April 11, 2008 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (SH2008-29) FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION R. Steve Huffman Public Information Officer (251) 208-2857/Fax: (251) 208-2861 E-Mail: huffman@cityofmobile.org NATIONAL PUBLIC SAFETY TELECOMMUNICATIONS WEEK The Mobile Fire-Rescue Department proudly honors the men and women who serve as public safety dispatchers during National Public Safety Telecommunications Week, April 13-19. Sponsored by the Association of Public Safety Communications Officials (APCO) International and introduced to Congress in 1991, this week has been set aside to honor the many Public Safety Dispatchers who aid in providing 9-1-1 emergency assistance to citizens everywhere and whose hard work and dedication provides a vital link to the public safety services on which we have come to rely on every day. Sooner or later in life, most of us find a reason to call 9-1-1. When we do, we're fortunate to have someone trained and qualified to help us on the other end of the line. The term "9-1-1" is often associated with rapid emergency response, poise under pressure, aid and compassion in times of distress and critical decision-making within seconds. Many people don't stop to think about the seemingly nameless, faceless individuals who answer 9-1-1's call until they experience actual emergencies themselves. These public safety dispatchers make the difference between life and death in many instances. The Mobile Fire-Rescue Department has 13 public safety dispatchers who process tens of thousands of calls from 9-1-1 per year (approximately 30,578 emergency calls in 2007), plus many more non-emergency calls. These same dispatchers dispatch all fire-rescue units in the City of Mobile. Our dispatchers are certified Emergency Medical Dispatchers (EMDs), trained to talk callers through medical emergencies, such as CPR, controlling bleeding and baby delivery, until firefighters and firemedics arrive. ###