Morehead Rowan County E9-1-1 is launching a new "Adopt a Dispatcher" program to recognize the crucial work of emergency dispatchers.

The program gives the community a chance to learn who is on the line and show appreciation for the first line of communication during an emergency. Community members can participate by writing a thank-you note, putting together a care package, or making any gesture big or small.

Assistant 9-1-1 Director Kerri Moran has been a part of the center for more than eight years.

"In our world we are the first, first responders," Moran said.

Dispatchers are often the first to respond, but they rarely get the recognition they deserve. It is a sentiment shared by the first responders who work alongside them, including Morehead Firefighter Curtis Coleman.

"Dispatchers don't show up on scene. So nobody sees them. They just know it's a person on the phone. They are definitely underappreciated," Coleman said.

Dispatchers answer a wide variety of calls and provide detailed instructions to callers and first responders, helping resolve situations quickly, no matter how unusual.

"Chase a pig on Main street trying to get it back to its owner," Moran said.

When every second counts, dispatchers direct first responders in real time. During a working structure fire on West Main, dispatchers alert all available units.

"When we are on our way they will tell us exactly what is on fire. If there is any exposure, or any houses around, and how involved it is," Coleman said.

Without those details, emergencies could become deadly and cost first responders critical time.

"We would be pulling in blind without knowing what we were going into," Coleman said.

Dispatchers carry the weight of these moments so the public does not have to face them alone.

"A bad day is when You have a parent call you and they found their child unresponsive. Most of us here are parents. It's really hard, you have to put your emotions to the side, so you can help them," Moran said.

The "Adopt a Dispatcher" program is a chance for Rowan County to say thank you to the people answering the call for those who need help. Donations can be dropped off at the Morehead Police Department at 309 W. Main Street, Morehead KY 40351.

NASA is making final preparations for the launch of Artemis II Wednesday night, sending astronauts on a 10-day trip around the moon for the first time in over 50 years.

The SLS rocket and Orion spacecraft will take off to begin the journey. Even before the engines fire, history is already being made.

Ground Station Engineer and Operations Lead Chloe Hart noted the significance of the crew.

"It's historic. The first woman will be going to the moon, first person of color, first Canadian," she said.

A successful mission requires precise coordination from teams around the world. Research Scientist at Morehead State, Andrea Togni, emphasized the difficulty of the work.

"Space missions are extremely complex," Togni said.

That's where the Morehead State Space Science Center comes in, ready to assist with the mission.

"Our 21-meter ground station is an assist for NASA deep space network. It's the most powerful collection of antennas around the world," Hart told LEX 18.

Over the course of the 10-day mission, the university will contribute tracking data from its 21-meter high antenna. Students will steer the antenna, tune and record radio signals, process raw data, and send their observations to NASA.

Staff and students have been working on this mission since late January. They will gather around Wednesday evening to watch the launch as it will mark a big moment for both the space program and the students' future careers.

MSU student Carrie Bruce shared her feelings ahead of the launch.

"I don't really have words. I'm just so overwhelmed with excitement," she said.

MSU student Mitchell McCulley also expressed anticipation, similar to Burce.

"Off the back it will be nerve racking. Once I see it launch and everything is good, I will have a feeling of relief. Then, it's getting the ball rolling," he said.

The short crew mission serves as a launching pad toward careers in space exploration for the students.

"I think it's invaluable experience for our students to be able to get with this mission now and bring it back to their career as space engineers," Togni said.