BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) \u2014 A tradition 45 years in the making, originating in Contra Costa County near San Francisco, but it\u2019s now celebrated nationwide.<\/p>\n
This week is National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week, or more commonly called Dispatcher Appreciation Week.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe dispatchers are incredible,\u201d Andrew Clark with the Bakersfield Fire Department said. \u201cThey\u2019re the first ones that answer a call in an emergency. They\u2019re the calm voice behind the chaos.\u201d<\/p>\n
Dispatcher Appreciation Week is a time to recognize the voices behind the answering line, voices like Skylar Johnson, a fire one dispatcher.<\/p>\n
Woman injured after being struck by vehicle in e-scooter hit-and-run: BPD <\/a><\/p>\n \u201cThis is my dream job. I want to be here long term,\u201d Johnson said. \u201cI was born and raised here in Kern County, and I think community should be our number one, always. And taking care of our community.\u201d<\/p>\n These public servants are the first line of defense. Another day in the office for them is commonly the caller\u2019s worst day of their life.<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s probably the hardest part, listening to people that are in desperate need of help when they need it the most, trying to save their loved one,\u201d Johnson said. \u201cFor a lot of us here at the center, we get these really hard calls, and we don\u2019t know what happens after the fact. We just pray and hope for the best.\u201d<\/p>\n However, not all calls are bad.<\/p>\n \u201cWe have calls where children are born, and the dispatchers will walk through every step of delivering a child,\u201d Clark said. \u201cIf you know a dispatcher, please tell them thank you.\u201d<\/p>\n To show your appreciation, please do not call 911; leave that for emergencies.<\/p>\n