Mayor Harkins Honors Stratford Dispatchers for

National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week

Mayor Harkins with Dispatchers Annie and Bruno

Mayor Harkins with Dispatchers Annie and Bruno

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Mayoral Proclamation

STRATFORD – Today, Mayor John Harkins was joined by a contingent of Town Hall personnel including Public Safety Director Larry Ciccarelli, Chief Administrative Officer Chris Tymniak, EMS/Dispatch Director Mike Loiz, EMS Administrator Kevin Giasullo and Dispatch Supervisor JP Sredzinski in presenting a proclamation in recognition of National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week.

A portion of the proclamation reads: “The safety of our first responders is dependent upon the quality and accuracy of information obtained from citizens who call the Stratford Public Safety Communications Center and whereas public safety telecommunicators are the first and most critical contact our citizens have with emergency services…each dispatcher has exhibited compassion, understanding and professionalism while performing their job in the past year.” according to Mayor Harkins.

“The team of call takers and dispatchers here in the center monitor all phones and all radios 24/7/365.  It makes a lot of sense that we take the time during this week to say thanks for all they do,” said Director Mike Loiz.

The Stratford Public Safety Communications Center is a primary public safety answering point which takes in hundreds of 9-1-1 calls every week.  They are the dispatch center for all police, fire and emergency medical services for the Town of Stratford.  There are eleven full-time dispatchers along with one part timer and the Supervisor for the department.

“Telecommunicator Week is a great way to officially recognize the dedication and hard work of those that serve in our Communications Center” said Police Chief Patrick Ridenhour. “The work they do is critical to public safety as a whole and we are very appreciative of their efforts.”

“The people in this room have heard it all over the phone: violent domestic fights, home invasions, babies born, people in cardiac arrest, kitchen fires and more.  They are specially trained to process the calls and provide instructions to callers while at the same time sending help as quickly as possible to make sure Stratford residents get the help they need” said Dispatch Supervisor JP Sredzinski.

National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week runs from April 10-16, 2016.  In addition to the Proclamation, there have been special lunches for staff to recognize their work.

To learn more about National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week: http://www.npstw.org/

To learn more about Stratford Public Safety Communications Center: https://www.stratfordems.org/services/dispatch/