Almost every incident our law enforcement officers, firefighters and EMTs respond to originates with a phone call taken by a dispatcher.

While some calls are minor, other calls deal with life-and-death situations and involve the response of multiple agencies. During stressful moments, these dispatchers utilize patience, compassion and professionalism to communicate with those on the other end of the phone and to help organize the responders.

As part of National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week, we recognize the role dispatchers play in the public safety community in our area. You may not be on the front lines like our officers, deputies and EMTs, but your role is a critical part of the response.

We thank you for your dedication to your jobs and the community, and we encourage others to thank you as well this week.

First responders in the community could not do their jobs as well without the role of the dispatchers.