There will soon be a change in leadership at Springfield-Greene County 9-1-1 Emergency Communications. Director Kris Inman has announced his retirement, effective July 17.
“It has been the absolute honor of my professional lifetime to get to lead this staff for the last three years,” Inman said in a press release. “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.”
Inman, a 28-year 9-1-1 employee, became the 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 and to supervisor in 2003. Inman became training and education manager in 2012, serving in that role for eight years before he was named director.
“Kris has done a terrific job leading the Springfield-Greene County 9-1-1 function,” City Manager Jason Gage said in the press release. “He brought a positive approach and tremendous energy! Kris will definitely be missed, and we wish him the very best.”
Inman implemented 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.
In addition to his work with Springfield-Greene County 9-1-1, Inman has 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.
“I’ve been with the department just shy of 29 years, and am a true ‘son of the city,’” Inman said. “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. 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 for dispatch.
Inman’s position will be posted by mid-April.