PUBLIC SAFETY TELECOMMUNICATIONS WEEK

It’s the week to acknowledge public safety telecommunicators from the Monmouth County 9-1-1 Communications Center for a job well done as part of National Public Safety Telecommunications Week, held from April 8th- 14th. “This is a great opportunity to say thank you to all the public safety telecommunicators for their hard work and commitment in maintaining public safety,” said Sheriff Shaun Golden. “These dedicated men and women play a critical role in saving lives, and all too often that hard work goes unnoticed.”

To commemorate the week, Freeholder Lillian G. Burry presented a proclamation to Senior Public Safety Telecommunicator John Cuccia of Manalapan and Public Safety Telecommunicator Michael Katz of Freehold at the Board of Chosen Freeholder’s meeting on April 12th. Both also received a special certificate of achievement for perfect attendance in 2011. “We are grateful for this recognition and honored to work with such a fine group of people. As public safety telecommunicators, we take pride in the fact that we have the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of others,” said Cuccia and Katz.

The Monmouth County 9-1-1 Communications Center, staffed with 84 public safety telecommunicators, provides a high level of 9-1-1 services to 49 local jurisdictions, dispatches for 15 police departments, 53 fire departments and 26 first aid squads.

“These men and women do an exceptional job serving the County 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and deserve much credit for their dedication and professionalism,” said Freeholder Lillian G. Burry.

The Monmouth County 9-1-1 Communications Center received more than 12,000 calls the weekend of Hurricane Irene. On average, the 9-1-1 Communications Center answers an estimated 1,180 calls per day. “Our public safety telecommunicators worked tirelessly during the storm, and, deserve a great deal of acknowledgement for their continued efforts,” said Sheriff Shaun Golden. “Without their commitment, police officers, firefighters and EMTs across Monmouth County would not be able to perform their daily duties in a safe and effective manner.”

In 1991, Congress proclaimed the second week in April as the nationally recognized week of National Public Safety Telecommunications Week, recognizing the crucial role of public safety telecommunications personnel.