The week of April 14 through April 20, 2013, is National Public Safety Telecommunications Week. This is a designated time when the public can thank the men and women who answer emergency calls and dispatch resources to crisis situations. The public may show gratitude to 9-1-1 calltakers, dispatchers, technicians that maintain radio and emergency phone systems, communications staff trainers, communications center personnel, and other public safety telecommunications staff across the country who work tirelessly, often behind the scenes, to help during emergencies.

National Telecommunications Week began in 1981 in the effort to recognize and honor the hard work and dedication of the telecommunicators in emergency services. Congress made a formal proclamation in October 1991 to designate the second week in April as National Public Safety Telecommunications Week.

Patricia Anderson of the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office in California set up the first week-long event in 1981 and the Corpus Christi Police celebrates the service of the telecommunicators in 2013.