Each year, the 2nd week of the month of April is recognized as National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week. This week is a nationally recognized time for citizens and co-workers alike to show their appreciation for professionals in the field of Public Safety Communications. The week-long event was initially set up in 1981 by Patricia Anderson of the Contra Costa County (Calif.) Sheriff's Office, but it eventually grew to be nationally recognized. The public safety telecommunications group encompasses everyone involved from the first moment a call is connected to a public safety answering point (PSAP), until the last line has disconnected and help has physically arrived. These individuals work tirelessly to ensure that when others need help, someone answers the call. Thanks for your dedication and support for public safety today and every day!
Governor's Proclamation
4/12/2015 Virginia Public-Safety Telecommunicator Week
WHEREAS, the health and safety of all Virginians is important; and
WHEREAS, the availability of 9-1-1 assistance is integral to the peace of mind of each individual and the security of all communities; and
WHEREAS, hundreds of dedicated telecommunicators daily serve the citizens of Virginia by answering their requests for law enforcement, fire and emergency medical services by dispatching the appropriate assistance as quickly as possible; and
WHEREAS, the professional public safety telecommunicator is the vital link between the citizen or victim and the public safety provider; and
WHEREAS, the dedicated public safety telecommunicators throughout Virginia handle over four million calls to 9-1-1 each year; and
WHEREAS, it is important for the public to be aware of the responsibility to properly use 9-1-1 services by calling only when lives or property are in peril thus increasing the efficiency of the system and improving the chances that lives will be saved;
NOW, THEREFORE, I, Terence R. McAuliffe, do hereby recognize April 12-18, 2015, as VIRGINIA PUBLIC-SAFETY TELECOMMUNICATOR WEEK in our COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA, and I call this observance to the attention of all our citizens.