When an emergency strikes, the public relies on 9-1-1 as the first point of contact to coordinate police, fire, medical services, and other public safety agencies, and assist their timely response in an emergency . In many respects the professionals who take these calls are the true first responders that help to save lives and property, and they often go unrecognized. In acknowledgement and appreciation of their hard work, Oregon is honoring 9-1-1 professionals across the state. Governor Kate Brown has proclaimed April 8-14, 2018, to be Public Safety Telecommunicators Week in Oregon.
The Association of Public Safety Communications Officials (APCO) encourages using the week to celebrate and honor these first responders and their work.
The Oregon statewide 9-1-1 program and Oregon’s Office of Emergency Management also makes it a priority to highlight the week and encourages media partners and the public to highlight and thank 9-1-1 telecommunicators for the important work they do.
“The people taking 9-1-1 calls when someone needs help are the frontline of any emergency and bring calm to an otherwise chaotic and stressful situation,” said Mark Tennyson, the 9-1-1 program manager for Oregon. “They are the ones working around the clock every day of the year to help others. Their dedication to public service makes this week worth celebrating.”
The 9-1-1 program in Oregon was established by the 1981 Oregon Legislature. The program is responsible for the continual coordination and management of the network necessary for the delivery of 9-1-1 calls and associated information as well as the equipment used by the telecommunicators to process the calls. The program works with stakeholders including federal agencies, local and tribal partners, and 9-1-1 jurisdictions to ensure the continual operation of the statewide 9-1-1 emergency communications system.
Cory Grogan or Paula Negele
(503) 383-6608; (503) 871-8689
[email protected]
