Roanoke proclaims April 13–19 as Public Safety Telecommunicators Week; 9‑1‑1 staff outline recent accreditations

City council on April 7 proclaimed April 13–19 as National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week and heard a presentation from Sonya Roman, who leads the city's 9‑1‑1 center, about the unit's recent certifications and community work.

Roman said Roanoke is among the busiest 9‑1‑1 centers in the Commonwealth and described the emotional intensity and public‑safety importance of telecommunicators' work. She told council the center recently received its sixth CALEA (Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies) accreditation award, expects APCO Agency Certified Training Program recognition in July, and is completing training to be recognized as a Missing Kids Readiness Center by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. She also described partnerships with the Charles W. Day Technical Education Center to develop a workforce pipeline.

Why it matters: 9‑1‑1 telecommunicators handle life‑critical calls and changes to staffing, training, or technology affect emergency response. Council's proclamation recognizes the role of dispatchers and highlights the city's investments in accreditation and training.

Details and context: Roman said the center answers "hundreds of thousands" of emergency and nonemergency calls and praised staff for professionalism and resilience. Mayor Joseph L. Cobb read the proclamation and acknowledged the team's work; the center's staff joined council for a photo at the dais.

Ending: Council members thanked the telecommunicators for their service; no formal action was required beyond the proclamation.