Department of Public Safety News Release

Across the U.S., thousands of times each day, an emergency response begins with a person answering a call from a citizen who is facing one of the most difficult times in their life. National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week recognizes the people taking those calls, and beginning the response process that can mean the difference between life and death.

They may be called dispatchers, radio operators, or some other term, but they do far more than the job title lets on. They have to remain calm, gather essential information, sometimes they provide life-saving instructions before first responders arrive. They then must prioritize the call and direct responders to the emergency.They do all of this positioned in front of a computer screen – or several screens – as a roomful of people like them scramble to assist similar emergency calls.

This week we recognize Missouri’s public safety telecommunicators for the essential role they play during everything from simple mishaps to major emergencies. As the first contact a person has in an emergency, calm and professional communicators can help determine the outcome of emergencies.

Thank you for your important work and dedication to the public safety mission.                

For more information, call 573-751-5432 or e-mail mike.oconnell@dps.mo.gov