Inside INdigital: 10 things we are grateful for in 2020
Guest blog written by
Laken Detweiler
Social Media Specialist - INdigital
Let’s be authentic here, 2020 was crazy. It wasn’t the year we planned or even hoped for, but that’s life. We don’t always get to pick what comes our way. Despite all of the unexpected, you all adapted and the industry adapted. We went from in-person meetings to online meetings, and from in-person conferences to online conferences, where people from all over got to join in. People who don’t typically have the opportunity to attend in-person conferences got to join in this year, allowing many of you to be first-time attendees.
Today we want to show some gratitude and highlight why we are grateful for 2020. Here are 10 things that made us grateful for this year:
1. WE GOT BIGGER
In 2020, we added both full-time staff and interns to our INdigital/RPSS staff, a total of 15 people to be exact. From market managers to field technicians to projects managers and everything in between. We did this to serve you better and to make sure there are people near and far to best support you.
2. DARE TO BE GREAT
Not only was there one Dare to Be Great conference, there were TWO! Ricardo and Within the Trenches did a phenomenal job on the first go-around in the spring, and so many of you showed up to watch. In the fall, we got to see round two of Dare to be Great, and it did not disappoint! We decided to be a diamond sponsor because we stand behind you. Many of our team members at INdigital were 911 dispatchers, directors, or first-responders in various capacities. They’ve been in your shoes. They’ve walked the road you’re on, or at least one that is similar. DTBG put so many great resources in front of so many of you, plus we were able to learn things from all of you, and we are grateful for that.
3. THE TECHNICAL THINGS
Our team worked hard and efficiently throughout the year. We put in RFPs across the country to become a full-service 911 provider in new locations, as well as maintain our presence in current areas. At the start of the year, we were approved as a 911 provider in South Carolina.
4. MEVO ANYWHERE KITS AND THE PANDEMIC
Whew! So many of you looked to MEVO Anywhere Kits during 2020. Some of you utilized it as a remote PSAP to social distance telecommunicators and split calls between a primary PSAP and a remote PSAP. Others put your MEVO to use while your primary PSAP was being disinfected so you could continue to help your callers and stay germ-free!
5. A PIECE OF OUR HISTORY
This year, we retired our EWSD central office switch. It was purchased in 1998 and had served us for over 20 years. What once took up a large part of the room can now be held with two hands. Technology is crazy and ever-evolving. Mark Grady was on hand, as were Jim Doty, Steve Lantz, Eric Hartman, and Lee Von Gunten as we decommissioned the switch.
6. UNIQUE TEXTY USAGE
After some severe weather in Alabama, Chilton County utilized Texty, our text-FOR-911 solution, to dispatch road crews. Doing this allowed the phone lines to be left open for callers who needed help, but still allowed the telecommunicators to dispatch road crews.
7. COMING TOGETHER.
COVID-19 postponed the Alabama NENA conference, then it was delayed by a hurricane, but folks still came together in spite of all these things. Conferences are always a great chance to network and learn how the industry is growing and changing. This year was a challenging year to do it in person, but different entities in Alabama worked together to put on a safe mini NENA conference for their people. Despite bumps in the road, telecommunicators and directors could safely gather to hear from one another and various vendors.
8. ACROSS STATE LINES
In November, Alabama transferred a call across state lines to Georgia to help the caller receive the assistance they needed.
9. THANK YOU FOR BEING A LEADER
Just because the world stopped doesn’t mean public safety stops. If anything, you have all worked even harder to serve your community and its callers. As the pandemic moved to full force, you all stepped up. It may not have been easy as co-workers were impacted with COVID-19, but you did it, and that’s what leaders do. They step up to lend that extra hand. They make sure things get done despite the circumstances. You are brave, and you are strong. Thank you for going the extra mile.
10. 25 YEARS LATER…
In 1995, INdigital was formed by a group of independent telephone companies who wanted to participate in the upcoming PCS spectrum auction. INdigital started operating as a competitive local provider in the Allen County market area, serving small to medium-sized businesses with integrated voice and data services. Now we are a full-service public safety provider serving millions of people and hundreds of public safety answering points.
It’s been a crazy year, but there are still things to look back on and be grateful for. Even if this year was tough for you, find the positive in it, find the joy. What’s one thing you can pull out of 2020 that you are grateful for? Please share it on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn using #InsideGratitude.