Emergency dispatchers receive recognition
Two local 911 dispatchers have been honored in celebration of National Telecommunicators Week.
Lizzie Jones, a Bi-State Justice Center telecommunicator, and New Boston Police Department Telecommunicator Vance Wendell were presented awards from the Ark-Tex Council of Governments 911 Program. They honored the dedicated dispatchers of Bi-State Justice Center and New Boston Police Department with gifts and certificates of appreciation.
In times of severe personal crisis and community-wide calamity, the first point of contact for those seeking any type of emergency services information is a 911 dispatcher, said Merle Luster, operations specialist for Ark-Tex Council of Governments. The public safety answering locations that receive these calls have emerged as the first access point for persons seeking immediate relief during an emergency.
National Telecommunicators Week honors the thousands of men and women who answer 911 emergency calls, dispatch police, fire, EMS and equipment, and provide life-saving assistance to citizens.
“It is designated as a time to recognize and thank the men and women of public safety communications and to publicly celebrate and honor the otherwise unsung hero on the other end of the line,” Luster said.
“It’s a great opportunity to reflect on the important role of the 911 dispatcher as the first responder.”