When seconds can make the difference in the lives of citizens, 911 dispatchers are often the first contact citizens have in an emergency. Telecommunicators or 911 dispatchers are a vital link to our first responders in the field, helping to serve the public.
National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week (NPSTW) initially started in 1981 by Patricia Anderson of the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office in California. In 1994, President William J. Clinton signed Presidential Proclamation 6667, declaring the second week of April as NPSTW. The week of April 9 through April 15 is a time to celebrate and thank dispatch personnel from across the nation who serve their communities, citizens, and public safety personnel 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Dispatchers with the Grand Junction Regional Communication Center (GJRCC) serve over 20 public safety agencies across the Western Slope. In 2022, our 911 dispatchers managed over 293,000 inbound and outbound telephone calls, more than 167 text messages, and an estimated 145,000 dispatched incidents for area public safety agencies.
The Grand Junction Police Department wants to thank and honor its 911 dispatchers and telecommunicators everywhere for their unwavering commitment, service, and sacrifice to help keep their communities safer.
