This week is national public safety telecommunications week and during that week, the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office will be recognizing the diligence and professionalism of the communications officers who serve in the communications center in Marathon.
Communications officers are the first ones to receive emergency calls and what they do with those calls can often greatly influence the outcome of an event. The pressure and responsibility are high; they not only dispatch law enforcement, but also fire departments, paramedics and the Trauma Star helicopter — the last of which also requires a dedication as telecommunicators are required to keep track of the helicopters and their location in the air.
Since 1968, 911 has served as the vital link between the American public and emergency services.
“Our communications officers are critical in keeping the community safe,” said Sheriff Rick Ramsay. “These officers have one of the most stressful jobs in law enforcement in terms of dealing with people in times of crisis, making sure our deputies and detectives stay connected, which often ensures their safety, and they do it all so well that sometimes residents may forget these unseen ears of law enforcement.”
The Sheriff’s Office joins public safety agencies nationwide one week a year — the second full week in April — to recognize the pivotal role played by telecommunicators, dispatchers, communications operators, communications officers, radio control personnel — all those people, by whatever job title, who use telephones, radios, computers and technical skill to provide support to law enforcement, fire services, emergency medical services and other governmental field personnel.
