FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
The second week of April is set aside nationally to honor those that provide the voice to our emergency services across our country. Springfield-Greene County 9-1-1 Emergency Communications will honor their telecommunicators April 11-17.
We recognize the outstanding service of 9-1-1 telecommunicators during observance of National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week. The Springfield-Greene County 9-1-1 Emergency Communications Department will honor employees with activities and events to highlight the week, including an official proclamation signed by Mayor Ken McClure, City Manager Jason Gage, the Commissioners of Greene County and Greene County Administrator Chris Coulter.
“Celebrating the front-line folks at 9-1-1 who answer the call morning, noon and night is what this week is all about,” Director Kris Inman said. “Our 9-1-1 telecommunicators are dedicated public servants who exist largely behind the scenes, but the work they do deserves to be seen and celebrated. It is a true honor to get to represent them and the incredible work they do every day.”
In 2020, telecommunicators answered more than 267,000 9-1-1 calls and more than 497,000 calls overall.
“When those in our community need us, they rely on the ‘first’ first responders on the other end of the phone line,” said Assistant Director J.R. Webb. “We are so very fortunate to have such highly trained and committed staff in our Operations Center, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.”
The department received more than 85% of calls in 2020 from a wireless device. These numbers continue to increase each year. ‘Text-to-911’ capability was formally implemented in 2018 for the rare cases when people are unable to communicate audibly via the telephone. They have received approximately 47 ‘text-to-911’ calls each month in the past year.
The 9-1-1 Emergency Communications Department proudly dispatches for 13 fire agencies and nine law enforcement agencies who all work well together and provide excellent public safety response for our community.
The fire agencies include:
- Ash Grove Fire Protection District
- Battlefield Fire Protection District
- Bois D’Arc Fire Protection District
- Brookline Fire Protection District
- Ebenezer Fire Protection District
- Fair Grove Fire Protection District
- Logan-Rogersville Fire Protection District
- Republic Fire Department
- Springfield Fire Department
- Strafford Fire Protection District
- Walnut Grove Fire Protection District
- West Republic Fire Protection District
- Willard Fire Protection District.
The law enforcement agencies they serve include:
- Ash Grove Police Department
- Battlefield Police Department
- Fair Grove Police Department
- Greene County Sheriff’s Office
- Republic Police Department
- Springfield Police Department
- Strafford Police Department
- Walnut Grove Police Department
- Willard Police Department.
In addition, the Springfield-Greene County 9-1-1 receives the initial 9-1-1 calls for medical assistance that are transferred to Cox Health or Mercy Emergency Medical Services (EMS) for dispatch.
“Our user agencies are such a key component to citizen safety, and our staff are dedicated to doing their part to keep them safe,” Inman said.
Citizens are reminded to contact 9-1-1 when they need police, fire and/or emergency medical ambulance response.
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For more information about 9-1-1 and presentations, please contact: Director Kris Inman at 417-829-6208 or [email protected]; or Assistant Director J.R. Webb at 417-829-6210 or [email protected].