SARASOTA COUNTY (WSNN) – The ‘first’ first responders are getting recognized …. that is the 911 operators. Rarely seen, but there when you need them.
The Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office is launching Operation Visibility, a campaign for the public safety telecommunication professionals on the Suncoast.
Spokesperson, Kaitlyn Perez, says 911 call takers have one of the toughest jobs in law enforcement, so that’s why they’re using next month to highlight them.
There are about 100 operators rotating shifts 24 hours a day. Perez says they average about 650,000 calls every year.
“Anytime anyone needs anything in Sarasota County, there’s going to be someone on the other end of that call,” Perez said. “An example is during Hurricane Irma. That emergency operation center was fully staffed, and many of those call takers were sleeping on cots, working overtime and still there to answer those emergency calls.”
While the campaign starts in April, you’re invited to submit words of gratitude starting today. It can be as short as a sentence or up to 250 words.
You can email Thanka911operator@sarasotasheriff.org.
Throughout next month, submissions will be shared directly with the sheriff’s office 911 operators, and its social media platforms.