Springfield-Greene County 9-1-1 Emergency Communications Director Kris Inman has announced his retirement, effective July 17.
Inman, a 28-year 9-1-1 employee, became director of the department in May 2020. He joined 9-1-1 in 1994 as a telecommunicator. He was promoted to the position of acting supervisor/certified trainer in 1997, to supervisor in 2003 and to training and education manager in 2012, serving in that role for eight years before being named director.
“Kris has done a terrific job leading the Springfield-Greene County 9-1-1 function,” said City Manager Jason Gage. “He brought a positive approach and tremendous energy! Kris will definitely be missed, and we wish him the very best.”
Inman’s accomplishments include implementing the department’s first career-laddering positions, a state-of-the-art employee gym and one of the state’s first next-generation 9-1-1 projects.
Inman has also served as an adjunct instructor for Missouri State University, teaching public speaking. He has a bachelor of science degree in electronic media and a master of arts in communication, both from MSU. He is also a certified yoga instructor and led classes for 9-1-1 staff over the last year.
“It has been the absolute honor of my professional lifetime to get to lead this staff for the last three years,” Inman said. “9-1-1 employees are public safety professionals of the highest order, doing one of the most difficult and underappreciated jobs that you can possibly do. And they do it exceptionally well, regardless of the circumstances.”
“I’ve been with the department just shy of 29 years, and am a true ‘son of the city.’ I literally grew up in this department. The people here and their public service mission will always be a part of who I am and what I do next.”
Springfield-Greene County 9-1-1 Emergency Communications dispatches for 13 fire agencies and nine law enforcement agencies:
- Ash Grove Fire Protection District
- Battlefield Fire Protection District
- Bois D’Arc Fire Protection District
- Brookline Fire Protection District
- Ebenezer Fire Protection District
- Fair Grove Fire Protection District
- Logan-Rogersville Fire Protection District
- Republic Fire Department
- Springfield Fire Department
- Strafford Fire Protection District
- Walnut Grove Fire Protection District
- West Republic Fire Protection District
- Willard Fire Protection District
- Ash Grove Police Department
- Battlefield Police Department
- Fair Grove Police Department
- Greene County Sheriff’s Office
- Republic Police Department
- Springfield Police Department
- Strafford Police Department
- Walnut Grove Police Department
- Willard Police Department.
In addition, Springfield-Greene County 9-1-1 Emergency Communications receives the initial 9-1-1 calls for medical assistance that are transferred to CoxHealth or Mercy Emergency Medical Services (EMS) for dispatch.
Inman’s position will be posted by mid-April.
