Public Safety Tele-Communicators Week: Thank a dispatcher, the unseen heroes behind the phone
Submitted by editor on Thu, 04/09/2015 - 1:10pm
Have you have ever wondered who a law enforcement officer, fireman, or EMT is talking to on the other end of the radio? Simply put, it is their work lifeline, providing information for first responders 24 hours a day, seven days a week. These men and women on the other end of the radio are the people who assist first responders in their everyday duties and especially in their time of need. When situations go bad, they are the ones making sure we have backup with lights and sirens coming to our aid.
The emergency dispatcher is always the unseen hero, the keepers of our “Brothers and Sisters.” They are the first people we talk to in our patrol vehicle at the start of our shift and last person we say goodnight to when we get home and end the shift. You always see a police officer, fireman, or any other first responder on a daily basis; but you may never see a Tele-communicator doing his or her job as it relates to helping the first responder. Our job would be impossible and much more dangerous, without our “Dispatcher.” They are truly the lifeline that we depend on and refer to in our responses.
Each year, the second full week of April is dedicated to the men and women who serve as public safety tele-communicators. What was first conceived by Patricia Anderson of the Contra Costa County, Calif., Sheriff's Office in 1981, was observed only at that agency for three years. Members of the Virginia and North Carolina chapters of the Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials (APCO) became involved in the mid-1980s. By the early 1990s, the national APCO Organization convinced Congress of the need for a formal proclamation. Rep. Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) introduced what became H.J. Res. 284 to create "National Public Safety Tele-communicator Week." According to Congressional procedure, it was introduced twice more in 1993 and 1994, and then became permanent, without the need for yearly introduction.
The official name of the week when originally introduced in Congress in 1991 was "National Public Safety Tele-communicators Week." In the intervening years, it has become known by several other names, including "National Public-Safety Telecommunications Week" and "International Public Safety Tele-communicator's Week." The Congressional resolution also stated there were more than "500,000 telecommunications specialists" assisting first responders across the county.
The State of Nevada has been recognizing our Tele-communicators (Dispatchers) since the mid 1990’s. With all of the work that first responders do on a daily basis, you may never know if a Tele-communicator will be recognized for their part in saving a life, or talking to a person who is having the worst day of their life. Through everything, our Tele-communicators work steadfast in providing the backup and services first responders need, all the while being that friendly, calm voice on the other end of that “911” call until help arrives.
This is their week to be recognized. If you know a Tele-communicator (Dispatcher) thank them for the job that they do in helping to protect you and your community.
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