HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda 04-07-2026; 8-d - Public Safety Telecommunicators Week Proclamation 1
ORANGE COUNTY
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT
Meeting Date: April 7, 2026
Action Agenda
Item No. 8-d
SUBJECT: Public Safety Telecommunicators Week Proclamation
DEPARTMENT: Emergency Services
ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT:
Proclamation Kirby Saunders, Emergency Services
Director, 919-245-6123
Christopher Ward, Division Chief—
Public Safety Communications, 919-
245-6139
PURPOSE: To approve a proclamation recognizing the week of April 12-18, 2026, as Public
Safety Telecommunicators Week in Orange County, highlighting 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 create "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 2025, Orange County Public Safety
Telecommunicators answered 88,921 9-1-1 calls and handled over 83,000 administrative calls.
For 9-1-1 calls, 96% were answered within ten (10) seconds. The telecommunicators dispatched
over 77,000 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 and 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.
ALIGNMENT WITH STRATEGIC PLAN: This item supports:
• GOAL 2: HEALTHY COMMUNITY
OBJECTIVE 5. Invest in, support, train, and retain our community safety, health, and
emergency services employees and direct care workforce.
OBJECTIVE 6. Provide sustainable, equitable, and high-quality community safety and
emergency services to meet the community's evolving needs.
Through recognition and activities associated with National Public Safety Telecommunicators
Week, Orange County shows its appreciation for dedicated 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.
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ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
PUBLIC SAFETY TELECOMMUNICATORS WEEK
2026
PROCLAMATION
WHEREAS, emergencies can occur at any time that require police, fire, or emergency
medical services; and
WHEREAS, when an emergency occurs, the prompt response of police officers,
firefighters, and paramedics is critical to the protection of life and preservation of property;
and
WHEREAS, the safety of our police officers and firefighters is dependent upon the quality
and accuracy of information obtained from individuals who call 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 Telecom municators are the single vital link for police officers,
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 Telecom municators 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 for 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, hereby proclaim
the week of April 12 through 18, 2026 as Public Safety Telecom municators 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 7th day of April, 2026.
Jean Hamilton, Chair
Orange County Board of Commissioners