The Idaho State Police recognizes Emergency Communications Officers during National Public Safety Telecommunicator's Week

(Meridian) April 12-18, 2020, is designated as National Public Safety Telecommunicator's Week. It's an opportunity for public safety agencies and the public to recognize the critical work done in emergency communication centers across Idaho and the nation.

ISP Colonel Ked Wills noted, "Governor Little said it first, but it's worth repeating. These emergency communications officers are the first, first responders. They are the human connection that ensures help gets to the people who need it most. The Idaho State Police could not perform its mission of changing and saving lives without these dedicated professionals. I'm so proud of the people serving in our communication centers and the work they do."

National Public Safety Telecommunicator's Week began in California in the early 1980s with a single law enforcement agency. It has since grown and includes state police, highway patrol, sheriff's offices, police departments, and fire and EMS agencies across the nation. In Idaho, public safety agencies across the state count on Emergency Communications Officers as integral partners in the provisioning of public safety services.

The Idaho State Police has two regional communication centers located in Coeur D Alene and Meridian. Emergency Communications Officers in these centers answer calls and relay information to ISP Troopers and others across Idaho. During CY2019, the communication centers handled/processed:

225,223 - Computer-Aided Dispatch calls for service

6,430 - traffic collisions

15,917 - 9-1-1 transfer calls

112,724 -*ISP (*477) type calls

30,256 - Administrative phone calls answered

Although official recognition ceremonies for ISP ECOs have been postponed, due to the COVID-19 situation, Idaho State Police Communications Captain Kevin Haight said this about the work done in ISP's Regional Communication Centers, "The Emergency Communications Officers at the Idaho State Police are the critical link between people who need help and the ISP Troopers who assist them. They work in our communication centers 24 hours per day, 365 days per year, and regularly sacrifice holidays and other important events with friends and family. It is difficult to express just how important the work these people do is to the citizens of Idaho."

In 2017, Idaho passed laws requiring minimum training and certification requirements for ECOs. Each Emergency Communications Officer or dispatcher as they are referred to in some agencies, must complete the Idaho Post Academy basic ECO Training within one year of being hired by a public safety agency. Continuing education of 40-hours every two years is also now required for each POST certified ECO.

For more information on ISP Regional Communication Centers or a career as an Emergency Communications Officer, go to www.isp.idaho.gov/communications.