Police Chief Andrew Lipson and Fire Chief John Sullivan would like to recognize the town’s public safety dispatchers during National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week.
National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week, sponsored each year by APCO International, honors the thousands of men and women across the country who respond to emergency calls, dispatch first responders and equipment and render life-saving assistance to residents. In recognition of their efforts, public safety agencies nationwide are recognizing the the critical role telecommunications professionals play in supporting the work of first responders this week, from April 12-18,
“Our communications officers play a vital role when first responders are called to respond to emergencies in town, providing first responders with the necessary information and resources they need when responding to those calls,” said Police Chief Lipson. “They have an incredibly important role and they should be proud of their commitment to the safety of our residents and first responders.”
Brookline’s 15 public safety dispatchers are highly trained to handle thousands of calls for service every year. While their work is done outside of the view of the public, they are an essential resource for first responders and the public alike and serve as the first point of contact for members of the public seeking help in an emergency.
Emergency Communications Officers are on the front lines with first responders ensuring that they have all the information needed to safely respond to calls for service. While the nature of calls has changed in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, the need to assess the situation and identify safety risks for first responders is front and center on every call.
“We’re glad to honor our dispatchers during National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week and celebrate the incredibly important work they do,” said Fire Chief Sullivan. “They’re the first ones people speak with during a crisis and have to gather all the information we need in order to effectively do our jobs. Their role is vital to everything we do.”
To honor their hard work and services, the Brookline Police and Fire Departments extend their gratitude and support.
About APCO International
APCO International is the world’s oldest and largest organization of public safety communications professionals and supports the largest U.S. membership base of any public safety association, and it sponsors National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week each year.
It serves the needs of public safety communications practitioners worldwide – and the welfare of the general public as a whole – by providing complete expertise, professional development, technical assistance, advocacy and outreach.