Abilene Police Thank Public Safety Dispatchers
By: News Release, APD
Updated: April 12, 2012
Every day, and no matter where we are, Public Safety Dispatchers stand in the gap by providing an essential community service that most of us rarely ponder. But when a life threatening situation occurs, when our loved ones are endangered, or when we struggle with a calamity that occurs before our eyes, we depend on and expect that our first responders will be there. The week of April 8 - 14 is a time set aside to acknowledge and recognize the accomplishments of our dispatchers and their commitment to their profession; one that demands their services 24/7, 365 days a year.
Today I echo Governor Perry and Mayor Archibald's recent message of praise to the great men and women serving as Public Safety Dispatchers. Without them standing in the gap and providing their professional services, our mission to "Serve and Protect" would be greatly hindered. Honoring our dispatchers during Public Safety Telecommunicators Week is just one way of saying thanks for being there and one way to recognize their duty, sacrifice and contributions.
I share these facts for you to consider: Our 31-member strong dispatcher community handled approximately 51,000 calls for service via 911. Approximately 160,000 calls were answered via the non-emergency telephone line. Approximately 17,448 calls requiring emergency medical service dispatches were answered for persons suffering injury or illness. Because of their service as public safety professionals, untold lives and situations requiring intervention were directly impacted. Our dispatchers truly make a difference.






