As we reflect on the events of Sept. 11, 2001, the day also offers us a chance to recognize the 911 employees who work every hour of every day to keep our community safe.
Gov. Jay Inslee has proclaimed Sept. 11, 2015, as 9-1-1 Day in Washington state. Nationally, the day was first proclaimed by President Ronald Reagan in 1987.
Dispatchers are the mostly unseen members of the emergency services team, and are often called “the first first responders,” because they frequently have first contact with the victim, patient or witness.
In Issaquah, our Communications Center is a primary PSAP (Public Safety Answering Point) for the Issaquah and Snoqualmie police departments. It is staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year.
Our team handles more than 63,000 emergency and non-emergency calls each year.
Communications specialists receive and prioritize emergency and non-emergency calls, as well as provide clerical support for police operations. Communications specialists communicate on a multi-frequency radio console with police officers, public works staff and other responders as appropriate.
9-1-1 Day is a great opportunity for our community to recognize the tremendous contributions our dispatchers make to our safety and quality of life.