Valley Communications Center in Kent is celebrating this year’s National Telecommunicators Week April 10-16 to honor and recognize the professionals who handle thousands of emergency 911 calls each month in South King County.
Every year, the second full week of April is dedicated to the men and women who serve as public safety telecommunicators. In 1991, Congress proclaimed it a national week of recognition.
These 911 calls require the immediate response of police officers, firefighters and paramedics to ensure the protection of life and preservation of property, according to a Valley Comm media release. Through their dedication, compassion, understanding and skill, these telecommunications professionals make sure residents get the help they need, when they need it.
When you dial 911, a telecommunications professional answers the call. You can help by knowing where you are, by staying on the line, and by following the directions given so the telecommunicator can provide the assistance you need. Valley Comm staff said you can rest assured there will be someone on the other end of the line ready to help.
“Our 911 operators remain calm during a crisis so that they can direct officers to help our community,” according to a Kent Police statement. “They instruct people how to give CPR, juggle multiple emergency calls at a time, assist our officers in gathering critical data during high risk calls and so much more.”
Valley Comm began in 1976 when the mayors of Auburn, Kent, Renton and Tukwila entered into an interlocal agreement to consolidate their police and fire dispatching services into one organization. In 2000, the city of Federal Way joined as the fifth owner agency. Valley Com provides emergency communications for 22 police, fire and medical agencies in South King County and is the largest combined 911 Com Center in King County.
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