In conjunction with National Telecommunicator’s Week Mayor Isabell Boyd proclaimed the week of April 8-14, 2018, Telecommunicator’s Week in Brundidge.

Boyd said emergencies that require police or emergency medical services can occur at any time.

“When they do, the prompt response of police officers and paramedics is critical to the protection of life and the preservation of property,” Boyd said. “The safety of our responding police officers is dependent upon the quality and accuracy of information obtained from those that call the Brundidge Police Department Communications Center.”

Boyd said the public safety dispatchers at the Brundidge Police Department have contributed to the apprehension of criminals and the treatment of patient.

“We want to honor and recognize them for their commitment to the Brundidge community and the professionalism they demonstrate in doing their jobs,” Boyd said.

Brundidge Police Chief Moses Davenport expressed appreciation to Boyd and the Brundidge City Council for the public acknowledgement of the outstanding performance displayed by the public safety dispatchers of the Brundidge Police Department.

“I hope that people understand the important role dispatchers play in emergency situations,” Davenport said. “They have a grave responsibility. Their actions can sometimes mean the difference between life and death. It’s the dispatchers’ responsibility to get the information our officers and emergency personnel must have to respond quickly and be prepared for the situation at hand.”

In securing the information that is needed, Davenport said dispatchers must conduct themselves professionally and courteously.

“The way a dispatcher responds to a 911 caller can determine whether they get the information that is needed,” he said. “Dispatchers are like air traffic controllers. They have to get emergency personnel where they are needed. And, they must know what situation they will encounter when they get there.

“When a caller is extremely upset, maybe hysterical, if the dispatcher can calm that person down, they have a better chance of getting the information they need to relay to the police officers and emergency personnel.”

Davenport said he couldn’t say enough good things about the public safety dispatchers at the Brundidge PD.

“They know that any time that phone rings their actions could play a role in the outcome of the situation,” he said. “They take their jobs very seriously. They are compassionate and caring people and that makes them excellent dispatchers.”