The Jefferson City Police Department is recognizing the work of its 911 Center operators during National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week.
This week occurs every second full week of April and is dedicated to honor the men and women who are, as Jefferson City Police Chief Roger Schroeder said, "The true first responders to the community in times of crises."
The Jefferson City 911 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 (EMS), as well as the Cole County Fire Protection District, Regional West Fire Protection District, Osage Fire Protection District and the Russellville/Lohman Fire Protection District. Additionally, these operators will coordinate call taking and dispatch efforts for emergencies that arise from the activation of the Cole County Emergency Response Team.
Jefferson City 911 operators work 10-hour shifts to provide services 24 hours each day, have responsibilities to not only receive and dispatch calls, but also to maintain records on warrants and orders of protection. Last year alone, the 911 Center answered approximately 130,000 phone calls resulting in 90,000 calls for service, to include a variety of emergency calls for all police, fire and medical calls within Central Missouri.
"Our operators are a critical lifeline to all first responders and are the unsung heroes that are always there to answer the call," Schroeder said. "We are extremely proud of their professional contributions to the safety of all who reside, recreate and work within Jefferson City and Cole County."