The Jefferson City Police Department is celebrating through Saturday the National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week — “dedicated to honor the men and women who are the true first responders to the community in times of crises,” according to a news release from JCPD.
“Locally, our communications operators serve as the first call-takers for all police and fire/medical-related emergencies, with responsibility of addressing 911 calls for service for the Jefferson City police and fire departments; Jefferson City Animal Control; Cole County Sheriff’s Department; Cole County Emergency Medical Services;” as well as the fire protection districts for Cole and Osage counties, Regional West and Russellville/Lohman.
“Additionally, and as needed, our communications operators will coordinate call-taking and dispatch efforts for emergencies that arise from the activation of the Cole County Emergency Response Team,” according to JCPD’s news release.
“Our communications operators, who work 10-hour days to cover services 24 hours a day (and) 365 days a year, have a number of responsibilities to not only receive and dispatch calls, but also to maintain records on warrants, orders of protection, and so forth. Last year alone, the 911 Communications Center answered more than 104,000 calls for service, to include a variety of emergency calls for all police and fire calls within this region.
“‘We sincerely appreciate the hard work of our communications operators and their dedication to their community. Our operators are a critical lifeline to all responders are the unsung heroes that are always there to answer the call,’” Chief Roger Schroeder said in the news release.