This week is National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week, a week to show appreciation for the men and women who answer emergency calls, dispatch police and medical professionals, and provide support and compassion to citizens in distress, all within seconds of a someone calling 9-1-1.
“Until they’re facing an emergency or tragedy, hardly anyone gives a second thought about the men and women who answer those calls,” Chief Deputy Lee Howell said. “They work 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, including Christmas and Thanksgiving, when most people are home celebrating with their families.”
Last year Denton County Sheriff’s Office communication officers answered 294,202 calls from the public — more than 800 a day — and dispatched officers or firemen to the scene of 143,568 incidents, more than 393 every day, 365 days of the year.
In addition to providing dispatching service for the Sheriff’s Office, they also provide service to police and/or fire departments of Argyle, Aubrey, Bartonville, Corinth, Double Oak, Hickory Creek, Justin, Krugerville, Krum, Little Elm, Northlake, Oak Point, Pilot Point, Ponder, Sanger and Trophy Club, all six Denton County Constable offices, the Texas Department of Public Safety, the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Control, and the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission. They also provide dispatching services for the medical examiners and the Denton County Fire Marshal and Emergency Manager’s Office.
“They have one of the hardest and most stressful jobs in the law enforcement community,” Chief Howell said. “All the services we provide for the citizens of Denton County depend upon the 9-1-1 dispatchers. They are truly the first responders in any emergency.”
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