Our Opinion: The hidden heroes (MO)

We join local law enforcement agencies in celebrating the “hidden heroes” — the telecommunications operators whose behind-the-scenes work is just as important as police you see out on the streets.

This week is National Telecommunicators Week, which occurs every year on the second full week of April as a time to recognize and thank telecommunications personnel in the public safety communications field…

Voices Above The Storm

Voices Above The Storm

Much has been written about the guardians who serve us daily:
the police, fire fighters, and EMS personnel. Their positive contributions to
our wellbeing are often profound … and visible. Yet there is another class of
sentinels whose contributions are just as profound. They are the men and women
populating 911 centers across the country, serving the public in a crucial
capacity who are heard, but almost never seen—the invisible guardians…

LETTER: Honor our local telecommunicator superheroes (MO)

LETTER: Honor our local telecommunicator superheroes (MO)

Dallas County 911 is preparing to honor our dispatchers during National Telecommunicator Week starting April 11. In October 1991, the Association of Public Safety Communications Officials received a congressional and presidential proclamation designating the second full week in April as National Public Safety Telecommunicator Week.

Each year a theme is designated; for 2021, that theme is “Superheroes.” Please join us in showing appreciation for the hard work and sacrifices these men and women make each day as they strive to help protect their communities they serve…


Community should be proud of dedicated professionals of Knox 911 (TN)

Community should be proud of dedicated professionals of Knox 911 (TN)

In 1986, the political leaders of Knoxville and Knox County formed the Knox County Emergency Communications District, or Knox 911. It was a well-thought-out vision and has undoubtedly saved many lives in our community.

Jerald Jenkins dispatches KPD officers from the Knox County Emergency Communications Center on Jan. 23, 2015.

Knox 911 is a stand-alone entity whose mission is to answer and dispatch all emergency calls in our community. We provide dispatch services to the Knox County Sheriff’s Office, Knoxville Police Department, Knoxville Fire Department and Karns Fire Department. Any medical calls received in our center are transferred to American Medical Response for them to dispatch emergency medical responders to our citizens. AMR also provides dispatch functions for Rural/Metro Fire Department, Seymour Fire Department and Knox County Rescue. All of these services are located in our call center…

Appreciation expressed to dispatchers, telecommunicators (VA)

The Lake Gaston 911 Community Taskforce invites residents to join us as we honor dispatchers and telecommunicators during National Public Safety Telecommunicator Week, April 11-17, 2021.

We want to say thank you to our 911 dispatchers for the tireless and critical work they perform throughout the country, especially here in rural Virginia and North Carolina. These dedicated professionals often go unrecognized because they are the calm, yet unseen voice on the other end of the telephone line during stressful, and sometimes life-threatening situations… READ MORE

Past, Present, More To Come

Past, Present, More To Come

Andre’ Lanier

National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week 2021 is less than two weeks away (Sunday April 11 through Saturday April 17) creating the ideal time to revisit the history of 911 and see where we are today.

Early
days of 911

Early discussions for an emergency number originated in 1957 by the National Association of Fire Chiefs. The chiefs recommended a single number a person could call to report a fire. However, other organizations wanted separate numbers for other emergencies. Discussions on national numbers for emergencies continued until 1967…