GOSHEN – Orange County Executive Steven Neuhaus is proud to recognize National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week, which runs through Saturday, April 17.
Orange County’s Division of Emergency Communications answered approximately 250,000 fire, police and EMS calls last year.
“I’m proud of our hard-working 911 dispatchers who provide life-saving assistance to our residents in a professional manner every day,” Neuhaus said. “They are quick-thinking and knowledgeable and have continued to work diligently during the COVID-19 pandemic. They should be commended for the effort that they put forth and the pride that they take in serving Orange County residents.”
Public Safety dispatchers at the County’s Emergency Service Center answer 911 calls 24 hours a day. As part of their duties and responsibilities, they receive emergency and non-emergency telephone calls from the public and transmit emergency information to firefighters, medical personnel, law enforcement officers, and needed equipment in the shortest possible time, while maintaining a calm demeanor in high-stress situations.
Dispatchers also maintain radio communications with public safety personnel responding to the emergency. These men and women are required to monitor numerous telephone and alarm systems and radio frequencies simultaneously and must exercise sound independent judgment in prioritizing calls and dispatching appropriate emergency services as quickly as possible.
