ITHACA, N.Y. (WHCU) – The Tompkins County Department of Emergency Response (TCDoER) will honor its staff for National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week (NPSTW).

Monday will mark the beginning of a week of recognition. 911 Communications Center Manager John Halaychik tells WHCU the people at the TCDoER are among the best he’s ever worked with.

The 911 Center took approximately 140,000 calls in Tompkins County in 2022. About 30,000 of those were emergency calls. Dispatchers have emerged as the first point of contact for people seeking help during an emergency. Halaychik says they’re happy to recognize the people who provide a service that goes largely unnoticed.

In addition to recognition, the Director’s Award and Dispatcher of the Year will be handed out next week.

“It is an honor for me to recognize the staff at our Emergency Communications Center for the work they do day in and day out to keep our communities safe,” said Director of Emergency Response, Michael Stitley.