Home Press Releases Public Safety Telecommunications Week 2012
Public Safety Telecommunications Week 2012 PDF Print E-mail
Tuesday, 10 April 2012 14:51
Sheriff Paul C. May has released the following information:
RE:  National Public Safety Telecommunications Week

The Okeechobee County Sheriff’s Office will be honoring the men and women who serve as dispatchers during National Public Safety Telecommunications Week, April 10-16, 2012.

Telecommunicators (dispatchers), are your 911 call takers. They handle calls from people during some of the worst moments of their lives. They are actually the first responders to an emergency. Every day people depend on the skill, expertise and commitment of the men and women who work in public safety telecommunications.

The term “9-1-1” is often associated with rapid emergency response, poise under pressure, aid and compassion in times of distress and critical decision-making within seconds. Many people don’t stop to think about these seemingly nameless, faceless individuals until they experience actual emergencies themselves. These professionals make the difference between life and death in many instances.   Dispatchers are the vital link to those calling for help and to our deputies, police officers, firefighters, and paramedics. Dispatchers monitor emergency personnel’s activities by radio and telephone, and provide them with lifesaving information to ensure their safety. The safety of our deputies, police officers, firefighters, and paramedics is dependent upon the quality and accuracy of information obtained by dispatchers from the citizens who telephone the Okeechobee County Sheriff’s Office.

In December, 2011, the dispatchers office re-located to the county’s new 911 Operation Center, located northwest of the Sheriff’s Office. The 911 Center is staffed 24-hours a day, 7 days a week. At this time, there are seventeen full-time dispatchers. Sheriff May would urge all citizens to honor the dispatchers and recognize them for their diligence and professionalism in helping to keep our county, its citizens, employees and visitors safe.

Sheriff Paul C. May said of his dispatchers, “It is so important that when the calls come in for help, that the information is gotten right.  I appreciate our communication officers because of the wonderful job they do and we are glad to take this opportunity to thank them, not only ours, but communication officers everywhere.”

Michele Bell, Public Information Officer
Okeechobee County Sheriff’s Office
504 NW 4th Street
Okeechobee, Florida 34972
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
(863)763‐3117
(863)763‐7157 (fax)