National Telecommunicators Week, April 9-15, 2017
National Telecommunicators Week, April 9-15, 2017
National Telecommunicators Week is an opportunity for public safety agencies to reflect on the important role of the 911 dispatcher as the first, first responder. Telecommunications professionals like the 911 dispatcher are often the unsung hero on the other end of the line who receives a call for service, provides instructions to the caller, and ensures that appropriate public safety personnel are sent to the scene.
Each year, the second week of April is dedicated to the men and women who serve as public safety telecommunicators. In 1991, Congress proclaimed it as a nationally recognized week of recognition. The Cedar Rapids Joint Communications Agency (CECOM) celebrates this year’s National Telecommunicators Week - April 9-15 - in honor of their dedicated dispatchers.
CECOM dispatches Cedar Rapids Police, Fire and Animal Control officers. It also coordinates with allied agencies for other law enforcement, fire services and emergency medical services response in an effort to serve the needs of the public in an emergency situation or on a routine basis. CECOM handles approximately 125,000 police calls for service, 10,000 fire calls for service and 10,000 animal control calls for service annually. CECOM also handles over 6,000 9-1-1 calls per month and over 150,000 non-emergency calls annually. CECOM dispatchers are all certified in Emergency Police, Fire and Medical dispatch through the International Academy of Emergency Dispatch.
National Telecommunications Week also serves as an educational opportunity to help citizens understand the proper use of 911 for aid in emergency situations. Citizens should call 911 for an emergency such as a crime in progress, fire, motor vehicle accident with injuries, or sudden illness like a heart attack or difficulty breathing, or traumatic injury. The non-emergency number for the Joint Communications Center is (319) 286-5491.
For more information, visit the City’s website at: http://cms.revize.com/revize/cedarrapids/local_government/departments_g_-_v/police/joint_communications_center.php
