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National Public Safety Telecommunications Week is April 14 – 20, 2019. The Chisago County Sheriff’s Office is honoring Public Safety Emergency dispatchers who serve as the lifeline between people in need and vital law enforcement, medical and fire services. These Public Safety Emergency dispatchers have dedicated their careers to providing superior service to the residents of Chisago County, tourists and those passing through the area. In most cases, the Emergency dispatcher is the first contact a person in distress will have with Emergency Responders and can make the difference between life and death.

In 2018, the Chisago County Emergency dispatchers answered more than 92,000 telephone calls, including 21,000 Emergency 911 calls.

Day in, and day out, hundreds of citizens depend on the skill, expertise and commitment of the Chisago County Emergency dispatchers who work in public safety communications: 24 hours a day and seven days a week. These team members help save countless lives by handling emergency telephone calls, dispatching law enforcement, medical and fire resources, and providing support to people in distress. A normal workday for them is anything but routine.

Public safety dispatchers must undergo a rigorous testing and background process before being hired. After they have been hired, they must attend a two week classroom training followed by 4-6 months of on-the-job training before the new dispatcher is allowed to work independently.

This week, during National Public Safety Telecommunications Week, celebrate the valuable contributions that our Public Safety Emergency dispatchers make on a daily basis. We are incredibly fortunate to have such talented and dedicated professionals who work so hard to serve the citizens and all emergency responders of Chisago County. Please join us in thanking them for doing an excellent job at fulfilling a critical role in Chisago County public safety.

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