Emergency Communications Representatives accept resolutions from House and Senate in honor of NPSTW

Left to Right: Angie Stiefermann (MOAPCO), Bryan Maydwell (911 Sevice Board), Kevin Wieberg (911DA), April Ford (MONENA), Zachary Dykes (MOAPCO) and Rep. Lane Roberts.

Public Safety Telecommunicators Welcomed at the State Capitol Building

On Tuesday, April 13, 2021, representatives from the Missouri Chapter of APCO, the Missouri Chapter of NENA, the Missouri 911 Director’s Association and the Missouri 911 Service Board were invited to the state capitol in order to receive recognition on behalf of all emergency communications professionals in Missouri.

While at the Capitol, these four individuals were introduced to both Missouri’s House of Representatives as well as Senate and on behalf of all of Missouri’s roughly 1600 emergency communications telecommunicators, received a standing ovation from the House of Representatives.

“… they are the gateway to public safety; they are also the lifeline to those who are in the field. 

When a public safety dispatcher makes a mistake somebody gets hurt, they are well aware of this. So, when that 9-1-1 phone rings they get the same adrenalin dump that anyone in the field would get… but there is a major difference…” 

– Rep. Lane Roberts

Watch as Rep. Lane Roberts introduces and honors Missouri Emergency Communications Officials before Missouri’s House of Representatives on April 13, 2021

Just a few minutes later, the group was ushered to the opposite side of the building to meet with Senator Karla Eslinger who wished to honor the hard work and dedication of the men and women of the emergency communications profession and bestowed a senatorial resolution in honor of National Public Safety Telecommunicator Week.  

After meeting with the Senator, the group was ushered into the Senate Chambers and were once again welcomed by our state legislature. 

Watch as Senator Karla Eslinger honors Missouri’s Public Safety Telecommunicators before the Missouri Senate on April 13, 2021.

It was an honor to be among those representing all of Missouri’s emergency communications professionals. I am grateful to each and every call taker, dispatcher, radio operator, technician, supervisor and director in the state of Missouri for their hard work and dedication. – Zachary Dykes, President , Missouri APCO

House Resolution Number 825.

Senate Resolution number 231

House Resolution Number 825 reads

Whereas, emergencies that require police, fire or emergency medical services can occur at any time; and 

Whereas, when an emergency occurs the prompt response of police officers, firefighters and paramedics is critical to the protection of life and the preservation of property; and 

Whereas, the safety of our police officers, firefighters and emergency medical service professionals is dependent upon the quality and accuracy of information obtained from citizens who telephone state’s emergency communications centers; and 

Whereas, Public Safety Telecommunicators are the first and most critical contact our citizens have with emergency services; and 

Whereas, Public Saftey Telecommunicators are the single vital link for our police officers, firefighters, and emergency medical service professionals by monitoring their activities by radio, providing them information and ensuring their safety; and 

Whereas, Public Safety Telecommunicators of Missouri have contributed substantially to the apprehension of criminals, suppression of fires and treatment of patients; and

Whereas, dispatchers have exhibited compassion, understanding, and professionalism during the performance of their jobs over this past year:

Now, therefore, be it resolved that we, the members of the Missouri House of Representatives, One Hundred First General Assembly, join in celebrating National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week in Missouri April 11-17, 2021, in honor of the men and women whose diligence and professionalism keep Missourians safe; and 

Be it further resolved that the Chief Clerk of the Missouri House of Representatives be instructed to prepare a properly inscribed copy of this resolution for presentation during National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week.  

 

Senate Resolution Number 231reads

Whereas, the members of the Missouri Senate proudly pause to recognize National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week, which will be held April 11-17, 2021; and

Whereas, sponsored by the Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials (APCO) International and celebrated annually, this week honors the thousands of hardworking and dedicated individuals who respond to emergency calls, dispatch emergency professionals and equipment and render life-saving assistance to the world’s citizens; and 

Whereas, initially set up in 1981 by Patricia Anderson of the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office in California, National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week is a time to celebrate and thank those who dedicate their lives to serving the public; and 

Whereas, emergencies can occur at any time that require police, fire or emergency medical services, and the prompt response of police officers, firefighters and paramedics is critical to the protection of life and preservation of property; and 

Whereas, public safety communicators are the first contact citizens have with emergency services, and the safety of our police officers, firefighters and emergency medical professionals is dependent upon the quality and accuracy of information obtained from citizens who telephones states’ emergency communications centers; and 

Whereas, public safety communicators are a vital link for police officers, firefighters and emergency medical services professionals, by monitoring their activities by radio, providing them with information, and ensuring their safety; and

Whereas, public safety telecommunicators have contributed substantially to the apprehension of criminals, suppression of fires and treatment of patients; and

Whereas, dispatchers have exhibited compassion, understanding, and professionalism during the performance of their jobs over this past year:

Now, therefore, be it resolved that we, the members of the Missouri Senate, One Hundred First General Assembly, extend our most sincere best wishes and appreciation to Missouri’s public safety telecommunicators and thank them for all the sacrifices they make to create a safety and better world; and

Be it further resolved that the Secretary of the Senate be instructed to prepare a properly inscribed copy of this resolution for presentation during National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week.