Escambia
County encourages residents to join in observing National Public Safety
Telecommunicators Week, recognized by the Association of Public Safety
Communications Officials each year during the second week of April. From April
13-19, telecommunications personnel in the public safety community are honored
and celebrated for their service and dedication to their community.
National
Public Safety Telecommunicators Week celebrates the dedication and hard work
of the men and women who serve as emergency dispatchers, 9-1-1 call-takers,
radio and phone technicians, and other communication experts.
The
men and women of Escambia County Emergency Communications are behind the
scenes, yet they are the "First Voice On-Scene" during an emergency. They work
round the clock answering thousands of 9-1-1 calls per month, providing
life-saving instructions that include CPR, choking, childbirth, airway control,
bleeding control, ASA diagnostics, and many more. Emergency Communications
sends and coordinates first responders and works tirelessly in support of
Public Safety's mission.
"This
week we're recognizing our incredible Emergency Communications 9-1-1
professionals those behind the scenes who answer the call when it matters most," Emergency Communications Chief Andrew Hamilton said. "They work 24/7 to ensure
help is on the way, supporting EMS, Fire and Law Enforcement on every emergency
call. While we all hope to never need 9-1-1, there's peace of mind in knowing
that a calm, trained voice is always there and ready to help in life's most
critical moments. To all of our dispatchers, thank you for being the first
responder."
National Public Safety Telecommunications Week was originally established by Patricia Anderson who was a dispatcher in Contra Costa County Sheriff's Office in California in 1981. In 1994, National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week was signed into law by President Bill Clinton and became a nationally celebrated event.

Public Safety Director Eric Gilmore presented the Emergency Communications team with a proclamation for National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week.