This Week is National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week

Polk County, MN — Not all heroes wear capes.  Some wear headsets.

April 10-16, 2022 is National Public Safety Telecommunications Appreciation Week.  It is a time when we thank our telecommunications personnel who serve our citizens and public safety agencies 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Polk County has 10 full time telecommunicators who serve Polk County and surrounding areas, fielding more than 32,000 calls annually.  Their work isn’t seen by many people aside from public safety personnel; however, they play a vital role in keeping our communities safe, according to Polk County Commissioner Joan Lee.

Lee says she’s experienced first hand the type of work that telecommunicators are responsible for, and it takes a special person to be able to do it.

Polk County Telecommunicator Supervisor Nancy Shafer says that today’s Telecommunicators operate a lot differently than they did in the past and have to think faster, work harder, all while remaining calm while there is chaos around them. She also notes that they hear everything from a road report to a serious life-threatening medical call on a regular basis.

This week, make sure to thank your telecommunications personnel and recognize them for the heroes they are.