BENNETTSVILLE — Roy Allison has dedicated his entire adult life to helping others.
Allison’s passion for reaching out to the community, though, began when he was only a teenager.
At 15, he joined the Cheraw Rescue Squad, and at 18, he joined the Cheraw Fire Department.
Allison then went on to work for Chesterfield County EMS for several years, first as an assistant director and then as director of emergency services.
His career eventually led him to his current position as director of 911 and Emergency Management in Marlboro County.
In just more than five years, Allison made broad changes to Marlboro County’s emergency response system with the help of his employees and local administrators.
The improvements included upgrading Marlboro County 911’s radio system, the county’s Computer-Aided Dispatch system and the addition of reverse 911 for the county.
“We’ve done a lot of work here in Marlboro County over the past five-and-a-half years, and I would like to take credit for all of it, but that’s not possible,” Allison said.
“I’m one part of the puzzle, and it takes all of us working together to make this work.”
Allison’s efforts, though, did not go unnoticed, whether it was around his own office or in the community of his peers.
“He does strive to bring everything new and up-to-date to us and he does go above and beyond what he should as a boss for all of his dispatchers here,” said Brooke Freeman, chief dispatcher for
Marlboro County 911.
In October, Allison was recognized at an annual state 911 conference as Director of the Year for South Carolina.
While Allison said he was very honored and surprised by the award, he also said it was the fulfillment of a lifelong dream.
“My first year as an ambulance director, I had people to look up to … my first year at 911, I had folks to look up to … and you wonder if you’ll get to that place in your career,” he said. “To be recognized by that group of folks was truly an honor. If I cap off a career and have that, I’ll be real happy and blessed to have a job I enjoy.”
Those who work with Allison said they’ve seen firsthand the changes he’s made in not only the county, but also in the residents’ lives.
They also say there is no one more deserving of recognition by his peers and the entire community.
“I’m proud of him, and it says a lot for Marlboro County and the director of 911 and Emergency Management,” Freeman said.
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