Local Dispatchers Being Recognized For Work

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 The men and women who serve as public safety dispatchers are being recognized this week for their service during National Public Safety Telecommunications Week.
 
Red River Regional Dispatch is one of many agencies taking part.

Day after day, these everyday superheroes take calls that can mean life or death.

This is Patricia Taylor’s 7th year at Red River Regional Dispatch.
 
“It is a hard job, but it’s the most rewarding job I think anybody could ask for as well,” said Taylor.
 
National Public Safety Telecommunications Week is a chance to recognize people like Taylor and those she works with.
 
“It is kind of a little nice,” said Taylor.
 
The office is celebrating the week with a few different events and giveaways.
 
“A lot of little recognitions and celebrations. Today they’re doing a baked potato bar; yesterday they did tacos in a bag,” said Dispatch Director Mary Phillipi.
 
It’s a nice break for Taylor.

Calls can range anywhere from a dog barking too loud to a baby needing CPR.

There’s one moment however she remembers all too clear.
 
“The toughest call would be a 14-year-old who found her mother hanging. That was probably the worst call that I’ve had,” said Taylor.
 
If you think being a dispatcher means you only take phone calls, you may want to think again.
 
Director Phillipi says intense training is required for the job.
 
“We put them through a 21 week training program.
They learn how to take calls, they learn how to dispatch, they learn how to give instructions for CPR and baby delivery,” said Phillipi.
 
70,000 calls go through this center on an annual basis.
 
“It’s absolutely rewarding. We don’t, we couldn’t ask for a better job, really. I mean we get to help people every single day. You never know what you’re gonna run into when you come to work,” said Taylor.
 
A week of giving thanks to the men and women who help save lives every day.
 
Phillippi just took over as director of Red River Regional Dispatch, replacing retiring longtime director Byron Sieber.