Last Updated: April 15, 2025
During National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week, April 13-19, 2025, we recognize and honor the telecommunications personnel who serve their communities by answering 911 calls, non-emergency calls, dispatching units and assisting a caller until help arrives.
Emergency Telecommunicators serve as the first, first responder. This week-long event, initially set up in 1981 by Patricia Anderson of the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office in California, is a time to celebrate and thank those who dedicate their lives to serving the public.
The Virginia Office of Emergency Medical Services (OEMS) maintains an accreditation program for 911 Public Safety Answering Points (PSAP) and emergency dispatch centers. This is to promote the implementation of emergency medical dispatch (EMD) protocols and continued training and education in this area.
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