July 28, 2025 | 2:00–3:00 p.m.
Cortney Lyskoski, POST Certified General Topics Instructor, Ada County Sheriff’s Office
Cortney Lyskoski of the Ada County Sheriff’s Office delivered a passionate and practical presentation on the importance of 9-1-1 public education, drawing from her years of experience developing and expanding Ada County’s education program. Since 2018, Lyskoski has grown the program from two dispatch instructors to seventeen, providing outreach to a wide range of audiences from children to seniors, and including diverse communities. Her presentation served as both a motivational call to action and a practical guide for those looking to build or improve their own public education initiatives.
Lyskoski emphasized that many members of the public — and even public safety professionals — still do not understand the dispatcher’s role. “It’s about empowering our community,” she said, highlighting how education can break down myths about 9-1-1. Examples of these misconceptions, gathered from audience participation, included the belief that 9-1-1 automatically knows a caller’s location, or that emergency help is delayed while questions are asked. Lyskoski explained how addressing these myths head-on is a critical first step in changing public perception and building trust.
The session also covered the importance of professionalism and branding. Lyskoski encouraged agencies to set clear standards for appearance and messaging, noting that presenters represent not just their agency but all telecommunicators. She also identified that there is a role individuals can play in the program, even if they don’t like public speaking, such as support roles at events or one-on-one engagement with the public, which is just as valuable.
Lyskoski shared impactful language to help frame the dispatcher’s role in a powerful way. Dispatchers, she said, are “the first-first responders,” “hope-givers,” and “the light in someone’s darkness.” She also provided a series of actionable tips:
- Start small.
- Use existing resources — don’t reinvent the wheel.
- Identify communities who need outreach most (e.g., medical professionals, seniors, children).
- Engage community leaders to amplify the program’s reach and credibility.
- Incorporate interactive elements like ECC tours, K9 demos and drone team presentations to boost engagement.
This session was a standout example of how passion, structure, and strategy can work together to inform and inspire. Lyskoski’s insights made it clear that public education is not just an option, it’s a necessity for strengthening the connection between emergency communications and the communities they serve.
Written by Jessica Milliken, ENP, CMCP
