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By  Gillian Stawiszynski

Contributing Writer

After being hit with disastrous flooding, Jessamine County E911 stepped up to assist Prestonsburg in a crucial shortage.

Prestonsburg was in dire need of emergency assistance for flood survivors, and everyday emergencies after three law enforcement officers and one K9 were killed in a mass shooting at the end of June. These officers were Floyd County Sheriff’s Deputy William Petry, Prestonsburg Police Capt. Ralph Frasure, Officer Jacob Chaffins, and K9 Drago. Four other officers were also injured.

“Minutes after I received word that Prestonsburg had requested assistance, Shift Supervisor Laramie Scott was calling me to ask permission to Volunteer,” said Chris Bowman, Director of Jessamine County E911. “The three of them have so much love for the first responder community that they volunteered to cover shifts asking for nothing in return.”

Nicole Davidson, Zack Cornett, and supervisor Laramie Scott are the three who volunteered their time to assist the town. Along with volunteers all over the state, they were able to cover for the entire department for nine days. Their service gave the Prestonsburg dispatchers much-needed time off.

“It was truly a humbling experience that we were able to go and help them out and cover their 911 services because even though they had a tragedy going on, there were still car accidents and heart attacks and all the emergencies. It doesn’t stop just because of one critical incident,” said Scott. “I’ll definitely keep this as a highlight forever.”

Jessamine County still paid the three employees for their volunteer work as if they were working these shifts in their home county. Pay didn’t matter to Scott, Davidson, and Cornett. They were ready to go regardless of compensation.

“That was just an added bonus, [we’re] appreciative of that. But to be able to help our family, because truly first responders are one big family- so to be able to help our family was worth it for me,” said Scott.