The Los Angeles County Fire Department joined with colleagues throughout the public safety community in paying tribute to our 9-1-1 Dispatch Center personnel as part of “National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week” from April 8-14, 2018. The annual tribute was established by a resolution enacted by the United States Congress in 1991.
Fire Chief Daryl Osby, Chief Deputy Dawnna Lawrence, and Deputy Fire Chief Thomas Ewald took time to visit with our dispatchers on Tuesday and Thursday to express their gratitude for the outstanding service they provide to the residents and visitors of Los Angeles County. The administrative staff of the Special Services Bureau went the extra mile to celebrate with plenty of cake and treats for everyone to enjoy.
“Our telecommunications personnel are to be commended for their dedication, hard work, ability to rapidly address emergency response needs, and to assist first responders with critical requests,” said Fire Chief Daryl Osby.
LACoFD fire dispatchers are known for their high level of expertise and unwavering commitment in providing the public with life-saving instructions each time they answer a call to 9-1-1. One example was highlighted on Thursday, when Fire Dispatcher II Fabio Castillo and Long Beach Fire Dispatcher Emily Heaslet were honored at the California Public-Safety Radio Association’s 30th Annual Telecommunicators Awards Banquet. The duo was awarded as runners up in the Outstanding Performance by a Team category for the exceptional support they provided to a father who called for assistance after his pregnant wife’s water broke.