This week, April 12–18, 2026, communities across the nation observe National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week, a time to honor the dedicated professionals who serve as the first, first responders in emergencies.

In Dubuque County, our 911 dispatchers at the Dubuque County 911 Emergency Communications Center answer that critical call every day. They are the calm voices on the line during life’s most chaotic moments—medical emergencies, crimes in progress, traffic accidents, natural disasters, and mental health crises. Working behind the scenes at the modern facility on Chavenelle Drive, they coordinate police, fire, and EMS responses with speed and precision.

The job demands exceptional skill under pressure. Dispatchers juggle multiple calls, radio channels, and computer systems while gathering essential details, providing pre-arrival instructions (such as CPR guidance), and offering reassurance to frightened callers. They operate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, including holidays and severe weather events common to the Upper Midwest.

Our center is staffed by a team of full-time and part-time public safety dispatchers, supported by lead dispatchers and a communications supervisor. They complete rigorous training in telecommunicator protocols, emergency medical dispatch, CPR, and critical database systems. The recent opening of the state-of-the-art 911 center reflects the community’s commitment to supporting these essential workers with better technology and improved working conditions.

Often called “the first, first responders,” dispatchers turn panic into coordinated action. Their quick thinking and composure can mean the difference between life and death. Yet the role carries significant stress and emotional demands, including exposure to traumatic situations that can lead to burnout or secondary trauma.

To every dispatcher at the Dubuque County 911 Center—thank you.

Thank you for answering at 3 a.m., during blizzards, and on busy holiday weekends.

Thank you for your professionalism when callers are at their most vulnerable.

Thank you for the unseen work that keeps Dubuque and surrounding areas safer every single day.

National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week, first recognized in the 1980s and formalized by presidential proclamation, reminds us that successful emergency responses begin with you.

How You Can Show Appreciation

During this week and beyond, consider dropping off cards or treats at the center (check security protocols first), sharing thanks on social media with #NPSTW or #ThankADispatcher, or contacting local officials to support resources for these professionals.

Dubuque is fortunate to have such a skilled and committed team. Your vigilance, expertise, and humanity make our community stronger and more resilient.

Thank you, Dubuque 911 dispatchers.

You answer the call—so others can answer the call to help.

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