National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week will be observed from April 11 through April 18, recognizing the important work of public safety telecommunicators in emergency response. The week is dedicated to honoring those who serve as the first point of contact during emergencies.
The observance highlights the vital role that dispatchers and call-takers play in ensuring community safety. These professionals are often referred to as the ‘first’ first responders because they provide immediate assistance and guidance before other emergency personnel arrive on scene.
El Paso County Sheriff Joseph Roybal said, “During this week, we honor the dedication and hard work of our EPSO telecommunications team, including dispatchers, call-takers, dispatch technicians, trainers, and all public safety telecommunicators who respond when called upon.” Roybal also said, “As we celebrate alongside the grand reopening of our Regional Communications Center, we recognize these professionals as the true ‘first’ first responders, the calm in the storm, and the voice of compassion for our community.”
Roybal noted that in 2025 their team achieved an average 911 call answer time of just over seven seconds. He said nearly ninety percent of calls were answered within fifteen seconds and almost 285,000 calls for service were processed across law enforcement, fire departments, and medical emergencies. “To our unseen heroes behind the console,” Roybal said. “Thank you for your service. Your commitment, kindness, and professionalism save lives and help keep our law enforcement officers and first responders safer every day. We are truly grateful.”
The El Paso County Sheriff’s Office marked a significant milestone with its Regional Communications Center’s grand reopening in summer 2025. The center serves unincorporated El Paso County as well as most municipalities except Colorado Springs by handling both emergency (911) and non-emergency calls. It provides services for eight law enforcement agencies and twenty fire agencies.
Recent technological improvements have increased efficiency at the center. Enhanced Emergency Call Back technology resolved hundreds of abandoned wireless calls automatically via text message without operator intervention. Additionally, integration with alarm answering points allowed thousands of alarms to be processed electronically.
In total during 2025, more than seventy-seven thousand emergency calls were managed along with over one hundred thirty-four thousand administrative calls at the center; more than fifty thousand outbound calls were made to assist residents; text-to-911 services helped hundreds reach help when calling was not possible; pre-arrival instructions from Emergency Medical Dispatchers saved ten lives; eleven babies were delivered with dispatcher assistance.
