TO THE EDITOR:
National Public Safety Telecommunicator Week is April 9-15. It is a way for us to recognize public safety telecommunicators for performing mission-critical tasks behind the scenes to support police, fire and emergency medical personnel.
The general public can honor their call-takers and dispatchers by participating in local celebrations or sending thank-you notes to their local communications center. The address for the Regional Emergency Dispatch Authority is:
Regional Emergency Dispatch Authority
P.O. Box 450
Artesia, N.M. 88211-0450
The Artesia Police Department wishes to express our gratitude and thanks for all the professionals at REDA do for us, the other law enforcement agencies working in north Eddy County, as well as fire, rescue and emergency medical agencies. Without these dedicated workers, the information would not be collected, controlled or dispatched properly. This has much to do with the day-to-day safety of the citizens.
Initially conceived in 1981 by Patricia Anderson of the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office in California, Telecommunicators Week was created to raise public awareness of the hard work and dedication of public safety telecommunicators. In October 1991, APCO International successfully lobbied to receive a formal proclamation by Congress, renaming the week National Public Safety Telecommunicator Week (NPSTW) to recognize all public safety communications professionals who provide a vital link to the public safety services on which Americans rely every day.
Thank you,
Cmdr. Lindell Smith, APD
