VIDEO: They are oftentimes the first line of defense in an emergency, yet many people don’t ever see their faces, just hear their voices. This week is National Dispatchers Week, a time to recognize 911 operators for their dedication and resilience in emergency situations.
911 dispatchers are the first line of first responders. While they aren’t out on the streets like firefighters, EMS crews, or police, they are a critical link in the chain when it comes to getting the help you need in an emergency and you will likely never know their names.
In , Iowa, the Communications Center is the centralized hub for all emergency calls. “So all of the calls come to us both emergency and non-emergency. The dispatchers take those calls, and then determine what somebody needs and dispatches those resources, said Wendy Hess, Communications Center Director for Woodbury County.