They do not get to see the joy on the face of worried parents as they see their child begin breathing on its own, after it has been given CPR.ĭispatchers sit in darkened rooms looking at computer screens and talking to voices from faces they never see. They can only hear of the bright orange flames leaping from a burning building. They miss the excitement of riding in a speeding car with lights flashing and sirens wailing. I have found in my law enforcement career that dispatchers are the unsung heroes of public safety. I said, "I thought it was a calling."Īnd so is dispatching. Someone once asked me if I thought that answering telephones for a living was a profession. I have always admired a letter written by a colleague of mine, Police Chief Thomas Wagoner that truly expresses the feeling first responders have for dispatchers. For two of those years, Christel designed and supervised the construction of our new Dispatch Center, and so to honor her, we’ve decided to name our Dispatch Center after her.Ĭhristel was one of many 911 dispatchers in Ukiah and elsewhere, who work long hours to ensure our safety, and I am one of many first responders who is incredibly grateful.
Christel had been a dispatcher for our department since 1988, and had worked in our Dispatch Center for more than 24 years. Sadly, a year ago we lost dispatcher Christel Cash to cancer. This year, celebrating Dispatcher Appreciation Week in Ukiah has two purposes: first, to recognize the countless, everyday ways dispatchers keep people safe, and second, to honor one dispatcher who was instrumental in protecting people in Ukiah.
Even though dispatchers can't see what’s happening, they are the eyes and ears of emergency responders-our guiding angels who ensure that the right responders get to an emergency as fast as possible, and who keep responders safe as they help people in crisis. Emergency (911) dispatchers are the first people you talk to when you call with a crisis. This week is Dispatcher Appreciation Week.
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