By 1808Delaware
When an emergency strikes in Delaware County, seconds matter. The County’s Emergency Communications Department, DelComm, is often the first point of contact for those in need. With the announcement of Lauren Yankanin as the new director, effective Aug. 29, DelComm prepares for a new chapter in its vital service.
Yankanin is no stranger to emergency communications. She has spent 19 years in the field, beginning her career as a 9-1-1 dispatcher for Dublin, later becoming the communications manager for the City of Dublin’s Northwest Regional Emergency Communications Center. Her academic credentials are equally impressive, boasting undergraduate degrees in sociology and criminology from The Ohio State University and a Master’s in Public Administration from Kent State University.
The vacancy Yankanin will fill was created in early July, with the departure of previous director Patrick Brandt. Finding the right fit for this role was no small task, and the fact that Yankanin lives in Delaware County was an added advantage.
“This is an essential service that every Delaware County resident, business owner, and visitor depends on in a time of emergency when they call 9-1-1,” said Delaware County Commissioner and 9-1-1 Board member Gary Merrell. “We all knew Patrick would be hard to replace. To find Lauren, who has the skills needed to lead our team and who is already familiar with our operation, was great. And the fact she already lives in our County is an unexpected bonus. We and all of our stakeholders are extremely fortunate.”
Under Yankanin’s leadership, the center, which employs nearly 30 dispatchers and technical personnel, will continue its vital work. DelComm’s recent achievements include processing over 102,000 calls in 2022, with an incredible 99.7% of those answered within 10 seconds, far outpacing the national industry standard of 90%.
Moreover, the Delaware County 9-1-1 Center has been nationally accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies since 2019. It is one of only a few centers in the U.S., and the seventh in Ohio, to receive this distinction, following a comprehensive two-year vetting process.
Lauren Yankanin’s appointment signals a continued commitment to excellence and reassurance that the lifeline of emergency communication in Delaware County remains strong. Residents, business owners, and visitors can take comfort knowing that DelComm, under Yankanin’s leadership, will continue to be a reliable and swift responder to their calls in times of need.
For more information about the Delaware County 9-1-1 Center, visit their website at: https://emergencycomms.co.delaware.oh.us/.
Image by Artur Pawlak from Pixabay
