Clearfield County Commissioners proclaim April 14-20 public safety telecommunications week | Local

CLEARFIELD –- The Clearfield County Commissioners proclaimed April 14-20 National Public Safety Telecommunications Week in Clearfield County.

The week is set aside to celebrate telecommunications personnel and thank them for their work serving residents and public safety personnel in communities throughout the nation.

The county’s 911 Coordinator Jeremy Ruffner told the commissioners the men and women conveying calls for help in Clearfield County play a principal role in ensuring residents receive the type of help they need for their emergency situation in a timely manner.

“Clearfield County telecommunicators are often challenged with life and death situations. They are expected to handle these stressful situations with compassion, empathy, professionalism and be at their best while dealing with people who may be at their worst,” Ruffner said.

The county’s 911 center provides dispatching services for 75 agencies including six police departments, 15 emergency medical services stations and 36 fire departments.

Clearfield County 911 currently employs 18 full-time and four part-time telecommunications. Last year the staff processed 101,827 calls for assistance resulting in 39,910 calls for service.

Chairman Dave Glass said that number averages to more than 100 calls per day. “That’s a lot of calls,” he said.

“We have an amazing staff. Our dispatchers staff the Clearfield County 911 call center 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. They work overnight and on holidays to ensure the safety of the residents of Clearfield County. They are always prepared to assist callers in a wide range of emergencies with the utmost care and compassion,” he said.

Ruffner said the dispatchers are often not visible in the community but the work they do provides a vital link between residents and the first responders.

Commissioner Tim Winters said he wanted to thank the call center’s employees. “They do a great job for the entire county.”

Ruffner said residents can express their thanks to Clearfield County dispatchers by filling out a brief form available at https://forms.office.com/r/G9cRQuJ104.