[Archived] City of Alexandria Celebrates National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week, April 8-14

For Immediate Release: April 11, 2018

The City of Alexandria joins the nation in celebrating National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week, April 8-14. The annual recognition is dedicated to thanking and honoring those who serve as the "first of the first responders," receiving 911 calls and providing 24-hour assistance to those in need of fire, police and emergency medical services.  

"During National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week, we recognize and thank the 911 dispatchers who provide a calm, reassuring voice and assist us at the times of our greatest need," said Mayor Allison Silberberg. "These public safety professionals serve as a vital community resource and as a key part of our region's emergency response network."

Dispatchers in the City's Department of Emergency Communications (DEC) handled approximately 288,000 emergency and non-emergency voice and text calls last year.  Public safety telecommunicators are certified to provide lifesaving information to callers by phone and dispatch police officers, firefighters, and paramedics in the field.

"Public safety telecommunicators play a crucial role in our community," said City Manager Mark Jinks. "We are grateful for their dedication and service this week and every week."

In March, Alexandria's 911 center obtained Public Safety Communications Accreditation through the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc. (CALEA). Alexandria's 911 center is the only one in the region, and one of only seven in Virginia, to hold such accreditation. DEC was one of several local and regional first response agencies recognized at a White House ceremony for their critical role in the City's response to the June 14, 2017, shooting incident at Simpson Stadium Park.

In the last year, DEC has implemented several enhancements to the City's 911 services, including the ability for those who cannot call to text to 911, and the ability for residents and businesses to create Smart911 profiles to provide critical information to dispatchers in advance of emergencies.

For more information about the Department of Emergency Communications, visit alexandriava.gov/DEC.  For more information about 911 services, visit alexandriava.gov/911.

For media inquiries, contact Andrea Blackford, Senior Communications Officer, at andrea.blackford@alexandriava.gov or 703.746.3959.