Every day, an untold number of lives across our nation are saved by the quick-thinking and actions of first responders. From traffic crashes, to at-home accidents, domestic and school situations, and other life-threatening incidents, firefighters, emergency medical personnel, police officers - full-time and volunteer - spring into action at a moment’s notice.
The immediate, professional response of these men and women wouldn’t be possible without the day-to-day, constant presence of 911 communicators and their professional ability to access every type of situation. The communicators work at a moment’s notice to assemble the information needed by first responders to safely and professionally answer each call.
Often, gathering the information needed by first responders is a difficult task due to the mental and emotional state of the caller, and conditions at the scene of the incident. Our 911 communicators here in Bradley County are expected to “hear it right” the first time, and then must “send the right manpower and equipment” the first time as well.
These telecommunications professionals are composed, focused and proactive during each emergency call – be it someone screaming, crying, yelling, silent with shock, or whatever. They calm and coax the caller to get the information needed to dispatch emergency services.
They operate under a lot of pressure each day, as lives and limbs hang in the balance of their decision-making abilities. We ask them to perform at top level every second of every workday. Yet, how often do we think to thank them? They are the “behind-the-scenes” heroes, and I’m sorry to say that too often when they are out of sight, they are out of mind.
So please join me during this National 911 Telecommunicators Week in thanking the special individuals that answers the calls and coordinate each first response…24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. It’s a big job and our 911 personnel do it so well.
Thank you, Bradley County 911 Center, for all you do for all of us. Well done.
Bradley County Sheriff Eric Watson