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 run smoothly and efficiently to
ensure citizens safety.
Back in 1990, Congress designated this week to recognizing
telecommunicators for their service 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.
Below is a proclamation from Texas Governor Greg Abbott
recognizing and honoring telecommunicators this week. Share your stories with
us on how you appreciated your call-takers and dispatchers and we will share
them in our next blog! Below are some activities going on during Telecommunicator
week:
APCO
Offers Free Webinar in Celebration of NPSTW: In celebration of
National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week, and to honor those who do the
frontline job every day, APCO Institute is offering a FREE training webinar
entitled “Dispatch Danger Zones.” The
webinar will take place Wednesday, April 15, 2015, from 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Eastern time. Register here.
Ark-Texas
Council of Governments: They will present each telecommunicator
with a small insulated zippered 9-1-1 ATCOG portable cooler with a large
insulated 9-1-1 mug, insulated drink holder with a drawstring and attached
carbineer with our 9-1-1 logo imprinted, 9-1-1 logo tote bag, and several small
9-1-1 items. Each dispatcher will also be presented with a nice certificate of
appreciation.
El Paso County 9-1-1:They will be purchasing cell phone power banks in a travel case that says “NEVER UNDERSTIMATE THE POWER OF THE TELECOMMUNICATOR” and doing a decorating contest with that theme. The winner will get mentioned in their next newsletter!
York
County 9-1-1: They celebrate Telecommunicator’s Week each
year at their PSAP with a week of fun activities. They have theme days such as a
sports day where they wear their favorite sports team shirt, have hot dogs and
peanuts in the shell to eat. They also have different activities during this
week such as crossword puzzles, movie trivia, scavenger hunts, and much more.
They will finish the week with an awards ceremony for the Telecommunicator of the
Year, Supervisor of the Year, and Admin Support Person of the Year.
El
Paso-Teller E911 Authority: This year during 9-1-1 Education Month,
they will be doing 30 minute presentations about 9-1-1 (with the help of Cell
Phone Sally "Getting Help is Easy") to 1st grade classes. They will leave
each student with an activity book about 9-1-1, and a Cell Phone Sally Poster
for the classroom's wall.
