ROANOKE COUNTY, VA (April 14, 2014) –The Roanoke County Emergency Communication Center (ECC) is celebrating National Public Safety Telecommunicator Week. In 1991, Congress first proclaimed the second week of April as a nationally recognized week of recognition of the dedicated men and women who serve as public safety telecommunicators.
These professionals are engaged in the operation of emergency response systems for the County of Roanoke, and are responsible for dispatching appropriate assistance to help save the lives and property of citizens.
“Modern public safety agencies cannot function without 911 coordination,” says Bill Hunter, director of Communications and Information Technology. “Telecommunicators are the lifeline between our citizens and the first responders. This is not an easy job and statistically only 2% of the population has the skill set to be a Communications Officer.”
The center's 40 communications officers last year processed over 52,500 emergency 911 calls and nearly 133,800 non-emergency calls for the county’s police, fire and EMS agencies. The ECC reached its goal of dispatching high priority calls for service within two to three minutes, 95% to 97% of the time.
Citizens are welcome to visit the ECC and can do so by calling 777-8656 to schedule an appointment.
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For more information about the communications center, please contact:
Pat Shumate, Chief Communication Officer
County of Roanoke Emergency Communication Center
Phone (540) 777-8656
E-mail pshumate@roanokecountyva.gov