Every year during the second full week of April, National Public Safety Telecommunications Week takes place as a way to honor first responders who handle emergency calls. Whether it is the firefighters who rush out to extinguish a fire or the brave men and women who escort injured citizens to the hospital, all public safety servicemembers need a reliable dispatcher to get to the scene as fast as possible.
The week was introduced by Congress as a bill in 1991 and was approved by President Clinton in 1994. It has since been celebrated on a national scale. The ability of first responders and their dispatchers to handle a call with efficiency and care can mean the difference between life and death in many emergency situations.
According to Jacksonville Progress, civilians across the country are reaching out to their public safety responders through letters and cards. However, a gesture as simple as a "Thank you" can go a long way in letting local public safety dispatchers know how valued they are throughout the community.
This year's National Public Safety Telecommunications Week will take place from April 12 to 19.