Celebrate National Public Safety Telecommunicators Appreciation Week 2014

Every year, the second full week of April (April 13th-19^th, 2014) is recognized as a time to honor hard-working telecommunicators across the United States. Telecommunicators are individuals who work for an emergency service provider (usually 9-1-1) and are qualified to answer incoming emergency telephone calls and provide for the appropriate emergency response. These individuals have a tough job where they work with the public in high stress situations to get help to those in need. This special week in April is the community’s opportunity to learn about all they do and gives us all a chance to say “Thank you for doing what you do”.

If you have ever dialed 9-1-1 to get help in an accident or an emergency, then a telecommunicator has been on the phone to collect your information and get you help. A person who is a telecommunicator must be patient, strong, understanding and work well under intense pressure or stressful situations.  During this week agencies, elected officials and citizens are honoring 9-1-1 call-takers and dispatchers for their efforts in making emergency services effective and efficient. 

Back in 1990, Congress designated this week to recognizing telecommunicators and we ask that you do the same! If you see a telecommunicator or you know someone who works as a call-taker or dispatcher, reach out to them and take the time to let them know that they are appreciated for all the time and effort they put into making 9-1-1 what it is today.

Attached is a proclamation from Texas Governor Rick Perry recognizing and honoring telecommunicators this week. We ask that you do the same and share your stories with us on how you appreciated your call-takers and dispatchers. 

Below are a few activities going on during the next week:

Lakeway Police Honor Telecommunicators: http://www.statesman.com/news/news/local/lakeway-police-dial-into-telecommunicators-week/nfW6d/

Panhandle Regional Planning Commission: 9-1-1 workshop for public educators on 9-1-1 public education, budgets, knowing your audience, how to get help, National TC week and 9-1-1 Education Month. 

Tarrant County 9-1-1 District, Denco Area 9-1-1 District, City of Dallas, and NCTCOG: These 9-1-1 Texas entities are all participating in a 9-1-1 Public Awareness media campaign for the month of April.  The message will be featured in several different mediums including billboards and commercials.

Allen PD educating public during 911 National Education Month: http://starlocalmedia.com/allenamerican/news/allen-pd-educating-public-during-national-education-month/article_7be88764-c000-11e3-990f-0019bb2963f4.html

Hunterdon honors 9-1-1 telecommunicators: http://www.nj.com/hunterdon-county-democrat/index.ssf/2014/04/hunterdon_honors_9-1-1_telecom.html

Wahkiakum County Sheriff's Office: http://www.waheagle.com/news/article.exm/2014-04-09_sheriff_s_corner

Greater Harris County 9-1-1 Emergency Network: Throughout the month of April, the community will be informed about two important messages on the radio and at area wide cinemas. The ‘Help 9-1-1 Help You’ commercial will be shown during the month of April for “National 9-1-1 Education Month,” at various movie theaters. GHC 9-1-1 partnered with the following agencies to offer the movie theater public awareness campaign: Brazos County 9-1-1 District and Galveston County 9-1-1 District.

Also, a relatively new, free service is available to Harris and Ft. Bend county residents who want wireless phone alerts about emergencies in their immediate area. But the service is NOT automatic—residents MUST sign up at 911.org. A commercial spreads the word about this very beneficial service.