Jim Fogarty wants to solve a mystery.
Fogarty works as the director of public safety and emergency services in Pinellas. He oversees the county’s busy 911 emergency communications system — which receives more than 900,000 calls annually.
But Fogarty said an estimated 12% to 15% of emergency calls coming into Pinellas’ 911 system end up getting dropped or never make it to an emergency operator.
The work of a 911 dispatcher is stressful. Sometimes, even more stressful than a cop or firefighter. Last week was National Telecommunicators Week and the city showed off it’s new 911 call center.
For the first time since its opening 25 years ago, the emergency dispatch room at Luzerne County’s 911 center has been gutted and remodeled to improve the working environment and enhance call processing, officials said. Submitted photo
It’s National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week and to celebrate, the dispatchers manning the phones 24 hours a day at the Peoria Emergency Communications Center opened its doors to spotlight the technology and people making fast, efficient emergency response possible.
By Jessica Rosenworcel | Chairwoman
I’ve visited dozens of 911 call centers across the country over the years, and each time I am impressed with the dedication, skill, and professionalism of public safety telecommunicators, many of whom manage their community’s 911 calls amid disasters that also affect their own families.
It’s National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week, when we honor the hard-working professionals who answer our 911 calls and dispatch police, firefighters, and paramedics to assist us during emergencies.
Dispatchers answering 911 calls at University of Colorado campuses will now be designated as first responders instead of office and administrative support.
