Jumpline magazine JUNE 2023 pages - Flipbook - Page 40
40
Natl. Public Safety Telecommunicators Week
How important is it
to be seen.
Or is it more important
to be heard!
I believe that one is just as important
as the other. In 1994, President Bill Clinton signed President Proclamation 6667
declaring the second week of April as National Public Safety Telecommunicators
Week (NPSTW). I’m glad he did. During
NPSTW we are both seen and heard. The
recognition we receive during the second
week of April is appreciated. Although we
do not expect any accolades, we as dispatchers, sometimes feel
invisible.
NPSTW in 2023 kicked off on April 9th; a time set aside just
for us. With the blessing of management, we planned activities
to give us needed relief from a stressful work environment, often
from sad and difficult days. It was our time to let loose, and more
importantly, feel a sense of gratitude. We were celebrated and
recognized for the work we do and the lives we help save. As for
me, mental health is a key component in all of this, and National
Public Safety Telecommunicators Week releases the pressure
from the stress and strife we choke down because of the work
we do. This triggers a relaxation response, meaning we are in
a much calmer workspace, which makes for a less anxious environment.
During NPSTW we were spoiled beyond measure, and we like
that! Lunch was provided by a different sponsor daily and with
delicious food and sweets, man it was dizzying. The recognition
that we received as a collective made us feel valued. This year,
for the first time, other local communication centers recognized
us. The Miami-Dade County Police Communications Center delivered a tray of sweet treats to us. So grateful for that. In return,
we also sent thank you cards and fun items to Aventura, Miami
Gardens, and Miami-Dade County communication centers to express our gratitude for what they do as well.
The food, oh, the food. It consisted of arroz imperial from
the Hispanic American Firefighters Association on Monday. On
Tuesday, AMR served us baked ziti. Wednesday’s meal was
provided by Motorola which consisted of a variety of pasta dishes. Thursday’s feast was hosted by the Progressive Firefighters
Association, who brought us PDQ chicken sandwiches along
with an assortment of side salads. Friday was my favorite – Jamaican jerk chicken with rice, peas and all the fixings. A huge
thank you goes out to the executive staff and the division for
that. On Saturday, Local 1403 topped it off with Famous Dave’s
barbeque. Unfortunately, I was off, so I missed both Friday and
Saturday’s meal. But, not having to worry about lunch for a week
was heavenly. In addition, we also had themed days during the
week, where we got to jump out of our uniforms and play dress
up. We had Mardi Gras Day, Fiesta Day, and Back to the Future
Day, just to name a few. For Back to the Future day, I dressed up
in my late 80’s hip hop gear; thick gold chains and all.
June 2023 | JUMPLINE Magazine
Veronica “Ronnie” Solomon
MDFR Dispatcher
