BREVARD COUNTY • MELBOURNE, FLORIDA – National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week is held during the second week of April each year to recognize the critical role 911 communications officers play in keeping our community safe.
The Nevada Ambulance Association announced the Stars of Life honorees in March 2023, including two REMSA Health team members: Ashley Leone, communications specialist, and Chris Watson, paramedic. The Stars of Life award recognizes first responders, including paramedics and emergency medical technicians, who have exhibited superior performance throughout their careers, or who through a single life-saving event, have gone above and beyond the call of duty.
First responders have a unique role in that they appear at the site of an emergency to render aid way before anyone else. But in most situations fire, police and even paramedic services aren’t the first to be in contact with potential victims — the 911 dispatchers are. But what happens if the dispatcher and caller speak different languages? This is particularly important in Nevada where 48% of the state’s total population speaks English not very well.
Governor Josh Shapiro wants to invest in Pennsylvania’s 9-1-1 emergency dispatch system, firefighters, and emergency medical services (EMS) providers. The Governor’s budget would invest over $50 million in county 9-1-1 systems and devote $36 million for equipment, training, and staffing needs for firefighters and EMS providers.
The proceeds for this year’s event are going to help JT Camp, a 911 dispatcher for the Westchester County Department of Emergency Services and former volunteer with the Ossining Hose Company, who became critically ill this past December.
The work should be completed within four to nine months. Until it’s is complete, if you have a general, non-emergency question for the city, dial 311.
