The safety of the public and emergency responders frequently depends on a group of highly trained professionals who are heard far more often than they are seen. The South Walton Fire District honors these skilled men and women during National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week April 12-18, 2015.
Introduced to Congress by the Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials (APCO) International in 1991, National Public Safety Telecommunications Week is the second week of April each year. SWFD is dedicating this week to our Public Safety Tele-Communicators who aid in providing 9-1-1 emergency assistance to the citizens and visitors of South Walton.
SWFD Communications Operators are certified as National Academy Emergency Medical & Fire Dispatchers, Florida Public Safety Telecommunicators and Basic Life Support providers in CPR/AED. In addition, most are trained by the International Association of Public Safety Communications Officials (APCO) in Public Safety Telecommunications & Fire Service Communications.
These certifications allow them to provide lifesaving instructions for medical, trauma, time-life, rescue, fire and catastrophic emergencies while maintaining emergency responder safety with accurate and timely information updates.
“SWFD Communications Operators bear vast responsibilities in a chaotic barrage of calls and radio transmissions. This unique breed of specialists play a vital role in the delivery of public safety services to those in need. More than just a voice on the other end of the line, these heroes behind the headsets often save lives on a daily basis,” said David Roark SWFD Communications Director.
South Walton Fire District’s 911 Communications Center is staffed 24 hours a day / 365 days a year and processes nearly 25,000 calls for service and dispatch nearly 5,000 responses annually.
For further information or questions, please contact David Roark, SWFD Communications Director droark@swfd.org or visit our website at www.swfd.org.
