NATIONAL PUBLIC SAFETY TELECOMMUNICATOR WEEK

NATIONAL PUBLIC SAFETY TELECOMMUNICATOR WEEK

Every year during the second week of April, the telecommunications personnel in the public safety community, are honored. National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week celebrates and thanks those who dedicate their lives to serving the public. It is a week that should be set aside so everyone can be made aware of their hard work and dedication.

Every day and night all across the country, public safety telecommunicators answer emergency and non-emergency calls. They connect callers to emergency care and provide valuable resources to those in need.

An estimated 240 million calls are made to 9-1-1 in the U.S. each year. In many areas, 80% or more are from wireless devices. (https://www.nena.org/page/911Statistics)

HOW TO OBSERVE #PublicSafetyTelecommunicatorWeek

• Review 911 emergency call advice9-1-1 is for police, fire, and medical emergencies only. Non-emergency calls should be directed to non-emergency phone numbers; EPPD: 832-4400 and EPFD: 212-5600.Details are critical. Stay on the line with the 9-1-1 operator and answer all their questions. Provide an accurate location. If you do not know the exact address, provide the call taker with all the details that you can. Look for landmarks, cross streets, signs, and buildings. First responders need an accurate location to respond as fast as possible. Try to stay calm and speak clearly. Don’t hang up when calling 9-1-1. If you called by mistake, let the operator know. DO NOT call 9-1-1 for jokes or prank calls.

• Follow on social media, #npstw, #PublicSafetyTelecommunicatorWeek

• Follow on Facebook.

NATIONAL PUBLIC SAFETY TELECOMMUNICATOR WEEK HISTORY

Patricia Anderson of Contra Costa County (Calif.) Sherrif's Office conceived the idea for a National Public Safety Telecommunicator Week in 1981. It was quickly adopted in Virginia and North Carolina. By the 1990s, the national association of Public-Safety Communications Officials (APCO) convinced Congress of the need for a formal proclamation.

In 1994, National Public Safety Telecommunicator Week was formally recognized and is celebrated each year during the second full week of April to coincide with National 9-1-1 Education Month.