National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week Spotlight: Betty Limerick

National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week (NPSTW) is April 14, 2024 through April 20, 2024! Dispatchers play a vital role in emergency services. At OWL, when we think of dispatchers, we think of the dedicated service by Betty Limerick, a historical figure in our history.  

According to our historical documents, on June 6, 1957, Limerick, an auxiliary member started dispatching calls from her home on F Street in Woodbridge. 

During daytime hours, calls were received at Lynn’s store in Occoquan. Limerick, the wife of former Chief Warren Limerick, Sr., would serve as the night dispatcher. Eventually she began answering calls for help 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. When a call came in, Limerick activated the sirens that notified volunteers to respond. 

Prince William County Administration created a Department of Fire and Rescue in 1966 with Selby Jacobs hired as the first Fire Marshal. The county also installed a 911 system, and hired dispatchers. Limerick was added to the payrolls and continued to dispatch OWL Units. OWL ran 43% of the calls in Prince William County during that time. Her dedication was evident in that, at one time, she had about two years of leave saved. 

Limerick’s combined years of service totaled 14. When she decided to retire, a special event, attended by about 200 people, was held to recognize her dedication to the job.

In 1971, we named our highest award in honor of Limerick. The “Betty Limerick Service Award,” is presented at our annual installation of officers event to show appreciation from the department to a member who has provided extended service well beyond their assigned duties. The Department President, Chief, and the President of the Auxiliary select the recipient. A member may only receive the award once in a lifetime.

Betty and Warren Limerick