INDIANAPOLIS - From April 13-19, Indiana joins the nation in celebrating National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week (NPSTW), saluting the men and women who are the first to respond in emergencies. Public safety telecommunicators serve as the critical link between people in crisis and first responders.
From the first ring to the last word, Indiana's 911 dispatchers are the ones guiding first responders to where help is needed most. They work behind the scenes, but their impact is front and center in every emergency across our state.
State Treasurer Daniel Elliott, who serves as Chairman of the Indiana Statewide 911 Board, shared his gratitude for these everyday heroes.
"When people are facing the worst moments of their lives, it's the voice on the other end of 911 that brings calm to dangerous situations," said Treasurer Elliott. "These dispatchers may not wear a badge or drive a cruiser, but make no mistake—they are just as much heroes. They stand watch day and night, guiding help to where it's needed most."
Across the state, 2,369 public safety telecommunicators staff 117 public safety answering points (PSAPs). In 2024, they answered 3,944,944 911 calls and processed170,653 911 texts. Eighty-nine percent of the 911 calls received are from cellular phones. Whether it's a house fire, a car crash, or a medical emergency, they're the first to answer and the last to hang up—often offering comfort and quick guidance until help arrives.
"In every emergency, before the sirens sound or lights flash, there is a voice you hear and a face you never see. That voice is a 911 telecommunicator," said IN-911 Executive Director Jeff Schemmer. "They are the true first responder in every crisis. Their compassion reminds us that heroes don’t always arrive in person—sometimes, they’re just a voice away."
During this week and all year long, communities across Indiana are encouraged to recognize and thank their local dispatchers--the calm in the chaos and the unseen backbone of public safety.
To learn more about Indiana's 911 system please visit IN911.net.
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