Washington County recognizes emergency communications staff

WASHINGTON — In a proclamation Tuesday morning, Washington County Supervisors voted unanimously to declare their own week of recognition for public safety telecommunicators from April 10-14, overlapping with a federal declaration of the same effect.

“Telecommunicators are the first and most critical contact our citizens have with emergency services,” said the proclamation, which was read aloud by Supervisor Jack Seward Jr. “These dedicated men and women are the first responders, and are more than anonymous voices on a telephone line.”

Seward called the declaration “timely” in light of severe storms in the area around the start of the month, which sent emergency responders to the scenes of several collapsed houses and downed power lines.

“The radio system and those folks, communicators, that operate that system, I think, need to be commended,” he said. “I think everyone needs to give them a word of thanks and praise.”

County Dispatch Supervisor Cara Sorrells said the proclamation was appreciated by those personnel.

“Most people, when there’s a tornado, go into their basement, and my staff comes in and works, and sets of sirens, and helps,” she said. “We also couldn’t do it without everybody else. We’re part of a big team that’s not just law enforcement and public safety. That is county roads, that’s public health, that’s public works, that’s EMS, fire, it’s everybody. And Washington County has the best team that I can think of.”

Comments: Kalen.McCain@southeastiowaunion.com