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.
Dallas County Sheriff Chad Leonard told the supervisors that NPSTW “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.”
The county supports three dispatch centers, Westcom Communications Center in West Des Moines, Dallas County Sheriff’s Communications Center at the Human Services Campus north of Adel and the Perry Police Department Communications Center in Perry. The communications centers are responsible for the county’s 14 fire departments, six police departments, sheriff’s office and Dallas County EMS.
Leonard was joined at Tuesday’s signing ceremony by DCSO Communication Director Terry McClannahan and senior DCSO Dispatchers Jill Johansen and Jamie Harrison.
Brad Golightly, chair of the Dallas County Supervisors, read and signed the following proclamation:
National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week April 8-14, 2018
Whereas emergencies can occur at any time that require law enforcement, fire or emergency medical services; and,
Whereas when an emergency occurs the prompt response of deputies, police officers, firefighters and paramedics is critical to the protection of life and preservation of property; and,
Whereas the safety of our deputies, 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 Dispatchers are the first and most critical contact our citizens have with emergency services; and,
Whereas 911 Public Safety Dispatchers are the single vital link for our deputies our police officers and firefighters by monitoring their activities by radio, providing them information and ensuring their safety; and,
Whereas 911 Public Safety Dispatchers 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 911 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 8 through 14, 2018 to be National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week in Dallas County in honor of the men and women whose diligence and professionalism keep our cities, counties and citizens safe.
Signed this 10th day of April, 2018
