Melbourne Salutes Public Safety Communicators
By Space Coast Daily // April 16, 2013
Critical Unit Serves Community's Emergency Needs
BREVARD COUNTY • MELBOURNE, FLORIDA – The city of Melbourne is among the communities across the country observing National Public Safety Telecommunications Week starting Sunday as a way of saluting the individuals who provide emergency communication services, often in life or death situations.
Some of the staff members who work in the Melbourne Police Department Communications Center appeared before the city council earlier this week to receive a proclamation for the observance.
Melbourne Police Commander Vince Pryce, who is responsible for operations of the center, said the observance allows the city to recognize and thank public safety men and women who receive emergency calls and dispatch emergency professionals and equipment during times of crisis.
He said that Melbourne’s communications center employees receive emergency calls directly from the community and then dispatch both police and fire departments.
Pryce said emergency responses require extensive training and teamwork.
“The week-long event recognizes 9-1-1 call-takers, dispatchers, technicians that maintain radio and emergency phone systems, communications staff trainers, communications center personnel and other public safety telecommunications staff across the country,” Pryce said. “These are people who work tirelessly, often behind the scenes, to help during emergencies.”
National Public Safety Telecommunications Week originated as a local observance in California in 1981.
An annual observance across the nation gained final Congressional approval in 1994.
