By Sarah Roebuck
National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week (NPSTW) is an annual event that recognizes the dedication of the 911 community. It honors the vital role 911 telecommunicators play in responding to emergencies in homes, schools and on roadways, providing critical life-saving services every day.
This year’s NPSTW falls from April 14 through 20. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s National 911 Program has gathered a variety of resources to help you celebrate your colleagues and other 911 centers.
1. “Thank you” video from NHTSA’s National 911 Program Coordinator
In this video, Brian Tegtmeyer, Coordinator of NHTSA’s National 911 Program, extends support from the entire public safety community. He acknowledges the crucial work of telecommunicators and thanks them for their role as the nation’s first responders. The video also highlights the importance of self-care for telecommunicators, both during this week and beyond.
2. “Thank you” letter from NHTSA’s National 911 Program
This personal letter from the National 911 Program recognizes NPSTW, expressing gratitude to telecommunicators for assisting citizens during emergencies and celebrating their efforts to keep communities safe. You may replicate and display this letter in your center as a gesture of support.
911 Thank You Letter by Sarah on Scribd
3. Templates for social media posts
911.gov said people are free to use these two templates to make social media posts to acknowledge National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week. They express gratitude to telecommunicators for their lifesaving contributions to their communities and highlight the 911 Telecommunicator Tree of Life, a platform for sharing inspiring stories. You can download the template by clicking here.
4. Tree of Life stencils
The Tree of Life is an effective visual tool that highlights the impact telecommunicators have each time they enter a public safety answering point (PSAP). It’s perfect for commemorating any successful outcome, whether it’s saving someone from cardiac arrest or assisting with the delivery of a newborn. You can download templates in both full-color and black-and-white to print or paint onto a wall, as well as an artwork file for professional printing. To download, click here.
5. Customizable certificate
A certificate from 911.gov can be personalized with the name and location of the PSAP to honor the outstanding skill, dedication, and service of its telecommunicators on behalf of NHTSA’s National 911 Program. To download, click here.
6. Add a leaf to the 911 Telecommunicator Tree of Life
National 911 organizations have developed the 911 Telecommunicator Tree of Life website to celebrate the exceptional efforts of 911 telecommunicators. Each submitted name forms a “leaf” on the virtual tree, symbolizing the telecommunicators and 911 centers honored by their peers. Show appreciation for your colleagues by adding a leaf in their name by clicking here.