Elgin’s Police Department is one of thousands of public safety departments across the country recognizing National Public Safety Telecommunications Week, April 10-16, 2011.
“EPD has 16 full-time, four part-time and three supervisors working in its emergency communications department,” said Elgin Public Safety Supervisor Pete Sotos. “They respond to more than 900 incoming calls daily – emergency calls and dispatch requests while also providing life-saving assistance to our citizens.”
Sponsored by the Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials (APCO) International, National Public Safety Telecommunications Week annually honors emergency professionals.
Elgin’s Emergency 9-1-1 Center handles 600 incoming telephone calls, 185 emergency calls, 8,000 radio transmissions and 280 police calls for service and about 35 fire or medical calls for service every day.
“Employees must be well-trained to be able to discern emergency situations quickly,” said Sotos. “In addition, personnel in EPD’s communication’s department must also understand 17 different computer systems to do their job well.”
Sotos said that employees must be adaptable and skilled to be able to move through the hundreds of situations they face daily.
“The volume of calls is very high,” said Sotos. “Our employees are able to react quickly and efficiently and are very effective.”