This week marks the annual National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week (NPSTW). Held every year during the second week of April, NPSTW is a time to recognize telecommunications personnel in the public safety community for their service and commitment to the profession.
The entire FirstNet organization extends its appreciation to the dispatchers, telecommunicators, police officers, firefighters, paramedics, and other public safety personnel for the important work they do every day to keep their communities safe and secure.
"After having spent over 30 years in public safety communications, I fully appreciate and value the unique skills and professional attributes that are essential to performing the duties of our 9-1-1 call-takers and dispatchers. It is with this understanding and admiration that I extend my thanks and congratulations to the men and women who manage and staff our 9-1-1 agencies across the country."
- Bill Hinkle, FirstNet Senior 9-1-1 Advisor
Please check the NPSTW website for ideas, information, and other useful resources to help mark this important week. Also, the Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials (APCO) has been collecting stories about being a telecommunicator in the weeks leading up to NPSTW and will be sharing them on the NPSTW website throughout the week.
In addition to NPSTW, there are many other opportunities to recognize and honor the nation’s public safety personnel throughout the year. Here is a sample of upcoming public safety events and memorials in 2016.
- National 9-1-1 Education Month: April 1-30
- Public Service Recognition Week: May 1-7
- International Firefighters Day: May 4
- National Police Week: May 15-21
- National Police Officers’ Memorial Day: May 15
- National EMS Week: May 15-21
- Safety Stand Down (Formerly the International Fire/EMS Safety & Health Week): June 19-25
- National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Weekend: October 8-9
Perhaps you know of other commemorative activities that are specific to your region, state or town. Let us know via Twitter. You can find us at @FirstNetGov or use the hashtag #FirstNet.
Thank you!
-FirstNet
