Anyone who has been on patrol in the darkest night knows the feeling of being alone. Anything could happen as you cruise the alleys and back roads or run the interstate without knowing what will happen on your next stop.
Anyone who has called 911 in a state of panic and confusion, scared out of their wits as someone is trying to knock down their door to get to them. Anyone who was watching their house burn, not knowing if they would have anything left to come back to.
Ambulance, fire, police, and the public all rely on their first point of contact in emergencies: telecommunicators. Long ago, it was called dispatch, but the department has evolved to be more of the nerve center. They answer 911 calls, dispatch emergency services, provide needed instructions to callers in distress, monitor the radios to keep a check on the safety of the members of responding agencies, and maintain records and provide calm in the storm.
These calm professionals handling emergency calls sometimes stay on the line with whoever needs reassurance that help is on the way or to talk them down from hurting themselves. There’s a certain mental stamina that few can handle.
Colorado County Commissioners Court issued a proclamation declaring the week of April 12 to be observed in Colorado County as National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week. On hand for the recognition were, front row, from left, Commissioner Keith Neuendorff and Judge Ty Prause; and, back row, Kaylee Frey, Jakki Jordan, Sheriff Justin Lindemann, Kacie Bush, Alize Tezono, Katlyn Perales, and Chief Deputy Kevin Daniel.
