LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Nine new dispatchers graduated from the MetroSafe Academy Friday afternoon, and some of them will start taking calls as early as Sunday.

Earlier this year, Evelyn Howard faced a life or death situation.

"My twin sister and I, we were in a car accident, and that was pretty scary," Howard said.

They survived the crash, but were trapped inside the car and had to call 911.

"We hydroplaned instead of coming off into the ditch, I over corrected and spun around and hit the median," Howard said. "I figured my sister broke her wrist, she did."

The call to 911 and dispatcher changed her life. Literally.

"The dispatcher or the call taker, she remained calm the whole time," Howard said. "I wasn't calm, but she was calm, and that definitely helped me and I don't know what I would have done without her voice."

Friday afternoon, Howard was one of nine people who graduated from MetroSafe Academy.

Jody Meiman, the executive director of MetroSafe, said the new dispatchers and call takers will help address the shortage of first responders, but they need more.

"Typically it's anywhere from four to six graduates that come up off the recruit class onto the floor," Meiman said. "So nine is a really big number for us."

Meinman said it's an important job because the phone calls could be life or death situations, like the Old National Bank Shooting.

"You know, if you think about just a couple hours after that, there was an active shooter that was reported over another location in downtown Louisville," Meiman said.

Meanwhile, Howard's first shift is Monday.

"I'm nervous for it but I'm ready to see what it's going to be like," Howard said.

MetroSafe is looking for more 911 dispatchers, paramedics and EMTs. To apply, click here.

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