This week has been designated as National Public Safety Telecommunications Week, which is meant to recognize the importance of those special individuals who coordinate the efforts of police, fire, and EMS workers.

This includes dispatchers who many say are the unsung heroes of public safety.

They operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week — collecting initial information to pass along to first responders in the field. Often, they are able to give immediate lifesaving directions to the caller during medical emergencies or can be the calming voice to reassure the victim of a violent crime that help is on the way.

All Indiana State Police Telecommunications Operators must pass a written test, a typing test, appear before an interview board, and go through a background investigation before being hired.

Once employed they must endure weeks of training and continuous in-service training to maintain certifications on the latest technology and procedures.