Behind every emergency call, there’s a team of dedicated professionals working tirelessly to keep our communities safe. Intrado previously hosted a Share.Solve.Evolve webinar to highlight National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week. During this session, we heard firsthand from Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) and Emergency Communication Center (ECC) personnel about how they celebrated National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week (NPSTW). It was a chance to showcase the incredible work these unsung heroes do every day.
Recognizing the Unsung Heroes
NPSTW is all about shining a light on 911 professionals—the calm voices on the other end of the line when people need help the most. Our panelists, representing agencies from Massachusetts to Florida, shared how their centers made the week special, from themed activities and scavenger hunts to community outreach efforts.
A Shift in Recognition: More People Are Taking Notice
One big takeaway from the discussion was the additional recognition 911 professionals are getting. Many panelists said they saw an outpouring of appreciation on social media, with partner agencies, businesses, and community members jumping in to say thanks. Some centers even had more officers, firefighters, and EMS teams stopping by in person to show their gratitude.
Brian O’Neal, a communications specialist in Massachusetts, said during the webinar, "A lot of my family members don’t really know what I do… but this year, everyone was reaching out and saying happy National Telecommunicators Week. It was all over social media, and it just felt like a lot more attention was being brought to it." That kind of awareness is a big step forward.
Creative and Fun Ways to Celebrate
This wasn’t just another year of pizza parties (although, let’s be real — pizza is always a win). Centers went all out with unique and interactive celebrations. Here are some standout ideas:
- 911 Bingo – Operators marked off common call types and radio traffic to win prizes.
- Life-Sized Board Games – Springfield-Greene County 911 turned their center into a giant game of Candy Land and Battleship, bringing some fun competition into the mix.
- Community Video Messages – Gallatin County 911 put together a heartfelt video featuring messages from the public thanking their dispatchers.
- Family & Baby Photo Guessing Game – Employees brought in childhood photos for a fun guessing challenge.
- Incubating Chicken Eggs – One center even hatched baby chicks, giving employees a unique bonding experience (and some adorable new mascots).
These activities didn’t just make the week fun—they boosted morale and brought teams closer together.
Keeping the Momentum Going
The appreciation shouldn’t stop when NPSTW ends. Many of our panelists emphasized the importance of maintaining that energy all year long. Whether it’s regular words of encouragement, professional development opportunities, or peer support programs, keeping morale high is a team effort.
Aubrey, a training officer in West Palm Beach, said during the webinar, "This was my first year actually coordinating NTW for our agency, so just to see more interaction and more people participating was really refreshing."
How to Get the Community More Involved
911 professionals don’t always get the same level of public recognition as other first responders, but that’s changing. Our panelists shared ideas on how to continue raising awareness, such as:
- Attending community events and block parties to connect with the public.
- Hosting dispatch center tours to show people what goes on behind the scenes.
- Partnering with local media and using social media to highlight dispatcher stories.
- Engaging with schools to introduce students to careers in emergency communications.
Looking Ahead to NPSTW 2025
As we reflect on NPSTW 2024, we’re already looking ahead to this year’s celebrations. National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week 2025 will take place from April 13-19, 2025, and we look forward to continuing to highlight the incredible work of our nation’s telecommunicators. Intrado remains committed to supporting and promoting these dedicated professionals and helping communities show their appreciation. Whether it’s through small acts of gratitude, workplace improvements, or advocacy for change, we can all do our part to support the people who answer the call—literally—when we need them most.
Missed the webinar? You can catch the full conversation here: Intrado Share. Solve. Evolve. A Conversation with 911 Professionals on Celebrating Heroes and Honoring Telecommunicators from Coast to Coast
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