Jefferson County Fire and Emergency Management

753 Waterman Dr. Watertown, NY 13601

Office 315-786-2654
FAX 315-785-3301
Dispatch 315-786-2601

Joseph D. Plummer Frederick D. Lampman

Director Deputy Director
josephp@co.jefferson.ny.us flampman@co.jefferson.ny.us

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

JEFFERSON COUNTY OFFICE OF FIRE AND EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT

CELEBRATES NATIONAL PUBLIC SAFETY TELECOMMUNICATIONS WEEK

April 11, 2011 Watertown, NY – The Jefferson County Office of Fire and Emergency Management is
celebrating the second full week of April (April 10-16, 2011) as National Public Safety
Telecommunications Week. This week, sponsored by the Association of Public-Safety Communications
Officials (APCO) International and celebrated annually, honors the thousands of men and women who
respond to emergency calls, dispatch emergency professionals and equipment, and render life-saving
assistance to the world’s citizens.

The Jefferson County Office of Fire & Emergency Management is charged with overseeing the operations
of the County’s 9-1-1 Emergency Communications Center. The Center is staffed 24 hours a day, 365
days a year by 21 Full Time Public Safety Dispatchers and 3 Full Time Dispatch Supervisors. The
dedicated men and woman who comprise the 9-1-1 Center undergo continual education and training to
stand ready for any emergency situation.

Most people do not think about the people behind the voices of 9-1-1 until they need to call for help.
Some people equate 9-1-1 with police cars and fire trucks, with lights and sirens blaring, or an ambulance
speeding off to a hospital emergency room. While police, fire, and ambulances are obviously linked to 9-
1-1, it may be difficult to visualize the people who perform the functions behind the scenes. 9-1-1
dispatchers are the “first” first responders in emergencies. In addition to the long hours, holidays, and
weekends worked that these professionals endure, the 9-1-1 dispatchers often volunteer their time in other
ways to support the community, such as helping to educate children about 9-1-1, participating in school
events, and lending a helping hand for various community causes.

This week is dedicated to Public Safety Telecommunicators who aid in providing 9-1-1 emergency
assistance to citizens everywhere. The term “9-1-1” is often associated with rapid emergency response,
poise under pressure, aid and compassion in times of distress, and critical decision-making within
seconds. Many people do not stop to think about these seemingly nameless, faceless individuals until they
experience an actual emergency themselves. These professionals make the difference between life and
death in many instances.

For more information on Jefferson County 9-1-1 and National Telecommunicator Week please visit our
Department website at www.co.jefferson.ny.us/index.aspx?page=431

Jefferson County Home of the Thousand Islands & U.S. Army 10th Mountain Division