Mahalo, dispatchers
April 9 to April 15 was National Public Safety Telecommunications Week.
This is a time that our nation has set aside to recognize and honor all the 911 dispatchers that keep our communities safe. Emergency dispatchers are truly the first responders, as the majority of all emergency responses start with a frantic call. They are the calm voice at the other end of the line that is gathering important information, comforting a frantic caller, and dispatching the appropriate emergency service to their aid.
Here on the Big Island we have two call centers — one for police that dispatches our law enforcement officers where they are needed, and one for our fire department that dispatches firefighters to fires/rescues or medics to scenes where patients are in need of medical attention.
Our police department has approximately 32 dispatchers, and our fire department approximately eight dispatchers. These 40 individuals take every emergency call 24/7, 365 days out of the year. They work long hours in an enclosed environment taking calls from the very serious to the ridiculous and hold lives in their hands.
They take their work very seriously knowing that lives are at stake. They often agonize over calls that did not have a good outcome, worry how a call ended, and wonder if they could have done something more when a call ends in tragedy.
They are heroes that often go without the recognition they deserve. On a positive note – they understand that their career choice provides an important service for our community, and they are often responsible for lives being saved, and that keeps them showing up for work during holidays, birthdays, their children’s important occasions, during natural disasters, and when they just don’t feel they can do another shift.
If you know a 911 dispatcher, take the time to let them know how much you appreciate the sacrifices that they and their families make for our safety.
Let’s honor and celebrate all of our 911 dispatchers and all that they do for all of us.
Renee Godoy
Hilo
Not credible
In reference to (the April 19) letter from Michelle “Mikie” Kerr: Of course, I had to see what this link you provided led to.
Of course, it’s more of the same national stuff we are all hearing. I’m not going to believe this guy Austin (in the video) at all.
First off, he tells about going into a Walmart and getting put off because he was expected to wear a mask and then used the term “Nazis.”
I think many of you reading this know where I’m going.
Chill out, Michelle Kerr. Hawaii is still a ways away from turning into a big red state.
Regardless of anyone’s political affiliation, I personally don’t care for all this doubt about every little thing that goes on, especially in the political arena. As we all know, Fox News has already had to pay Dominion a ton of money for blasting out false information about voting and a false election result.
This smells of similarity, and it should stop already.
Keep spewing hate and doubt, etc. For sure, the state of Hawaii could improve in all areas, but as soon as I listened to the link and this guy Austin? I had to laugh.
Sorry, but he doesn’t strike me as a credible adult.
Kathy Awai
Waikoloa
