Region to celebrate its 9-1-1 personnel

Appreciation event caps National Public Safety Telecommunicators’ Week

The Kansas City Regional 9-1-1 System will honor the emergency communications personnel responsible for processing 9-1-1 calls in a celebration scheduled for Friday, April 16, 2010, from 6–10 p.m., at the Doubletree Hotel Overland Park-Corporate Woods, 10100 College Boulevard, Overland Park, Kan.

This week has been designated as National Public Safety Telecommunicators’ Week — a time to honor the unsung heroes who staff the nation’s 9-1-1 centers and other emergency dispatch locations. These professionals work long, stressful hours serving citizens and saving lives, usually with little or no recognition.

Over 400 public safety personnel from nearly 50 public safety answering points (PSAPs) will attend the 9-1-1 celebration Friday night. This is the 13th year MARC has hosted the Telecommunicators Appreciation Celebration.

Mark Clegg of NBC Action News-KSHB-TV 41 will serve as master of ceremonies. Entertainment will include the Shawnee Mission North Strolling Strings and local dance band, Cherry Bomb. Betty Knight, presiding commissioner of Platte County, Mo., will also speak at the event. Knight serves as co-chair of the region’s Public Safety Communications Board.

The regional 9-1-1 system includes Cass, Clay, Jackson, Platte and Ray counties in Missouri and Johnson, Leavenworth, Miami and Wyandotte counties in Kansas. Each 9-1-1 answering center is operated by area local governments. All 9-1-1 calls are handled by highly trained professionals who undergo extensive training in public safety communications. The Mid-America Regional Council (MARC) provides administrative and coordination services for the 9-1-1 system.