National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week - County Executive News Release 4/10/2017

Poughkeepsie…This week, public safety dispatchers throughout the U.S. are being recognized for their service and dedication to the community during National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week, celebrated annually the second week of April. The Dutchess County Department of Emergency Response’s 40 public safety dispatchers ensure around the clock operations 24/7, answering thousands of emergency calls each year to assist residents in need. In 2016, the Dutchess County E-911 Communications Center answered 260,159 calls and dispatched 123,713 individual emergency calls.

Dutchess County Executive Marc Molinaro said, “We are grateful and honored to have such a fine group of dedicated individuals serving Dutchess County and its residents in this critical and lifesaving role. Their commitment to their community should never go unnoticed and we are proud to recognize their contributions this week and all year long.”

As part of their duties and responsibilities, public safety dispatchers are responsible for receiving emergency and non-emergency telephone calls from the public and transmitting emergency information in the dispatching of firefighters, medical personnel, law enforcement officers and equipment in the shortest possible time, while maintaining a calm atmosphere in high-stress situations. Dispatchers maintain radio communications with public safety personnel responding to the emergency situation. Dispatchers are required to monitor numerous telephone and alarm systems and radio frequencies simultaneously and must exercise sound independent judgment in prioritizing calls and dispatching appropriate emergency services as quickly as possible.

To learn more about the Dutchess County Department of Emergency Response, go to:
http://www.dutchessny.gov/