This week is National Telecommunicators Week! This week is set aside to recognize the 911 dispatchers for their hard work in assisting the public with any type of call that may require law enforcement, EMS or the fire department.
At the Starke County Sheriff’s Office, there are 10 full-time dispatchers and one part-time dispatcher that take the call of the public and relay emergency information to first responders to aid residents in any type of situation.
The role of a dispatcher is first important step when it comes to the safety of the public, according Chief Dispatcher Stacy Noonan.
“I would like to think of us as the heartbeat of public safety,” said Noonan. “We bridge the gap between the caller and the first responders. We coordinate the emergency response.”
Noonan discussed what qualifications are needed to being a dispatcher.
Noonan continued, “Recently, the state actually passed a bill, Senate Bill 158 I believe, there’s minimum requirements for being a dispatcher. You have to have a 40 hour basic telecommunicator course, you have to be certified in IDACS and that’s our state system which we use to run plates and warrants, as well as our NIMS which is the National Incident Management System. We have to be certified in EMD as well and that’s our emergency medical dispatch, and CPR or telephone CPR.”
Nightshift Supervisor Katie Garab commented that there is a system that they follow when handling calls.
“You have to pay attention to doing it the same way every time and all of the details that go into it, as well as being able to think on your feet when things don’t go the way they’re supposed to,” commented Garab.
Even if a caller accidentally calls 911, Training Coordinator Becca Hardel says it is ok. They just need to make sure everything is alright.
Hardel stated, “Accidentally calling 911 is not a big deal. It is ok to accidentally call 911, just stay on the line and tell us. You’re not in trouble. We will call back or we will text you.”
Dispatchers handle a lot of work and more details about that will be highlighted in other newscasts this week, including new programs to be featured yet this month.
National Telecommunicators Week ends Saturday, April 20.