HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 04-04-2017 - 8-e - Public Safety Telecommunications Week Proclamation 1
ORANGE COUNTY
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT
Meeting Date: April 4, 2017
Action Agenda
Item No. 8-e
SUBJECT: Public Safety Telecommunications Week Proclamation
DEPARTMENT: Emergency Services
ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT:
Proclamation Kevin Medlin, 919-245-6100
Dinah Jeffries, 919-245-6100
PURPOSE: To adopt a proclamation designating the week of April 9 through 15, 2017 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 House Joint Resolution 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
nonemergency service calls in the County. In 2016 NC PSAP's (Public Safety Answering Points)
answered 7. 8 million 9- 1- 1 calls. Orange County 9- 1- 1 Telecommunicators answered 99,093
emergency calls and handled 144,341 administrative calls. The telecommunicators dispatched
over 180, 000 calls for service with an average of 6 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 and 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 Goal is applicable to
this agenda item:
• GOAL: 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
2017
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, has set aside the week
beginning April 9, 2017 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 9-15, 2017 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 4th day of April 2017.
Mark Dorosin, Chair
Orange County Board of Commissioners