Celebrating National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week

Honoring the Hidden Heroes

As this year's National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week (NPSTW) comes to a close, let's take a moment to reflect on these individuals and their impact on us every day. In the U.S. alone, more than 240 million calls are made to 911 each year. Behind every one of those calls is a trained professional ready to respond—regardless of the time or intensity of the situation. That being said, 911 dispatchers are still not recognized as first responders in 25 states, even though they are the first, first responders.

Every year during the second week of April, we take time to honor this group of professionals who are often heard but rarely seen—our 911 dispatchers and telecommunicators. National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week is a time to recognize the unsung heroes who serve as the critical link between our communities and emergency services. This tradition began in the 1980s as a way to honor the voices behind the scenes. Over time, it has grown into a nationwide effort to shine a light on the hard work and dedication of these often-overlooked emergency workers.

This week is not only about gratitude—it’s about awareness. It reminds us of the emotional toll and high-stakes nature of this work, and why recognizing and supporting dispatchers is essential to public safety as a whole.

The People Behind the Headset.

It’s easy to think of dispatchers as just voices on the other end of the line—calm, efficient, and composed. And while that’s often true, we need to make a point to recognize them for their personal and individual value. They are parents, partners, veterans, students, and community members. They are people we see and interact with every day, with lives before and after every shift, yet they carry the weight of hundreds of calls that many of us will never have to face even once. 

Dispatchers deal with their own battles every day, fighting compassion fatigue, anxiety, and secondary trauma, yet continue to show up shift after shift. Despite the mental and emotional strain, they put the needs of their community ahead of their own time and again. This bravery is something to be admired—they don’t ask for credit but deserve all of our respect.

These professionals bring heart and humanity to a job that most people would find overwhelming. They don’t wear badges or capes, but they carry an immense responsibility with empathy, grace, and resilience. Behind every headset is a real person doing an extraordinary job in quiet anonymity. NPSTW gives us a chance to say: we see you, and we thank you.

Looking Forward

As we move on from this year's NPSTW, we must remember that recognition and respect don’t just exist in the confines of these few days. Public safety telecommunicators are the backbone of emergency response. They show up every day for us so why can’t we do this in return? Going forward, let's all take a moment to honor these remarkable professionals not just in the time that we are told to, but on our own, every day. And every time you hear a siren or see a flashing light, remember the voice behind the scenes that helped make it happen.

To all our dispatchers and telecommunicators: thank you. This week—and every week—we are grateful for you.