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Roanoke County dispatchers urge residents to call 911 during National Telecommunicator Week
Summary
Roanoke County Emergency Communications staff recorded a message ahead of National Telecommunicator Week asking residents to call 911 without hesitation and to thank dispatchers for their work. Multiple dispatchers and supervisors described the range of calls they handle and their years of service.
Roanoke County Emergency Communications Department staff urged residents to call 911 and to thank dispatchers as National Telecommunicator Week approaches, in a brief recorded message that opened with staff introductions and appealed for public confidence.
The recording, delivered by several dispatchers and supervisors, highlighted the variety of incidents the department handles and encouraged people not to hesitate to call in emergencies. Staffers gave their years of service and described the personal rewards of working in emergency communications.
"What makes this job different every day is sometimes I'll be on like a vehicle fire call or sometimes we'll get a dog at large," said Cody Thompson, nighttime supervisor for Deep Platoon, describing the range of calls dispatchers manage.
Michelle Altice, a CEO 2 with the Roanoke County Emergency Communications Department, opened the message and identified the team. CTO McDonald said he has been with the department for six and a half years; Purdue, who identified themselves as CEO 2, said they have been with the department a little over two and a half years. A staff member who identified their role as "CEO 2 1" said they have worked with Roanoke County Dispatch for three and a half years.
Thompson also urged callers to be patient with the questions dispatchers must ask to get responders to the scene quickly. "So, it may sound frustrating in the moment and like we're not listening, but we are," he said. "Don't be afraid to call in. We're here to help you."
The recording closed by asking the public to give thanks to dispatchers for their service and repeating the reminder that, when an emergency occurs, residents should call 911.
No formal actions, votes or policy changes were announced in the recording; it served as a public outreach and awareness message ahead of National Telecommunicator Week.
