For the past decade, local residents have come to rely on three digits when emergency strikes: 9-1-1.

The Lawrence County 911 center celebrated its 10th anniversary Thursday. The center opened up its phone lines July 3, 1996, offering people a simplified way to call fire, police and ambulance personnel.

Don Mootz, director of 911 and the county emergency management agency, said he is proud of what the center has accomplished and the lives that his dispatchers have saved.

“We have a dedicated team who have a calling to help people,” Mootz said. “Many of them were here when we opened and they’ve stayed with me.”

There are 12 dispatchers who man the center. Of those, eight have been on the job since 911 went online.

The center serves as what is called a “public service answering port,” which means they answer all calls that come when someone dials 911, and then they transfer it to the appropriate agency.

On its first day in operation, just about two hours after going online, the initial calls dispatchers received were from those on the scene of the fire at Ohio River Fireworks in Scottown that killed nine people. That day was one that all the dispatchers who worked at the center at the time say will be etched in their minds forever, especially since the fire’s anniversary coincides with the center’s opening.

“That was one that we still think about,” said Janet Baker, the dispatcher who took the calls during the Scottown fire. “‘The fireworks place is on fire,’ that’s what they said. I will never forget those words. It was just chaos after that trying to get help dispatched to them.”

Baker said anytime there is a fatality; she takes it home with her at the end of the day. But, she said, she enjoys the days when she is able to help people and make a difference in their lives.

“I love to help my community,” said Baker, who is also a lieutenant with the Proctorville Volunteer Fire Department. “It’s just a part of my life.”

Mickee Fry, a 10-year veteran, described her and her co-workers as “adrenaline junkies.” She said it takes a special kind of person to be a dispatcher.

“You just have to turn the emotional part off,” Fry said “You just have to concentrate on helping people and getting them calmed down enough to dispatch help.”

Lawrence County Commissioner Jason Stephens said many times people take 911 for granted and do not realize what an asset it is to the community.

“There are a lot of people alive today because of the work of the 911 dispatchers,” Stephens said. “It is hard to know how many lives have been saved and what an impact 911 has made in the community.”

In addition to Baker and Fry, Gina Delong, Carl Whitley, Doug Ridenour, Tim Maddy and Lonnie Best were honored Thursday for 10 years of service. Other dispatchers are: Ray Jones, who has served nine years; James Woda, five years; Tony Wilson, six years; and Shawn Webb, two years.