Dutchess County Public Safety Dispatchers Honored During
National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week April 14-20
Poughkeepsie…2019 marks the 20th year since 9-1-1 was launched in Dutchess County and this week, public safety dispatchers throughout the U.S. are being recognized for their service and dedication to the community during National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week, celebrated annually in April.
Since 1999, the Dutchess County Department of Emergency Response’s public safety dispatchers have ensured around the clock operations, answering thousands of emergency calls each year to assist residents in need 24/7. Today, the 9-1-1 Communications Center operates with 36 Public Safety Dispatchers and Supervisors who work in teams over two shifts to meet the needs of residents and visitors alike. In 2018, the center answered 254,917 phone calls for assistance and dispatched 125,744 separate emergency incidents in Dutchess County for 35 fire departments and rescue squads, four EMS agencies, and 12 law enforcement agencies.
Dutchess County Executive Marc Molinaro said, “We are proud and grateful for the dedication and sacrifice of our public safety dispatchers who work tirelessly behind the scenes at the Department of Emergency Response to ensure fire, police, and emergency medical services reach Dutchess County residents in need as quickly as possible. We can all sleep soundly knowing someone will be there, no matter what time of day or night, to answer our call when seconds count. This week, and all year long, we recognize these men and women for their contributions in this critical and life-saving role.”
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 while simultaneously monitoring numerous telephone and alarm systems and radio frequencies, and exercising sound independent judgment in prioritizing calls and dispatching appropriate emergency services as quickly as possible.
To learn more about the Dutchess County Department of Emergency Response, go to: http://www.dutchessny.gov/
