner Bill Frankart visited Dispatch for a couple of hours on Feb. 13, there were no emergency calls. Nevertheless, Dispatcher Amy Skeel fielded several nonemergency calls, and the commissioner walked away with a new understanding of communication operations and a greater appreciation for the dispatchers.
Commissioner Frankart spent time observing Dispatcher Skeel at work to gain a greater knowledge of communications. New Dispatch trainee, Randi Casey, also observed Dispatcher Skeel in preparation to join the team.
“It’s always intrigued me to see what happens when calls come in,” Commissioner Frankart said. “This helped me better understand the scope of their work.”
While Commissioner Frankart was in the office, Dispatcher Skeel fielded a variety of nonemergency calls, and she explained that sometimes residents call when they are in an emotional crisis, even though they are not facing any danger. Through her phone, Dispatcher Skeel steps into the situation and provides a friendly voice that helps them regain a better perspective.
Her calm influence transforms the person’s day and can prevent the need for a deputy to respond.
“She talks them down and sometimes diverts the situation,” said Seneca County Sheriff Fredrick Stevens. “The dispatchers take a lot of nonemergency calls.”
Dispatcher Skeel is the Terminal Agency Coordinator (TAC) in the Communications Center, where she oversees all Law Enforcement Automated Data Systems (LEADS) operations. Her compassion has not waned in her nearly 30 years as a dispatcher, and Commissioner Frankart had the opportunity to listen as she responded in kindness to a caller who simply needed a friendly voice to talk to.
But the commissioner understands that there are moments when the dispatchers are the voice of calm in emergency chaos as well.
“The dispatchers are on the front line of emergencies,” Commissioner Frankart said. “They have to respond with quick reactions to all kinds of different circumstances.”
Commissioner Frankart learned a lot about Dispatch during his visit and was surprised to discover that dispatchers can view the entire Sheriff’s Office inside and outside while also observing the interior entrance to the Seneca County Justice Center, where deputies work court security.
The commissioner was impressed by the technology that allows dispatchers to see, on a big screen, where a call originates. They can follow the deputies’ patrol cars to the scene, so the dispatchers always know exactly where help is needed and how quickly it is arriving.
“That’s just amazing that they can pinpoint where the calls come from. That definitely helps increase safety in the community,” Commissioner Frankart said.
The commissioner had the opportunity to see the new, larger computer screens that the Commissioners’ Office helped fund. The screens allow the dispatchers to work more efficiently.
“The county IT department helped enhance technology at the Sheriff’s Office, and we provide funding to keep their technology updated,” Commissioner Frankart said. “It’s always good to see that in action.”
Sheriff Stevens was thankful that Commissioner Frankart took the time to visit Dispatch and learn more about the vital and difficult work the dispatchers do for the community.
“It’s always beneficial to have the commissioners see the day-to-day operations of what the Sheriff’s Office does,” he said.