County Executive Molinaro Highlights Critical Work of
County’s Public Safety Dispatchers
National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week Recognized
Poughkeepsie…Dutchess County Executive Marcus J. Molinaro continued to highlight the dedicated work of Dutchess County employees today when he visited several public safety dispatchers at the Dutchess County Department of Emergency Response’s E-911 Communications Center. The visit coincided with National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week, celebrated annually during the second week of April, to recognize and thank public safety dispatchers serving throughout the United States.
During his visit, County Executive Molinaro met with several public safety dispatchers, including call takers, and police, fire and EMS radio dispatchers. As part of the employee shadowing, County Executive Molinaro monitored and listened in on live calls at a call taker station. To watch a video of the visit, click here.
Dutchess County Executive Marc Molinaro said, “Our public safety dispatchers are our unsung heroes, often not recognized for their sacrifices and the tireless and essential services they provide to our residents. Although I only engaged in a small portion of what they encounter on a daily basis, I have a greater appreciation and understanding of the work they do.”
As part of their duties and responsibilities, public safety dispatchers are responsible for receiving emergency and non-emergency telephone calls from the public and transmitting emergency information in the dispatching of firefighters, medical personnel, law enforcement officers and equipment in the shortest possible time, while maintaining a calm atmosphere in high-stress situations. Dispatchers maintain radio communications with public safety personnel responding to the emergency situation. Dispatchers are required to monitor numerous telephone and alarm systems and radio frequencies simultaneously and must exercise sound independent judgment in prioritizing calls and dispatching appropriate emergency services as quickly as possible.
Earlier this week, the Dutchess County Department of Emergency Response hosted students from The Chamber Foundation, Inc.’s Leadership Connections, a mentorship program offered exclusively to Poughkeepsie High School juniors and seniors. Students were given an overview of the roles and responsibilities of a public safety dispatcher and how to pursue a career in that field, as well as how their personal responsibility as a dispatcher can affect the overall operation of an emergency.
To learn more about the Dutchess County Department of Emergency Response, go to:
http://www.dutchessny.gov/
To learn more about National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week, go to:
http://www.npstw.org/
