Police, fire, EMS chiefs salute dispatchers for their service

ROCHESTER - New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu today proclaimed this week New Hampshire Public Safety Telecommunications Week echoing the sentiments of Rochester's police and fire chiefs as well as Frisbie's EMS director who on Wednesday sent out a press release stating their wish to to thank Rochester's radio dispatchers who work around the clock to keep the community safe.

Gov. Sununu stated in the proclamation that dispatchers "are the most important contact citizens have with emergency services, and are the most vital link for police, firefighters and other responders, as they monitor their activities on the radio and provide information to ensure the safety of the public."

Gov. Sununu added that dispatchers exhibit "compassion, understanding and professionalism while contributing substantially to their communities."

Rochester safety officials added their own kudos.

"The Rochester Public Safety Communications Center is staffed with exceptional employees, who are well trained and dedicated to the profession," read a statement sent out on Tuesday from Police Chief Paul Toussaint, Fire Chief Mark Klose and EMS director Gary Brock. "They work all hours of the day; weekends and holidays, often missing milestone events with family.

"The dispatch team plays a critical role in the three departments performing their individual missions.

"The initial call always begins with them. They are the lifeline people do not see, behind the scenes and away from all the sirens and emergency vehicles," the statement read.

While on the job, dispatchers learn from their callers many critical details that are important to responding emergency services. Without the ability to manage chaos over the telephone, public safety agencies would be helpless and outcomes could often be worse.

The job is stressful and tough, the chiefs and director noted.

"We want to publicly thank the professional team in Rochester's Communication Center; Andrea, Andrew, Ellen, Jen, Jody, Kayla, Maddie, Michelle, Nicole, Sarah, Tiffany, and our per diems Candace, Keri and Rebecca.

"The rest of us could not do what we do without you," Toussaint, Klose and Brock added in the statement.

National Telecommunication's Week runs from April 8-14.