ROWLEY — Chief Scott A. Dumas would like to recognize the town’s public safety Communications Specialists during National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week.
During the week of April 12-18, public safety agencies take time to reflect on the critical role telecommunications professionals play in supporting the work of first responders. This week 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.
Rowley’s communications center consists of four full-time, one part-time and three reserve communications specialists who are specially 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.
“Our communications specialists do critical work everyday by receiving calls, keeping people calm during an emergency and providing important information that helps to inform and protect our officers,” Chief Dumas said. “We’re always grateful for the work they do, but we’re especially grateful for the work they’re doing during the COVID-19 pandemic, and we’d like to thank them for always being there for our residents and first responders.”
In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, communications specialists 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 average number of calls per week have remained about the same, the nature of calls has changed as well as the interaction that is required.
“In years past, officers and members of the public have offered baked goods and other similar gestures to honor our communications specialists’ hard work and services to the Rowley Police Department and community,” Chief Dumas said. “However, this year is unlike any other. You may see officers wearing a thin gold wrist band in their honor, and members of the public can give them a shout out on our Facebook page. It is an unsung profession that is too often overlooked and underappreciated.”
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.
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