OCTOBER 2025 — Recently, Watco Dispatcher Christina Berry thought she was having a normal day on the job. Even on the busiest days, her headset seemed almost an extension of herself—ready to catch distress, track trouble, and direct help. But recently, Berry received a call that would test every ounce of her skill and heart. 

The emergency line blinked. On the other end was a panicked voice—a woman, her words shaky, her breath uneven. “My son works for the WSOR,” she managed. “He told me if I ever had an emergency, call Dispatch. I think I’m having a stroke.” Her son wanted to ensure that no matter what, she could reach him. 

Berry steadied her own breath, instantly shifting into a mode familiar from years of practice and, as it happened, previous experience working with stroke patients. With a calm that never wavered, she gathered vital details: the woman’s location, symptoms, and contact information. “When we hang up, call 911,” Berry urged, her voice both soothing and authoritative, guiding the woman through the panic as if it were daily routine. 

But Berry wasn’t finished. She found the emergency contact for the woman’s area in Montana, quickly relayed the situation to law enforcement, and ensured help was on its way. The whole call, from the trembling first words to the final assurance, lasted less than five minutes. Yet within those minutes, Berry’s expertise and empathy radiated through the line. 

Watco Dispatcher Supervisor Travis Fellers would later reflect: “She’s got a big heart and cares a lot. It was this blend of straightforwardness and compassion that made Christina the dispatcher you wanted on the other end of the line.” 

After the call, Berry followed up to make sure the woman received help; the last report was that she was recovering in hospital, her son crossing states to be with her. For Berry, it was an unusual situation—but her response was “top-notch,” as Fellers described. “Calm, never once waivered. You’d have thought it was a daily call.” 

Yet for the team, it wasn’t just another call—it was a breath of fresh air, a reminder of the difference one person can make in an emergency. “We’re proud of her. This wasn’t a normal call on our emergency line. And it doesn’t always result in something great, but this time, help arrived,” Fellers said. 

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