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National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week Recognizes
Michigan’s Emergency Telecommunicators
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 10, 2025
LANSING, MICH. The State 911 Committee (SNC) is recognizing Michigan telecommunicators and their vital contributions to public safety during National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week April 13-19. In Michigan, the SNC is privileged to honor those who serve in this important role in our state.
“Let’s take a moment to honor the incredible individuals behind every 911 call, the telecommunicators,” stated Ms. Amy Thomas, State 911 Administrator. “More than just a voice on the other end of the line, they are compassionate, resilient and dedicated professionals who serve our communities with unwavering commitment. They are the steady presence in moments of crisis, offering calm when panic sets in and strength when fear takes hold. They celebrate the saves, grieve the losses and carry the weight of every call long after the line goes silent. Their impact is lasting, their service is essential and our gratitude extends beyond these seven days.”
In Michigan, 911 centers serve as the primary point for dispatching police, fire and EMS responses. In addition to answering and dispatching emergency calls, telecommunicators also provide pre-arrival instructions for police, fire and medical calls, activate weather alerts, coordinate additional incident scene response such as medical examiners, child protective services, hospitals, road commission, utility and public works department notifications, callouts for specialized response teams such as search and rescue, SWAT, negotiating teams and hazmat response teams.
Telecommunicators receive calls through many different 911 dialing systems including wireless, land-line telephones, Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP), smart devices and text messages.
The Chair of the SNC, Mr. Jeff Troyer, stated, “National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week is a very special week dedicated to the first responders who answer calls and text messages for help. Please join me in thanking and commending the public safety telecommunicators throughout the state of Michigan who consistently safeguard lives with compassion.”
The SNC was established in accordance with Public Act 79 of 1999. It is a 21-member organization that works to promote the successful development, implementation and operation of 911 systems across Michigan.
Quick Facts about 911:
• On February 16, 1968, Alabama Speaker of the House, Mr. Rankin Fite, made the first 911 call
from the Haleyville City Hall.
• Today there are 130 primary Public Safety Answering Points (PSAPs) in Michigan.
• According to the SNC’s 2024 Annual Report to the Michigan Legislature, of the counties and
service districts that reported, telecommunicators in Michigan answered: 6,042,765 calls to 911;
29,533 texts to 911; and 7,091,143 calls from non-emergency 911 lines.
• There are more than 2,200 telecommunicators in Michigan.
• Certified 911 telecommunicators in Michigan must complete at least 80 hours of basic and
advanced dispatch training within their first 24 months of employment, maintain continuing
education requirements by participating in approved courses and accumulate at least 24
continuing education hours every 24 months.
• Michigan currently has 82 counties converted to an IP-based service, which allows for more
advanced Next-Generation 911 call handling. One county is working through the process.
• All of Michigan has deployed text to 911.
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MEDIA CONTACTS:
Ms. Amy Thomas, 517-643-5901, [email protected]
Mr. Jeff Troyer, 269-488-6616, [email protected]
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