By Cristin Ross

cross@jacksonvilleprogress.com

It’s a tough job — thank goodness somebody has the dedication to step up and dispatch law enforcement and medical personnel to the scene of an emergency.

To honor Texas’ dispatchers and 9-1-1 operators Gov. Rick Perry recently proclaimed this week as Public Safety Telecommunicators Week.

“Public safety telecommunicators are dedicated men and women who are invaluable in responding to the needs of Texans in emergency situations throughout the Lone Star State,” Perry stated in a release submitted to the Daily Progress by the East Texas Council of Governments. “As 9-1-1 operators and dispatchers, public safety telecommunicators are dedicated to saving lives, improving communications with emergency personnel and the public and providing life-saving information through sometimes stressful and intense situations, while doing so in a professional and caring manner.

“At this time, therefore, I encourage all Texans to extend their appreciation to public safety telecommunicators. They serve with distinction, placing their fellow Texans first. Together, their expertise and commitment highlight the best of the Lone Star State,” he said.

Officials with the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Department echo those sentiments.

“They work very very hard and I’m very happy with the job they do,” Cherokee County Sheriff James Campbell said. “It’s a very stressful job that not everyone can or wants to do. I’m proud to have each and every one of them.”

Cherokee County employs nine dispatchers who expedite calls for the sheriff’s department, Texas Department of Public Safety, Texas Parks and Wildlife, 12 county fire departments and the police departments of the cities of Wells, Alto, New Summerfield, and occasionally Rusk and Cuney.

“We really have a teriffic group,” said Heather Jones, sergeant of the county’s dispatchers. “They work 12-hour shifts.”

The council of governments works closely with the 10 county 9-1-1 regional call centers located in 17 of the Public Safety Answering Points as they work to support the citizens they serve through 9-1-1. At these centers, 150 employees are telecommunicators.

“I would like to encourage citizens to make an effort to recognize telecommunicators in their nearby police and sheriff’s department,” said Carolyn Flores, Director of 9-1-1 Emergency Services for the council. “These individuals are always there to provide support and comfort to the 9-1-1 caller during their greatest time of need, and are rarely thanked by those they help.”

The East Texas Council of Governments 9-1-1 Regional Program was formed by legislature and seeks to establish and maintain equipment, network, and database to preserve and enhance public safety and health through reliable access to emergency telecommunications services. The department is comprised of three divisions; database, GIS and administration. The regional 9-1-1 program includes Anderson, Camp, Cherokee, Gregg, Marion, Panola, Rains, Upshur, Van Zandt and Wood counties.

The East Texas Council of Governments is a voluntary association of counties, cities, school districts and special districts within the 14-county East Texas region. It assists local governments in planning for common needs, cooperating for mutual benefit and coordinating for sound regional development. Established in 1970, the council, either directly, or through its contractors, provides programs and services for East Texas seniors, employers, and job seekers. The council and its contractors also builds the 9-1-1 emergency call delivery system, provides peace officer training and homeland security planning services; and delivers rural transportation services, business finance programs, and environmental grant funding for its region.