SUBJECT: National Public Telecommunicators Week

Date: April 9, 2007

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Lt. Haug 

In celebration of National Public Telecommunicators Week (April 8-14) the Post Falls Police Department would like to recognize the Emergency Communications Officers (ECO’s) for all they do.  Each year, the second week of April is dedicated to the men and women who serve as public safety Telecommunicators (dispatchers). 

Whether it is a citizen calling the police to report an accident or an alarm company notifying police of a commercial alarm, the police department’s communications center handles thousands of calls for assistance each year. The communications officers are the lifeline for the community and the patrol officers. They are the initial contact with individuals in need of services and therefore must project a positive and supportive image. 

Duties of a communications officer are broad. In addition to performing a variety of clerical and administrative tasks, the communication officer’s primary responsibilities revolve around receiving information from the public and other law enforcement agencies concerning various emergency and non-emergency situations, and providing the information to the appropriate responding units.

During 2006, the Post Falls Communications Division handled in excess of 25,000 calls for service for the Cities of Post Falls and Rathdrum.  At times, the job of the Communications Officer becomes very stressful. On many occasions, a call is received from someone in a crisis situation in need of police, fire or EMS assistance. The communications officer must be able to calm the caller so the necessary information can be obtained. The officer must then effectively relay the information to responding units and agencies.

The safety of police officers involved in emergency situations often falls on the shoulders of the communications officer. They are a Patrol Officers link to assistance while on the scene of a crime, disturbance or accident.       

The communications officers play a vital role in the department’s ability to serve the citizens of our community. With their skills and dedication to duty, the department would is able to fulfill its obligations to the citizens. It takes a special type of person to be a communications officer. He/she must be alert, levelheaded and above all quick thinking.

Thank you to all of our Emergency Communications Officers:  Shannon Denny, Vicky Dowd, Carmel Abblitt, Suzi Koep, Michaela May, Nancy Schmuland, Amanda Hughes, Laurie Lanham, Brianne Pitt, Jennifer Nixon, Beverly Dinkel-Arford, and Supervisors Joanie Huska and Charlene Holbrook for all you do.  Each of you is an indispensable link between the patrol officers and the public.  You should be commended for your dedication and professionalism.  The reputation and image that our department enjoys is due in large part to the excellent manner in which you have performed your duties. 

AUTHOR: Lt. Haug