Alexandria, VA — Communities across the U.S. will recognize those who help save lives in times of personal or national crisis during National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week (NPSTW), April 13 – 19, 2014.

Initially conceived in 1981 by Patricia Anderson of the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office in California, Telecommunicators Week was created to raise public awareness of the hard work and dedication of public safety telecommunicators. In October 1991, APCO International successfully lobbied to receive a formal proclamation by Congress, renaming the week National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week to recognize all public safety communications professionals who provide a vital link to the public safety services on which Americans rely every day.

“NPSTW gives us the opportunity to recognize public safety telecommunicators across the country who work hard every day to protect our communities by performing mission critical tasks behind the scenes to support police, fire and emergency medical personnel,” said Gigi Smith, president of APCO International.

The general public can honor their calltakers and dispatchers by participating in local celebrations or sending thank you notes to their local communications center. The Association of Public-Safety Officials (APCO) International has established an NPSTW blog where agencies can share celebration ideas, along with photos of this year’s festivities. Citizens can share thoughts of gratitude and personal stories.

Learn more about NPSTW at npstw.org.

APCO International® (www.apcointl.org)
APCO International is the world’s oldest and largest organization of public safety communications professionals and supports the largest U.S. membership base of any public safety association. It serves the needs of public safety communications practitioners worldwide – and the welfare of the general public as a whole – by providing complete expertise, professional development, technical assistance, advocacy and outreach.