Do you ever wonder who the person is behind your emergency calls to 911? An Emergency
Telecommunication Dispatcher (ETD) is the voice on the other end of the line that remains calm during an emergency. An ETD’s job often involves assisting callers who are disoriented, panicked and unable to think, and they stay on the line until help arrives.
In recognition of National Public Safety Telecommunications Week (NPSTW), Board
Commissioner John Lanza, recently paid a visit to the Hunterdon County Communications
Center, located at 201 Cherryville Road, in Flemington. Commissioner Lanza presented Brayden Fahey, Division Head for the Hunterdon County Department of Public Safety, and the
telecommunications staff with a proclamation of appreciation and thanks.
Lanza, who also serves as the liaison to the Department of Public Safety stated, “Since 1981,
NPSTW has been observed in the month of April, to honor and thank the men and women who answer 911 calls. This is an important time to recognize and celebrate the work of
telecommunicators that help to save countless lives every day.
If it weren’t for these employees flawlessly doing their jobs, billions of lives would be lost due to untimely assistance. We honor and thank those invisible telecommunicators who have
continued to serve in this demanding profession.
Emergency telecommunicators work round-the-clock on a 24/7 schedule, to take information
from the public about crimes, threats, fires, acts of terrorism, medical emergencies, and other
emergency matters to coordinate and connect with emergency response personnel. They must maintain a calm attitude during times of stress, display self-control during emergency situations and be constantly mindful of the welfare of others.
