State officials recognize National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week
PHOTO COURTESY / PACAST -
SELINSGROVE – This week is National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week and state officials took time Tuesday to recognize some in central Pennsylvania, including those who cover part of our area.
“Telecommunicators serve as the steady, professional presence for individuals during their most critical moments. Far from being automated, these individuals bring profound empathy and compassion to every call,” said East Central Emergency Network Day Shift Lead Phil Yoder. “They are tasked with meeting rigorous NENA standards—capturing vital information within 90 seconds and coordinating dispatch while expertly managing high-stress situations. It requires a unique set of skills and a deep commitment to public service to excel in this demanding role.”
The East Central Emergency Network is a communications center covering Columbia and Montour counties.
National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week runs from April 12 to April 18 this year.
“Our 911 system is the foundation of emergency response, from answering calls to dispatching police, fire and emergency medical services to help those who need it,” said PEMA Director Randy Padfield.
PEMA officials also highlighted the rollout of Next Generation 911 across the state, which they say is designed to support regional interoperability and ensure all who call 911 receive the same standards of service and care regardless of which comm. center answers the call.
Telecommunicators, PEMA says, process approximately 14 Million calls for assistance every year and that one in five telecommunicator positions are vacant.
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