Greenfield Recognizes National Public Safety Telecommunications Week

The frontline of the Greenfield Police and Fire Departments are getting their day, make that their week, in the sun.

April 12-18 is National Public Safety Telecommunications Week. The week, sponsored by the Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials International and celebrated annually, honors the thousands of men and women who respond to emergency calls, dispatch emergency professionals and equipment, and render life-saving assistance to the world’s citizens.

"Dispatch is the first point of contact for the public when they are in need of police, fire or EMS response,” said Deputy Inspector Brad Wentlandt. “These men and women are truly the lifeline for our citizens, police officers and firefighters and they perform remarkably under extremely stressful conditions every day.”

According to Wentlandt, Greenfield dispatchers handled more than 100,000 calls and almost 10,000 911 calls. The dispatch center handles all police fire and EMS calls for the city.  

"Most citizens have little reason to stop and think about the nameless, faceless individuals who safeguard public safety by working at public safety answering points," Police Chief Francis Springob said in a prepared statement at Wednesdays' Common Council meeting. 

"But everyday, millions of people nationwide and thousands of people in Greenfield depend on the skill expertise, and commitment of the women and men who work in our dispatch center."