BUCKHANNON – The Upshur County Commission approved a proclamation last Thursday recognizing April 12 through 18 as National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week in Upshur County.
The observance honors the dispatchers and emergency telecommunicators who answer emergency calls and help coordinate police, fire and emergency medical responses across the county.
The proclamation says telecommunicators are often the first and most critical contact residents have with emergency services. It also says police officers, firefighters and paramedics depend on accurate information from the Upshur County Emergency Telecommunications Center during emergencies.
It further says telecommunicators provide a vital link for emergency personnel by monitoring activity by radio, sharing information and helping ensure responder safety.
The commission’s proclamation credits local telecommunicators with helping in the apprehension of criminals, suppression of fires and treatment of patients, and it praises dispatchers for their compassion, understanding and professionalism.
The full proclamation: National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week (April 12-18, 2026)
Whereas emergencies that require police, fire or emergency medical services can occur at any time; and,
Whereas when an emergency occurs the prompt response of police officers, firefighters and paramedics is critical to the protection of life and preservation of property; and,
Whereas the safety of our police officers, firefighters and paramedics is dependent upon the quality and accuracy of information obtained from citizens who contact the Upshur County Emergency Telecommunications center; and,
Whereas Public Safety Telecommunicators are the first and most critical contact our citizens have with emergency services; and,
Whereas Public Safety Telecommunicators are the single vital link for our police officers, firefighters and paramedics by monitoring their activities by radio, providing them information and ensuring their safety; and,
Whereas Public Safety Telecommunicators of Upshur County have contributed substantially to the apprehension of criminals, suppression of fires and treatment of patients; and,
Whereas each dispatcher has exhibited compassion, understanding and professionalism during the performance of their job in the past year;
Therefore, Be it Resolved that the Upshur County Commission declares the week of April 12
through 18, 2026, to be National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week in Upshur County, In honor of the men and women whose diligence and professionalism keep our city and citizens safe.
