5 days Ago By By LARRY STANFORD NEWS REPORTER [email protected]
GRIFFIN — The Spalding County Board of Commissioners proclaimed Apr. 13-19 as National Public Safety Telecommunications Week at the BOC’s Apr. 7 meeting.
District 2 Commissioner James Dutton read the resolution, which states in part: “Whereas, emergencies can occur at any time that require police, fire, or emergency medical services; and “Whereas, when an emergency occurs, the prompt response of law enforcement officers, firefighters, and paramedics is critical to the protection of life and preservation of property; and “Whereas, the safety of our first responders is dependent upon the quality and accuracy of information obtained from citizens who communicate with the Spalding County Emergency Communications 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 law enforcement officers, firefighters, and emergency medical services by monitoring their activities by radio, telephone, text, and computer messaging, providing them information, and ensuring their safety; and “Whereas, public safety telecommunicators of Spalding 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; and “Whereas, employment of public safety telecommunicators is projected to grow 4% from 2023 to 2033, with about 11,500 openings projected each year; “Whereas, public safety telecommunicators play a crucial role in the community by providing life-saving instructions, supporting victims of crime, and ensuring the safety of first responders; and “Whereas, the impact of their work extends beyond the emergency calls, affecting their families and social interactions due to the stress and emotional toll of their duties; “Now, therefore, be it resolved, that the Board of Commissioners of Spalding County, Georgia, declares the week of April 13-19, 2025, to be National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week in honor of the men and women whose diligence and professionalism keep our county and citizens safe.” Spalding County E-911 Communications Director Ricardo McCrary and deputy director Laloni Smith accepted the resolution. McCrary thanked the commissioners for their “continuous support for the Spalding County 911 Center and the endeavors that we take on every day in serving the citizens of Spalding County.
“Without the commitment from Spalding County Sheriff’s Office, Griffin Police Department, Spalding County Fire Department, Griffin Fire Rescue, and Wellstar Spalding EMS Service, we would not be able to serve the citizens,” continued McCrary. “We choose to do this professionally every day with commitment and dedication. We do appreciate you being behind us 100% in all of our endeavors.
”.
