EMMIE BOESE
Hutch Post
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — It's National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week and the Hutchinson-Reno County Emergency Communications team is celebrating their telecommunicators all week long.
"This week we are trying to put some faces to the voices that are often you know heard but nobody's ever seen," Assistant Director of Hutchinson-Reno County Emergency Communications Stacie Gagnebin said.
Telecommunicators are part of the 911 emergency dispatch system for reporting emergencies and requesting assistance from police, fire and medical services.
A telecommunicator is the first person on the line to answer a 9-1-1 call and from there, they help the caller through each step of the emergency and coordination of services.
"Our telecommunicators are responsible for handling over 100,000 phone calls every year," Gagnebin said. "As well as 2 million radio transmissions each year and they also help service over 40 agencies in our community. They're really that vital link to the community and our responders."
Gagnebin said folks can help show appreciation for their local telecommunicators in Reno County by telling them thank you on Facebook.
The first 911 call in the United States was placed on February 16, 1968, in Hayville, Alabama.
National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week started on Sunday, April 14 and will end on Saturday, April 20.
To reach Hutchinson-Reno County's 24/7 dispatch non-emergency line, call (620) 694-2800. For emergencies, always dial 911.
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