Great Lakes Wire

The State 911 Committee (SNC) is honoring Michigan telecommunicators during National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week from April 14-20. Ms. Joni Harvey, State 911 Administrator, highlighted the dedication and advancements made by these professionals in the past year, stating, "Our 911 professionals have provided a year of exceptional service for Michigan’s residents, visitors, and our public safety partners. It was a year of advancement with many centers adding new technology such as video, what3words, and location-based routing for wireless 911 emergency calls."

Telecommunicators in Michigan play a crucial role in dispatching emergency responses and providing pre-arrival instructions. They handle various types of emergency calls, activate weather alerts, and coordinate additional incident responses. The SNC Chair, Mr. Jeff Troyer, emphasized the importance of recognizing these unsung heroes, saying, "National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week is dedicated to the men and women who serve as the heartbeat to public safety emergency services."

Established in 1999, the SNC works to enhance 911 systems across Michigan. The organization shared some quick facts about 911 services in the state, including the number of calls and texts handled by telecommunicators annually. Michigan currently has approximately 2,200 certified telecommunicators who undergo rigorous training and education to ensure efficient emergency response.

As Michigan continues to advance its 911 services, with many counties transitioning to IP-based systems and implementing text-to-911 capabilities, the importance of recognizing and appreciating the hard work of telecommunicators remains paramount. This week, let us join in thanking and commending all public safety telecommunicators in Michigan for their dedicated service in safeguarding lives with compassion.