The Dallas County Supervisors signed a proclamation Tuesday marking the annual recognition of National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week (NPSTW).
NPSTW is held every year during the second week of April and is intended as a chance to recognize the public safety community’s telecommunications personnel — commonly called dispatchers — for their service and commitment to the profession.
“The week highlights a profession that demands unique professional skills and personal attributes of people willing to make sacrifices like working weekends, split shifts and holidays, 24 hours a day, seven days a week,” Dallas County Sheriff Chad Leonard told the supervisors.
Leonard was joined at Tuesday’s signing ceremony by DCSO Communication Director Terry McClannahan and three DCSO Dispatchers, Jeremiah Menshall, a 19-year veteran, Breanna Barber, a 1-year dispatcher, and Jill Johansen, who has dispatched for 11 years.
Kim Chapman, chair of the Dallas County Supervisors, signed the following proclamation:
National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week April 9-15, 2017
Whereas emergencies can occur at any time that require police, fire or emergency medical services; and,
Whereas when an emergency occurs the prompt response of police officers, firefighters and paramedics is critical to the protection of life and preservation of property; and,
Whereas the safety of our police officers and firefighters is dependent upon the quality and accuracy of information obtained from citizens who telephone the Dallas County Sheriff communications center; and,
Whereas 911 Public Safety Telecommunicators are the first and most critical contact our citizens have with emergency services; and,
Whereas 911 Public Safety Telecommunicators are the single vital link for our police officers and firefighters by monitoring their activities by radio, providing them information and insuring their safety; and,
Whereas Public Safety Telecommunicators of the Dallas County Sheriff Communications Division have contributed substantially to the apprehension of criminals, suppression of fires and treatment of patients; and,
Whereas each dispatcher has exhibited compassion, understanding and professionalism during the performance of their job in the past year;
Therefore Be It Resolved that the Dallas County Board of Supervisors declares the week of April 9 through 15, 2017, to be National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week in Dallas County in honor of the men and women whose diligence and professionalism keep our city and citizens safe.