Celebrating the Vital Americans that Power our 9-1-1 Systems

By Adam Cassady, Acting Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information

Public safety telecommunications professionals are a lifeline for their communities. 

Each and every day, they model the best of public service by answering and dispatching our emergency calls, working 12-hour shifts with frequent overtime, managing multiple emergencies at once, and missing holidays and family events while looking out for their “second families”—the police, fire, and EMS officials who depend on them. 

This week, April 13 to 19, is recognized as National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week, and NTIA understands the importance of ensuring that 9-1-1 telecommunicators and emergency responders have access to the innovative and emerging technologies they need to perform their lifesaving work. 

Cutting-edge technology can streamline emergency processes and expedite response. By leveraging these tools, telecommunicators are equipped to provide lifesaving information to address every crisis – from providing CPR to someone who has stopped breathing to identifying the exact location of a stranded motorist trapped in rising water. 

Our nation’s telecommunicators make an immeasurable impact on their communities, and NTIA supports giving these professionals access to future technological enhancements like AI, multimedia capabilities, interoperable networks, and more that will keep their focus where it belongs—on connecting with and providing critical information to first responders in our communities.

This National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week and every week, NTIA offers sincere gratitude to all telecommunicators for their resilience, patience and dedication.