Today, we celebrated the end of an era in our Communications Center.
Our Springdale Dispatch Manager, Teresa Hudson, signed off for the final time and set her headset down, concluding a remarkable and impactful career with the City of Springdale.
Teresa’s voice first came across the airwaves in 1994, serving Carroll County until 1998. In January 2000, she picked up the headset for the City of Springdale. She became a calm, steady voice for those in crisis—firm when needed, consistently focused, and unwavering in guiding Officers and Firefighters to where they were needed most. She dedicated her career to public safety communications and to developing the dispatchers who serve this great community. Many who trained under her have gone on to become Police Officers, Firefighters, and leaders throughout the city.
Throughout her 25 years of service, Teresa held nearly every role within the center: Communications Training Officer, Emergency Medical Dispatcher, Emergency Medical Dispatch Quality Control, Emergency Fire Dispatcher, Emergency Fire Quality Control, Police Dispatcher, and the unofficial—but widely recognized—training coordinator.
In 2006, Teresa was promoted to Supervisor, leading all three shifts. During this time, she earned multiple awards recognizing her professionalism and commitment, including the Distinguished Service Award, the James Melekian Dispatcher of the Year Award, and the Patriotic Employer Award. Always leading by example, she continued her own professional development, earning a Registered Public Safety Leadership certificate through APCO International in Washington, D.C., and attending the Women’s Leadership Institute in 2017.
In August 2016, Teresa was promoted to Springdale Dispatch Manager, where she served for nearly a decade and had the privilege of leading a team of 28 dispatchers. Under her leadership, the center played a significant role in the Fire Department achieving an ISO Rating of 1—the highest rating possible. Her team also earned APCO’s Project 33 Training Program Certification and became an Accredited Center of Excellence in both medical and fire dispatch—an accomplishment as significant as it sounds. The center became a National Center for Missing and Exploited Children partner and supported the Police Department in achieving ALEAP accreditation. Teresa also played a pivotal role in the AWINS Radio Project, enhancing statewide communication during emergencies, and was instrumental in the design and expansion of the Communications Center, more than doubling its size to meet the needs of a growing city.
Beyond her managerial role, Teresa served as chair of the Springdale Police Benevolent Fund for 6 years. She was elected APCO State Treasurer in 2015, served four years on the APCO ProChrt National Committee, co-chaired the National APCO ProChrt Social Media Subcommittee, and served three years on the APCO National Awards Committee.
Teresa’s leadership philosophy—rooted in service, empowerment, and long-term impact—is best captured by Sheryl Sandberg’s words:
“Leadership is about making others better as a result of your presence and making sure that impact lasts in your absence.”
Teresa, your impact will last far beyond the walls where you served. Your leadership has shaped generations of first responders and strengthened the safety of the citizens of Springdale. We wish you the very best in your next chapter.
Thank you, and God bless you, Teresa Hudson.