Klickitat County Department of Emergency Management (KCDEM) is celebrating the second full week of April (April 11-17, 2021) as National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week. Sponsored by the Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials (APCO) International, this week is celebrated annually, honoring the thousands of men and women who respond to emergency calls, dispatch emergency personnel and equipment, and render life-saving assistance to the world’s citizens.
This year’s celebration, in particular, has an extra special meaning for KCDEM. In November, 2020, Commutations Officer Pam Schilling, was awarded the 2020 Telecommunicator of the Year award for the State of Washington. Pam was chosen for this state award out of all the eligible Telecommunicators in Washington.
As part of this year’s celebration, the First Responders of Klickitat County will be participating in a parade in their emergency response vehicles. This parade will take place at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, April 14th, 2021. The parade will proceed from Brooks St., south on Columbus Ave. past the Dispatch Center at 199 Industrial Way. The first responders will show their appreciation to the Communications Officers of Klickitat County with a lights and siren salute as well as a short tribute over the public safety radio system.
Emergencies can occur at any time that require police, fire or emergency medical services. When an emergency occurs the prompt response of emergency personnel is critical to the protection of life and preservation of property. The safety of our emergency responders is dependent upon the quality and accuracy of information obtained from citizens who telephone the Klickitat County 9-1-1 Dispatch center.
KCDEM Communications Officers are the first and most critical contact our citizens have with emergency services and are the single vital link for our emergency responders by monitoring their activities via radio, providing them critical information and insuring their safety.
Communications Officers of KCDEM have contributed substantially to the apprehension of criminals, suppression of fires and treatment of patients. Each KCDEM Communications Officer has exhibited compassion, understanding and professionalism during the performance of their duties in the past year and we have chosen this week to honor the men and women whose diligence and professionalism keep our county and citizens safe.
The Board of County Commissioners have recognized National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week and honored 9-1-1 Telecommunicators by releasing an official proclamation.
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For more about Klickitat County Department of Emergency Management go to http://www.klickitatcounty.org/249/Emergency-Management
APCO International® (www.apcointl.org)
APCO International is the world’s oldest and largest organization of public safety communications professionals and supports the largest U.S. membership base of any public safety association. It serves the needs of public safety communications practitioners worldwide – and the welfare of the general public as a whole – by providing complete expertise, professional development, technical assistance, advocacy and outreach. For more information, visit www.npstw.org.