Braintree Police Department Celebrates National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week

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BRAINTREE — Chief Mark W. Dubois and the Braintree Police Department would like to recognize the department’s public safety dispatchers during National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week.

During the week of April 12-18, public safety agencies take time to reflect on the critical role telecommunications professionals play in supporting the work of first responders. This week honors the thousands of men and women across the country who respond to emergency calls, dispatch first responders and equipment and render life-saving assistance to residents.

“February 16,1968 was a memorable day for public safety, as it marked the first time a 9-1-1 call was ever made. In the five decades since, emergency communication centers and their dedicated teams have become the first contact for emergency response. Telecommunicators are the first voice that we hear when we call for help.” Chief Dubois said. “The current COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the work of Braintree’s emergency telecommunications professionals as they are the first to assist people in need, identify their emergency and help our officers to respond accordingly keeping everyone involved as informed and safe as possible.”

Braintree’s nine Emergency Communicators are specially trained to handle thousands of calls for service every year. While their work is done outside of the view of the public, they are an essential resource for first responders and the public alike and serve as the first point of contact for members of the public seeking help in an emergency. In 2019, dispatchers answered over 12,500 emergency 911 calls. In addition to 911 calls, dispatchers answer hundreds of business line calls for service each day. These professionals are the lifeline for first responders on the street.

In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, dispatchers are on the front lines with first responders ensuring that they have all the information needed to safely respond to calls for service. In an average month, Braintree dispatchers typically receive 2300 calls that are assigned for service.

About APCO International

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, and it sponsors National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week each year.

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.

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