This week, April 12-18, 2020, has been designated National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week. This is a week that has been set aside to acknowledge the efforts of Public Safety Communications Officers.
The 9-1-1 Communications Officers are considered the first First Responders. They are the first on the scene of every emergency. These amazing people work with citizens when they are having the worst day of their lives and when that call is over, they do it again several times during their shift.
When one observes Communications Officers at work, it appears to be a tumultuous and chaotic operation, but it is in fact a well-orchestrated team effort. In addition to answering 9-1-1 calls, the Communications Officers also dispatch Law Enforcement, Fire, and Emergency Medical Services, as well as numerous support agencies. They also work with the Montana Criminal Justice Information Center (CJIN) as well as the National Crime Information Center (NCIC).
Please take a few moments to acknowledge the efforts of these amazing individuals: Dave McPherson, Barbara Gray, JR Gonzalez, Cindy Vook, Jim McKinnon, Jessika Sayler, Kris McDonald, Kordette Kuroski, Jennifer Bailey, Blake Kraus, Guy Quam, and Jennette Miller.
Through the vigilant efforts of these exceptional men and women, our Law Enforcement Officers, Firefighters, Emergency Medical Service personnel, and the citizens and visitors of Butte-Silver Bow can find a certain degree of comfort knowing these individuals are watching out for them.
These Communications Officers work tirelessly to make Butte-Silver Bow a safer place to live and work, and we thank them so much.