Designating Week of April 14 as National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week

O-5 FIRST IN COUNCIL April 8, 2024 City of Cambridge MAYOR SIMMONS COUNCILLOR TONER WHEREAS: In 1991, the United States Congress proclaimed the second week in April to be National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week, recognizing the invaluable role of 911 professionals in emergency response; and WHEREAS: The Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials (APCO) has been instrumental in promoting National Telecommunicators Week nationwide, honoring the commitment and diligence of these professionals; and WHEREAS: Emergency Telecommunications Dispatchers (ETD) in Cambridge operate the City's Emergency Communications Center tirelessly, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year, providing an essential service in times of need; and WHEREAS: Cambridge's ETDs have consistently demonstrated exceptional dedication and professionalism, answering an average of 152 emergency calls and approximately 350 non-emergency calls per day in 2023, amounting to approximately 181,000 calls annually; and WHEREAS: The forecasted increase in dispatched calls for service and processed calls in 2024 highlights the growing importance and demand for these skilled telecommunicators, and the City recognizes that the unwavering commitment of its public safety telecommunicators warrants our profound gratitude and appreciation, not just during a designated week but throughout the year; now therefore be it ORDERED: That the City Council go on record acknowledging April 14 – April 20, 2024, as National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week in Cambridge; and be it further ORDERED: That the City Clerk be and hereby is requested to forward a suitably engrossed copy of this resolution to the Emergency Communications Center on behalf of the entire City Council.