MERIDIAN, Miss. – Lauderdale County is celebrating the second full week of April as National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week. Celebrated annually, this week honors the thousands of men and women who respond to emergency calls, dispatch emergency professionals and equipment, and render life-saving assistance to the world’s citizens.
The Lauderdale County E-911 center fields calls from Lauderdale County, Meridian and Marion, and coordinates first responders including fire, law enforcement and emergency medicine.
Kevin Smith, executive director for Metro Ambulance Service, said telecommunicators are trained professionals who are the first point of contact for people in a crisis. It could be a relatively minor problem or something beyond horrific, he said, yet they are trained to remain calm and professional, working to connect people to the emergency resources they need.
“That’s the hardest job of all,” he said.
Smith said the job goes far beyond answering the phone and putting information into a computer. Telecommunicators can be the last voice someone hears or have to hear the sound of a parent who just lost their child. It’s a job that the public depends on, he said, but often underestimates the toll it takes on those who do it.
“They are an integral part of the entire public safety sector,” he said.
Lauderdale County Sheriff Ward Calhoun said National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week is a time to recognize the people who aren’t in the spotlight but are always behind the scenes helping both the public and first responders through emergencies.
“It’s a good opportunity to recognize individuals who aren’t seen by the public but really are first responders,” he said.
Information provided by 911 dispatch is essential in responding to emergency calls, Calhoun said, and the data telecommunicators gather helps law enforcement and other emergency responders understand the situation and plan their response. The work of 911 telecommunicators absolutely makes a difference, he said.
“We’re extremely thankful for their diligent, hard work every day that helps us serve the community,” he said.
In recognition of their dedication, local businesses are stepping up to provide lunch, dinner and dessert for the county’s telecommunicators throughout the weeklong observance. Sponsoring businesses include:
—Domino’s
— Raising Cane’s
— McDonald’s
— Captain D’s
— BeeHive – Marion
— Subway
— Jeans Restaurant
— Newk’s
— Mr. Rogers
— Papa John’s
— Southern Fryers
— Kentucky Fried Chicken
— Magnolia Restaurant
— Western Sizzlin
— McAlister’s
— Meridian Community College
— ComSouth
A swag box for telecommunicators is also being provided by Chick Fil A.
Lauderdale County currently has a staff of 17 emergency telecommunicators and is working to hire more. Anyone interested in becoming a 911 telecommunicator can call 601-482-7559 for more information.