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April 11th - 17th
National Telecommunicator’s Week is an opportunity for Sylvania Township to honor our 911 dispatchers, along with thousands of other 911 dispatchers across the country, for their hard work
Congress introduced the first formal proclamation recognizing the role of the public safety telecommunicator in October 1991. Each year, the second full week of April is dedicated to the men and women whose professionalism helps to keep citizens and emergency personnel safe.
911 dispatchers are the “heroes behind the scenes” when emergencies occur. Sylvania Township 911 dispatchers provide critical services to citizens of Sylvania Township. They perform their duties with integrity, quality, accountability and respect.
911 dispatchers are the first people “on the scene” of every crime, fire, and medical emergency. They are there, though unseen, during the most trying of emergencies.
Each year, 911 dispatchers assist in the saving of lives, the apprehension of criminals and the prevention of considerable property loss. The members of public safety dispatch centers exhibit compassion, understanding and professionalism during the performance of their duties.
911 dispatchers provide 24-hour communication between citizens and public safety responders. 911 is nationally recognized as being the number to call to report emergencies where police, fire or medical assistance is needed. The call can be made from any telephone, including cell phones with or without basic service, and from any pay phone.
The safety of police officers, firefighters and emergency medical service providers are dependent on the quality and accuracy of information obtained from citizens who contact public safety dispatch centers.
If you have the occasion to encounter a 911 dispatcher, please take a moment to thank them. Emergency responses would not be possible without them.
WHO AM I?
(By an unknown, but knowing author)
I am the voice that calms the mother breathing life into her infant son.
I am the invisible hand that holds and comforts the elderly man who woke up and found his wife of 50 years had passed away during the night.
I am a friend who talks the disgruntled teenager out of ending her own life.
I sent help when you had your first automobile accident.
I am the one who tries to obtain the information from callers to ensure that the scene is safe for those I dispatch to emergencies-all the while anticipating the worst and hoping for the best.
I am the psychologist who readily adapts by language and tone of voice to serve the needs of my callers with compassion and understanding.
I am the ears that listen to the needs of all those I serve.
I have heard the screams of faceless people I will never meet nor forget.
I have cried at the atrocities of mankind and rejoiced at the miracles of life.
I was there, though unseen by my comrades in the field, during the most trying emergencies.
I have tried to visualize the scene to coincide with the voices I have heard.
I am usually not privy to the outcome of a call, so I wonder…
I am the one who works weekends, strange shifts and holidays.
Children do not say they want to do my job when they grow up. Yet, I am at this vocation by choice.
Those I help do not call back to say thank you. Still, there is comfort in the challenge, the integrity and the purpose of my employment.
I am thankful to provide such meaningful service. I am a mother, father, sister, brother, son, or daughter.
I am here when you need me and still here when you don’t.
My office is never empty, and the work here is never done.
I am always on call.
The training is strenuous, demanding and endless.
No two days at work are ever the same.
Who am I? I am an emergency dispatcher and proud.
I answered the call.
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