The Erie County Department of Central Police Services is joining counterparts nationwide to participate in National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week, an annual event held each April to recognize 9-1-1 call takers for their dedication and service during some of the most difficult moments in a person’s life. These dedicated employees play a key role in ensuring public safety across Erie County by responding to emergency requests and dispatching police, fire and EMS services 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
“Our 9-1-1 call takers are indispensable employees who provide protection and safety of the public due to their work helping provide life-saving assistance in a quick fashion. Our community owes them a huge debt of gratitude for the important work they do every single shift,” said Erie County Executive Mark C. Poloncarz. “We gladly recognize each of these professionals for their work and say thank you for their service to Erie County.”
The Erie County 911 Communication Center answered 730, 000 telephone calls and responded to 4,903 text messages for emergency services during calendar year 2025. As the number of mobile telephones increases the number of emergency calls from people using cell phones continues to rise, with approximately 93 percent of the total calls taken being received by some type of wireless device. The complexities of addressing emergency calls continue to rise with changes in technology and types of calls for service, which include responses to mental health calls and the needs of people with disabilities.
“The Erie County Central Police Services 911 Communications Center received approximately 730,000 calls for service in 2025, said Commissioner of Central Police Services Brian Ross. “Our 911 call takers and dispatchers are the silent heroes of the Public Safety community. As the first point of contact in moments of crisis, these amazing public safety workers obtain critical information during the most extraordinarily stressful moments.
Details matter in life and death situations, and our call takers and dispatchers do their best to obtain and relay critical information to our first responders on the scene. Our staff also provided step-by-step instructions to assist those experiencing some type of medical crisis. The importance of this informational relationship cannot be overstated. Everyone that dons a headset and sits at a 9-1-1 workstation, is a hero and they deserve recognition.”
National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week is being celebrated this year from April 12 through April 18.
For more information:
On the Erie County Department of Central Police Services, visit https://www3.erie.gov/cps/
