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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
911 TELECOMMUNICATORS HONORED
The week of April 12, 2010 has been designated as National Telecommunicators Week. This week offers the opportunity to recognize these unsung heroes for the extremely important role that have during an emergency.
2010 Apr 12
What is the first thought when there is an emergency? Everyone knows the answer, dial 911.
Who answers that call from perhaps an extremely distraught person? Most people do not realize their call is taken by a highly trained professional telecommunicator, also known as a 911 dispatcher.
The week of April 12, 2010 has been designated as National Telecommunicators Week. This week offers the opportunity to recognize these unsung heroes for the extremely important role that have during an emergency.
Because the contact with a dispatcher is only a voice, without a face, over the telephone, they are seldom remembered as the person who is responsible for insuring that the proper people and equipment are sent to the often distraught caller. For any number of reasons, understanding the caller may be, at best, difficult and the dispatcher must have the skills and abilities to deal with the situation at hand.
In Newport News, 911 Telecommunicators answer telephone calls, and dispatch, for police, fire, EMS and the Sheriff’s Office. In 2009, the 911 Center answered a total of 477,791 telephone calls and dispatched over 287,000 calls for service.
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