First Responder Hero Award: Janet Tomaszewski

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – News 12 is recognizing some of the bravest members of our community through the First Responder Hero Award.

Whether someone is an EMT, paramedic, firefighter, or police officer, this award honors their unwavering dedication to keeping us safe.

When danger strikes, these heroes are the first to respond.

Now, it’s our turn to put them first.

In partnership with Wettermark Keith, News 12 is proud to spotlight these courageous men and women, and this month, the community has nominated Janet Tomaszewski, 911 dispatcher for her hard work and dedication.

When emergencies strike, most people think of sirens and flashing lights.

But the first to respond is often someone you never see—someone like Janet Tomaszewski, a 911 dispatcher with Hamilton County Emergency Services.

“We moved here in the early 2000s,” Janet explained. “I needed work and decided to go into emergency services. I saw the opening at the 911 Center and thought, ‘I can do that.’ And it’s something I really love.”

For more than a decade, Janet has been one of the steady voices on the other end of the line during someone’s worst moment.

From car accidents to house fires, she’s guided countless callers through crisis with clarity and calm.

Her commitment hasn’t gone unnoticed. Janet has been honored twice with the Lifesaver Award—and now, she’s been nominated for News 12’s First Responder Hero Award.

“Hello, this is Janet.”

“Hi Janet, I wanted to let you know that you’ve been nominated for our First

Responder Hero Award.”

“Oh wow. Thank you very much.”

For Janet, it’s not about recognition. It’s about impact.

“I’m just happy to have somebody go home to their family—whether it’s the responders or the victims,” she expressed. “So if I get an award for it, that just tells me I’ve done something right and good.”

But while many stories end in relief, not all do.

One of the hardest parts of Janet’s job is the unknown—never finding out how a situation resolves after the call ends.

She elaborated, “The Woodmore bus crash—I dispatched that. The I-75 accident in Ooltewah a couple years back—I was the dispatcher for that too. It’s hard. Pediatric calls are especially difficult. And sometimes, you have a hysterical caller you just can’t calm down enough to get the information the responders need.”

Even then, Janet holds steady.

She knows the questions she asks are critical, even when callers worry they’re delaying help.

“Is he breathing?” she asks in one recorded call. “Okay, get him to the floor—we’re going to start CPR. Yes, they’re already on the way. I just need to ask these questions. They’re important for the responders, okay? It’s not delaying a response at all.”

While dispatchers like Janet may not wear a badge or arrive on scene, they are an essential part of every rescue—working tirelessly behind the headset.

News 12 is proud to honor Janet Tomaszewski and all the dispatchers who answer the call.

If you know a first responder who deserves recognition, you can nominate them for News 12’s First Responder Hero Award click here.