A Message from APCO’s President

During the week of April 8 – 14, 2018, our emergency communications centers around the country will be celebrating their public safety telecommunicators in a variety of ways. One of the simplest and easiest ways to celebrate these professionals is through recognition of what they do every day, which is answer calls from our citizens during times of distress and emergency situations that are sometimes unimaginable. These professionals do this with grace and compassion.

Not only do they perform this job, which may involve providing pre-arrival instructions to assist in the rendering of medical aid, they also provide support as a voice on the radio or behind a computer screen, to the thousands of men and women, who serve as our communities’ first responders, as they provide law enforcement, emergency medical services and fire protection services across this nation.

This past year has been extremely challenging not only for our nation’s public safety first responders, but for our public safety telecommunicators as well. There have been disasters and major emergencies that have occurred in every corner of our country. From the devastating shootings of multiple innocent people, to the ravaging wild fires, the unbelievable flooding impact from multiple hurricanes and severe weather, our public safety telecommunicators have remained vigilant and steadfast in their duties to assist those when they call for help.

All of these public safety telecommunicators deserve recognition for what they do, not only in times of major emergencies, but what they do every day when they report to duty. On behalf of APCO’s Executive Committee, we want to recognize you and say thank you for your unwavering dedication, professionalism, and for your fierce commitment to caring for others. We recognize the importance of what you do.

Please take time during this week to recognize and celebrate yourselves.

Martha Carter
President, APCO International