April 14 to 20 is National Public Safety Telecommunicators (aka Dispatchers) Week, a time to recognize and thank 9-1-1 operators and dispatchers.
Being the first point of contact, 9-1-1 dispatchers are a critical piece to a host of services that provide a lifeline that saves lives every day. In every emergency, they are the calm voice on the other end of the telephone to let you know that you are not alone and help is on the way.
Whether it’s police, fire or medical, they are always ready 24/7 and work tirelessly to get the services out to those that need it as soon as possible. The service they provide is invaluable but the nature of their job means they are not seen like police officers and firefighters or medics. They are the key that unlocks every emergency service in the county, but few know who they are.
Hamilton County currently staffs over 75 Communications Officers who work 12-hour shifts dispatching for eight law enforcement agencies and nine fire/EMS agencies. Utilizing 14 dedicated 9-1-1 phone lines and 15 administrative (non-emergency) lines, dispatchers are on the front lines in obtaining information to ensure the safety of Hamilton County. These telecommunicators are responsible for answering phone calls that run the gamut from mundane to hair-raising and everything in between, all the while maintaining a professional demeanor and keeping track of the officers on the streets. This is not a job for everyone and the county is thankful for the superb staff working on a daily basis.
April is also 9-1-1 education month, so take a minute and talk about the proper use of 9-1-1. As any dispatcher will tell you, it’s not for weather checks, ordering pizzas, complaints about slow traffic, or general information.
The Sheriff’s Office offers a huge “thank you” for the tremendous job dispatchers perform on a daily basis. Keep up the great work!