The Province of British Columbia has proclaimed April 4 to 10, 2021, to be known as Emergency Service Dispatchers and 9-1-1 Awareness Week.
We are the first, first responders. In 2020, we answered over 1.8 million 9-1-1 calls. Every day, we come into work ready to handle whatever emergency may come in, whether it be rain, snow, smoke, moths, staffing shortages, or operational changes. Over the past year, we have had to overcome critical staffing shortages, rapidly implement physical and technological solutions to make the workplace as safe as possible (including standing up the Training Centre as an additional centre), and bear the increased psychological challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic.
I want to take this opportunity to say THANK YOU for everything that you do. Our jobs are dynamic and stressful, and we do not always have an opportunity to pause and take stock of the hundreds of lives that each of us impacts every single day. I’m so proud of each and every one of you, but more importantly I want you to realize how proud you should be of yourself and your brothers, sisters, and friends. This week, remember to take a few moments to reach out to your coworkers and show your appreciation for everything they do. Let them know how they support and inspire you, and how they help you get through each and every shift.
We are 9-1-1.
Thank you for everything you do to keep each other and the public safe. As a small token of appreciation, we will be distributing stickers with our new logo throughout this week and next week.