HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda 04-16-24; 8-b - Public Safety Telecommunicators Week Proclamation 1
ORANGE COUNTY
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT
Meeting Date: April 16, 2024
Action Agenda
Item No. 8-b
SUBJECT: Public Safety Telecommunicators Week Proclamation
DEPARTMENT: Emergency Services
ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT:
Kirby Saunders, Emergency Services
Proclamation Director, 919-245-6123
Christopher Ward, Division Chief—
Public Safety Communications, 919-
245-6139
PURPOSE: To approve a proclamation recognizing the week of April 14 - 20, 2024 as Public
Safety Telecommunicators Week in Orange County, and highlighting them as First Responders
for the amazing work they do throughout the year.
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 (California) Sheriff's Office in 1981, this practice
was recognized by Representative Edward J. Markey (D-Massachusetts) in what became House
Joint Resolution 284 to establish "National Public Safety Telecommunicator Week". With the
continued efforts of the Association of Public Safety Communications Officials International 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 answering emergency calls, dispatching law enforcement, fire, and emergency medical
personnel and equipment, as well as providing support to the residents of and visitors to Orange
County. Their skills in high-pressure situations assist in providing rapid emergency response, aid,
and compassion in times of great distress and critical decision-making within seconds.
Orange County Public Safety Communications is the primary answering point for all emergency
and non-emergency service calls in the County. In 2023 NC Public Safety Answering Points
(PSAPs) answered 7.2 million 9-1-1 calls. Orange County Public Safety Telecommunicators
answered 87,427 9-1-1 calls and handled over 87,540 administrative calls. 95.48% of 9-1-1 calls
were answered within ten seconds. The telecommunicators dispatched over 82,000 calls for
service with an average of five (5) telecommunicators on-duty. The public safety communications
center operates twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, three hundred sixty-five days a year,
with a staff of thirty-one (31) full-time Public Safety Telecommunicators.
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Orange County's Public Safety Telecommunicators continue to strive for excellence in their
performance and are among the most highly trained in the state.
Orange County's Public Safety Telecom municators provide a valuable service to residents,
visitors, and public safety providers.
FINANCIAL IMPACT: There is no financial impact applicable to consideration of the attached
proclamation.
SOCIAL JUSTICE IMPACT: The following Orange County Social Justice Goal is applicable to
this item:
• GOAL: CREATE A SAFE COMMUNITY
The reduction of risks associated with vehicle/traffic accidents, child and senior injuries,
gang activity, substance abuse, and domestic violence.
Through recognition and activities associated with National Public Safety Telecom municators
Week, Orange County shows its appreciation for dedicated employees who help promote and
maintain safety in the community.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT: There is no Orange County Environmental Responsibility Goal
impact applicable to consideration of the attached proclamation.
RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the Board approve the proclamation
and authorize the Chair to sign.
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ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
PUBLIC SAFETY TELECOMMUNICATORS WEEK
2024
PROCLAMATION
WHEREAS, emergencies can occur at any time that requires law enforcement, fire, or emergency
medical services; and
WHEREAS, when an emergency occurs, the prompt response of law enforcement officers,
firefighters, and paramedics is critical to the protection of life and preservation of property; and
WHEREAS, the safety of our law enforcement officers and firefighters is dependent upon the
quality and accuracy of information obtained from individuals who telephone the Orange County
Emergency Services Public Safety Communications Center; and
WHEREAS,Public Safety Telecommunicators are the first,and most critical contact residents and
visitors have with emergency services; and
WHEREAS, Public Safety Telecommunicators are the single vital link for law enforcement,
medical responders, and firefighters by monitoring their activities via computer and radio,
providing pertinent information, and helping to ensure their safety; and
WHEREAS, Public Safety Telecommunicators of Orange County Emergency Services have
contributed substantially to the apprehension of criminals, suppression of fires, and treatment of
patients; and
WHEREAS, each Public Safety Telecommunicator of Orange County Emergency Services has
exhibited compassion, understanding, and professionalism during the performance of their job in
the past year;
NOW, THEREFORE, we, the Orange County Board of Commissioners, do hereby proclaim the
week of April 14 through 20, 2024 as Public Safety Telecommunicators Week, in honor and
recognition of our County's Public Safety Telecommunicators whose diligence and
professionalism help keep our county,residents, and visitors safe.
Adopted this 16ffi day of April,2024.
Jamezetta Bedford, Chair
Orange County Board of Commissioners