HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 04-05-2016 - 4-c - Public Safety Telecommunications Week 1
ORANGE COUNTY
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT
Meeting Date: April 5, 2016
Action Agenda
Item No. 4-c
SUBJECT: Public Safety Telecommunications Week
DEPARTMENT: Emergency Services
ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT:
Kevin Medlin, 919-245-6100
Proclamation Dinah Jeffries, 919-245-6100
PURPOSE: To proclaim the week of April 10 through 16, 2016 as Public Safety
Telecommunications Week in Orange County.
BACKGROUND: Every year across the nation, the second full week of April is dedicated to the
professional women and men who serve as public safety telecommunicators. First conceived
by Patricia Anderson of the Contra Costa County (Calif.) Sheriff's Office in 1981, this practice
was recognized by Rep. Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) in what became H.J. Res. 284 to create
"National Public Safety Telecommunicator Week". With the continued efforts of the
International Association of Public Safety Communications Officials and the National
Emergency Number Association, the act to recognize public safety telecommunicators became
a permanent proclamation in 1994.
Each day hundreds of Orange County residents and those passing through rely on the
expertise and dedication of public safety telecommunicators. These professionals help save
countless lives by responding to emergency calls, dispatching law enforcement, fire and
emergency medical personnel and equipment and providing support to the residents and
visitors of this county. Their skills in high-pressure situations allow rapid emergency response,
aid and compassion in times of great distress and critical decision-making within seconds.
Orange County Communications is the primary answering point for all emergency and non-
emergency service calls in the county. In 2015 NC PSAP's (Public Safety Answering Points)
answered 7.7 million 9-1-1 calls. Orange County 9-1-1 Telecommunicators answered 82,186 9-
1-1 calls and handled 131,697 administrative calls. The telecommunicators dispatched over
180,000 calls for service with an average of 5 telecommunicators on duty. The communications
center operates twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week with a staff of twenty-six full time
telecommunicators, and one part-time telecommunicator.
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Orange County's Telecommunicators continue to strive for excellence in their performance and
are among the highest trained in the state.
Orange County's Telecommunicators provide a valuable service to the residents, visitors and to
public safety providers.
FINANCIAL IMPACT: None.
SOCIAL JUSTICE IMPACT: The following Orange County Social Justice Goals are applicable
to this agenda item:
• CREATE A SAFE COMMUNITY
The reduction of risks from vehicle/traffic accidents, childhood and senior injuries, gang
activity, substance abuse and domestic violence.
Through recognition and activities associated with Public Safety Telecommunications Week,
Orange County shows its appreciation for employees who help promote and maintain safety in
the community.
RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the Board approve the Proclamation
and authorize the Chair to sign it.
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ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
PUBLIC SAFETY TELECOMMUNICATIONS WEEK
2016
A PROCLAMATION
WHEREAS, Thousands of dedicated Telecommunicators daily serve the residents of the
United States and Canada by answering their telephone calls for law enforcement, fire, and
emergency medical services by dispatching the appropriate assistance as quickly as
possible; and
WHEREAS, Professional Telecommunicators are the link between those residents who
call for help and the agencies which provide the help; and
WHEREAS, The critical functions performed by professional Telecommunicators impact
all aspects of public safety and include those performed by forestry and conservation
operations, highway safety and maintenance activities, and many other operations
performed by federal, state and local government agencies; and
WHEREAS, Professional Telecommunicators work to improve the emergency response
capabilities of these communication systems through their leadership and participation in
training programs and other activities provided by the Association of Public Safety
Communications Officials - International and the National Emergency Number
Association; and
WHEREAS, These associations are organizations of more than 100,000 people engaged
in the design, installation and operation of emergency response communications that have
set aside the week beginning April 10, 2016 to recognize Telecommunicators and their
crucial role in the protection of life and property;
NOW, THEREFORE, we, the Orange County Board of Commissioners, do hereby
proclaim the week of April 10-16, 2016 as "Public Safety Telecommunications Week" in
Orange County, North Carolina, in honor and recognition of our County's
Telecommunicators and the vital contributions they make to the safety and well being of
our residents, those passing through our county and our public safety providers.
Adopted this 5th day of April 2016.
Earl McKee, Chair
Orange County Board of Commissioners