Tompkins County proclaims Public Safety Telecommunicators Week (NY)

Tompkins County proclaims Public Safety Telecommunicators Week (NY)

by | Apr 9, 2022 | Comm Center News

National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week is the second full week of April, and in their April meeting this week, the Tompkins County Legislature presented a proclamation marking April 10-16 as Public Safety Telecommunicators Week in the County.

County Legislature Chair Shawna Black presented the proclamation on Tuesday night to Emergency Response Director Michael Stitley…

Two women with the county seal on the wall behind them look on while a man at a podium holds up a proclamation he has just received

County dispatch center workers support each other while helping others (SD)

County dispatch center workers support each other while helping others (SD)

by | Apr 9, 2022 | Comm Center News

No lights are on in the Pennington County dispatch center save for the blue lights of computer screens and flashing yellow and reds to quietly tell co-workers who’s currently on a call.

Calm voices echo on the radio across the room to alert emergency services personnel to those in need of help despite the sometimes high-stress calls that could come in.

“It can get pretty hectic in there,” said dispatcher Sami Simon. “There’s a lot of radio traffic, the phone are ringing all the time. We’ve got out intercoms that we’re talking to each on so we can let different dispatchers know…

Behavioral health clinicians help Bakersfield dispatch teams take 911 calls (CA)

Behavioral health clinicians help Bakersfield dispatch teams take 911 calls (CA)

by | Apr 9, 2022 | Comm Center News

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KERO) — They may not bear a blue badge but they’re important in keeping our city safe. Behavioral health clinicians on dispatch teams are pretty unique to Bakersfield and are already proving to make a difference.

City Councilmember Eric Arias said that those who dispatch and answer the calls to a scene don’t get paid as much as some of their county colleagues. There’s already significant dispatcher turnover, so they hope changes will keep them around.

“Our police officers are dealing with incredibly intense, difficult situations. Every day, and we know that there’s a tremendous amount of mental health in the community,” said Stacy Quwahara, Behavioral Health Director, Kern Behavioral Health and Recovery Services…

‘Donuts with a Dispatcher’ program kicks off (PA)

‘Donuts with a Dispatcher’ program kicks off (PA)

by | Apr 9, 2022 | Comm Center News

Through the program people will get an hour-long, personal session with a dispatcher to ask questions, meet the dispatch staff on duty, and see what they do.

MONROE COUNTY, Pa. — The Monroe County Control Center in Hamilton Township, near Stroudsburg, answers hundreds of calls a day. Kristi Apgar is one of the voices on the other end of the line. She’s been a dispatcher with the county since 2017.

“My husband was actually a police officer as well, and I actually heard the voice on his radio, and I remember saying to him one day, ‘How do you become the voice behind that radio?’ And he said, ‘You have to go to the control center.’ And that’s actually how I ended up applying,” said Apgar, now a Monroe County dispatcher…

Suffolk Police honor own during awards ceremony (VA)

by | Apr 9, 2022 | Comm Center News

The Suffolk Police Department honored its own Tuesday during its annual awards ceremony held at City Hall.

The event is held to honor and recognize sworn and non-sworn members of the department, along with residents who have contributed to the success of the department and the service provided to the Suffolk community.

Special recognitions were presented for the dispatcher of the year, supervisor of the year, police officer of the year, field training officer of the year, and civilian employee of the year…

9-1-1 centers dealing with staff shortages (IL)

by | Apr 9, 2022 | Comm Center News

CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, Ill. (WCCU) — Central Illinois 9-1-1 operators are in a position that is always in need, and current staffing levels are having an impact on those who are answering for emergencies.

“Our people are tired. They are tired of working overtime; they are tired of talking to grumpy people all the time,” said Operations Manager Betsy Smith with METCAD in Champaign County.

9-1-1 operators like at METCAD are dealing with a low number of staff members to respond to emergency calls… READ MORE