OLYMPIA, Wash. – It’s National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week (NPSTW), an occasion honoring 911 dispatchers.
Washington State Patrol celebrated the week in a Sunday social media post.
“WSP Communications Officers work 24/7, ensuring every call is answered and every person gets the help they need when they need it most,” WSP said.
NPSTW began in California in 1981 and became federally recognized in a 1994 presidential proclamation.
WSP emphasized the importance of dispatchers to public safety in Washington.
“It would be impossible to list all the different types of calls they receive. They are the unsung heroes, often the first to respond during a crisis, and play a crucial role in keeping our communities safe,” WSP said.
Public safety telecommunicators receive 240 million emergency calls annually according to the US Department of Transportation.
