Linn County is celebrating the second full week of April (April 12-18) as National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week. This week, celebrated annually, honors the thousands of men and women who receive emergency calls, dispatch emergency professionals and equipment, and render life-saving assistance to Linn County’s citizens.
Recent events have highlighted the work of telecommunications professionals. The COVID-19 pandemic has only further highlighted the important work done by the telecommunicator. Their enhanced questioning helps to protect both citizens and first responders from further disease spread. Even during this pandemic, Linn County’s telecommunicators are still on duty 24 hours a day, seven days a week to assist citizens with their emergencies.
The Linn County Board of Supervisors has recognized National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week and honored Linn County’s staff of telecommunicators by releasing an official proclamation (PDF).
“The public may not give much thought to the call taker when they place a call for emergency assistance”, said Linn County Sheriff Brian Gardner. “But they are truly the backbone of the system. Without well-trained telecommunicators, the entire system will collapse.”