911 dispatchers have an intense, high-stress level job that is of utmost importance. National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week (NPSTW) is recognized on April 13 to April 19 each year, writes Leland Pinder for 6ABC.
This special week, created by former President Bill Clinton in 1994, honors dispatchers’ service and commitment to keeping our nation safe.
“In emergency response and police work and the emergency services, first responders are often thought of as the firefighters, those on the ambulance, the police officers, but the first of the first responders are usually the communications officers, the dispatchers,” said West Chester Borough Police Chief Joshua Lee.
In West Chester, Michael Groff was recognized for National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week. He has been working in the field for over a decade. He is one of nine borough dispatchers who serve 30,000 residents.
“Being recognized for Telecommunicators Week is important because it tends to highlight a job that seems to be swept under the rug, just taken for granted,” said Groff.
In a year, these workers will answer nearly 40,000 calls. Each will be answered.
This important work is gaining buzz in Harrisburg, where there’s efforts to reclassify 911 dispatchers as first responders. Pennsylvania House recently passed a bill to do just that. Currently, the job is recognized as clerical worker, which many may argue does not encompass the vital work they do.
Read more about Michael Groff and recognizing the importance of NPSTW at 6ABC.
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