Give thanks to dispatchers during National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week
By Garrett Christensen on Tuesday, April 15th, 2025 in More Top Stories Northeastern Oregon News
LA GRANDE — The modern 911 system is a complicated network and nothing short of a logistical marvel, kept running daily by an army of dedicated professionals and volunteers. Now through April 19, emergency and transit agencies across the U.S. are asking the public to join them in giving thanks to the sometimes-overlooked linchpins of the system, the 911 dispatchers.
Held annually during the second week of April, National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week is meant to honor the incredible service of dispatchers, and the crucial role they play in keeping the community safe around the clock. From getting firefighters, police officers, and paramedics where they need to go daily, to disseminating hundreds if not thousands of calls during major disasters like wildfires, dispatchers and other public safety telecommunicators play an indisputably essential role in keeping everyone safe. As written by the Oregon Department of Transportation in a recent newsletter:
“Dispatchers are the unseen heroes who respond to calls such as:
- A car crash with injuries at an intersection
- A family member experiencing chest pain and unresponsiveness
- A kitchen fire in an apartment building
- A home break-in
- A witness to a hit-and-run crash
- A power line down across the road
- Helping a panicked family member perform CPR on a loved one
These telecommunicators are the first responders, ensuring police officers, firefighters, paramedics, and other emergency personnel get home safely after each shift.
They serve in many roles: telecommunicators, dispatchers, call takers, 911 operators, tactical dispatchers, emergency medical dispatchers, and more. All 911 and emergency communications centers are crucial to public safety, providing life-saving services in our communities.”
At a more local level, The La Grande Police Department would specifically like to give thanks to La Grande/Union County 911 dispatchers for their dedication and hard work over the past year. In a recent social media post, the LGPD wrote:
“In 2024 alone, our Dispatchers answered 28,074 calls for service, including 5,962 priority one – 911 calls. These unsung heroes serve as the critical link between our community and emergency responders, demonstrating unwavering professionalism and dedication every day. We’re taking this opportunity to honor their hard work and commitment to keeping us safe. Join us in expressing gratitude for their exceptional service and sacrifices. Well done and thank you to our Dispatchers for your invaluable contributions to our community’s safety!”
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(Image originally posted by the La Grande Police Department)
