When you need help the person you often talk to first is the 911 dispatcher, and this week we celebrate their hard work and dedication to the job.

April 12th - 18th is National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week, according to the NPSTW website, "this is a time to celebrate and thank those who dedicate their lives to serving the public. It is a week that should be set aside so everyone can be made aware of their hard work and dedication."

Duluth Police Chief Mike Tusken posted on Facebook, "Today, more than ever, we rely on you to guide us and we thank you for your tremendous service to our community and first responders!"

The Minnesota State Patrol also took the time to acknowledge the hard work of dispatchers with a look behind the scenes of their dispatch center, which can handle up to 300 calls per hour.

The week of recognition started in 1981 by Patricia Anderson of the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office in California. If you want to learn more about how the April tradition got started, you can read more here.

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